To find out more about this stunning valley, exploring the Chamonix Animals and Nature, visit one of the zoos or nature reserves. Here you will find a variety of plant and animal life that you might not otherwise see.
Animal Parc of Merlet
From Les Houches, cross the river and take the road up to this park in Le Coupeau at 1562m. The Parc Animalier de Merlet is a park with mountain animals moving freely. It is not a zoo. You'll have the opportunity to see deer, chamois, bouquetins, marmots, llamas and more. Picnics and dogs are forbidden.
Open Schedule:
From 1st May to 30 September
May, June, Sept: 9.30am to 7.30pm (everyday except Mondays)
July, Aug: 9.30am to 7.30pm (everyday)
Entrance Fee:
Adults: 6 euros
Children (4-12): 4 euros
More Information:
Saint-Bernard Breeding Center
At the "Elevage de Saint-bernard aux Houches," between Servoz and Les Houches, at the Aire de la Fontaine exit, come see the breeding centre for St. Bernard dogs. Excursions last half an hour.
Open Schedule:
(everyday except Sundays and Monday mornings)
July / August / school holidays: 10am -11.30am / 2.30pm - 6pm
Other periods: 2pm - 5.30pm
Entrance Fee:
Adults: 4.30 Euros
Children: 5 -12 Euros
Group prices from 15 people.
More Information:
La Fontaine
+33 (0)4 50 47 23 60
Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve
The entrance is on the Col des Montets between Argentière and Le Buet.
The nature reserve extends from 1200m at Argentière, to 2965m at the summit of the Belvédère. A large diversity of plant and animal life is easily accessible here.
Open Schedule:
From June to mid-September.
9.30am -12.30pm / 1.30pm - 6.30pm
More Information:
Chalet du col des Montets
2906 route des Montets
2906 route des Montets
+33 (0)4 50 54 02 24
+33 (0)4 50 54 08 06
Swiss Alpine Zoo: Les Marécottes
The Alpine Zoo Marécottes is located at 1100 meters altitude, surrounded by forests of pine and larch. About 35,000 m2, you will discover most of our alpine fauna and flora in their natural environment, such as black bears, wolves, lynx, marmots, foxes, owls, deer, chamois, ibex, wild boar and other animals .
Open Schedule:
High season (July-August): 9am to 7.30pm
Low season (November-April: 9am to 5pm
Inter Season: 9am to 6.30pm
More Information:
+41 (0)27 761 15 62
