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The Animals and Fauna that you can see in Chamonix and the Alps

Chevreuil en Chamonix

To find out more about this stunning valley, explore the animals and natural habitats throughout Chamonix by visiting one of the zoos or nature reserves.

Here you can find a variety of plant and animal life that you might not see outside the reserves.

Merlet Animal Park

To get to Merlet Animal Park from Les Houches, cross the river and take the road up to Le Coupeau. The Parc Animalier de Merlet is not a zoo - the park is a huge open area with the animals roaming free.

This is an opportunity to see deer, chamois, ibex, marmots, llamas and more.

Picnics and dogs are forbidden to protect the wild nature of the animals.

See our dedicated Merlet Animal Park page to find routes, prices and opening times.

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: from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m & 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Other periods: from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m & from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Entrance Fee:

Adult: €5.50
Children (6-14): €3.80
Group prices from 15 people: €4.50 per adult, €3.50 per child.

More Information:

La Fontaine
+33 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 an altitude of 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.
from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. & from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

More Information:

Chalet du col des Montets
2906 route des Montets
+33 4 50 54 02 24

Swiss Alpine Zoo: Les Marécottes

The Alpine Zoo Marécottes is at 1100 meters altitude, surrounded by forests of pine and larch.

About 35,000m2, 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.

Schedule:

In winter: from 10 a.m. until the tomb of the night.
In summer: from 9 a.m. until the beginning of the night.
 
Hours: From 12 Sept 2022 to 15 June 2023
Every day from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
 
From 16 june 2023 to 15 Sep 2023
Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 9 p.m
 
 
Restaurant le Zoo
Hours: From 12 Sept 2022 to 31 May 2023
Every day From 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
 
From 1 st June 2023 to 15 Sep 2023
Every day From 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
 
Swimming pool
From 11 September 2022 to 15 June 2023 - Closed.
Opening from June to mid-September every day from 9 a.m. until midnight.

More Information:

Les Combasses 3
1923 Les Marécottes, Switzerland
+41 2 77 61 15 62