A day in the holidays to the animal park in Gramat

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During your holiday in the Dordogne – Lot region, there will be days when you stay at your holiday park in France because there are plenty of things to do and plenty of facilities for you to enjoy on the park. Whether you are on holiday with your partner or with your family with children, it is wonderful to be able to relax together in the park's swimming pool. Some FranceComfort parks have holiday homes with a private pool or villas with a private jacuzzi, in such cases you may mainly use the facilities of your holiday home when on holiday. You can also head out and explore the area together, visit touristic villages,  admire nature or go to one of the many entertainment parks in the area. It is wise to plan this well in advance so that you are not faced with any unexpected disappointments. Of course, you want to make the most of every day when on holiday. Also be sure to visit an animal park for a day, this is a fun outing for every member of the family.

Gramat animal park during the holidays in the Dordogne

We recommend visitingthe beautiful animal park“Parc Animalier de Gramat” in the village of Gramat, in the Causses du Quercy. After a good night's sleep and a delicious French breakfast with croissants and baguettes, we advise heading out to the animal park from your holiday home in the Dordogne – Lot early in the morning. By heading out early, you will be able to wander around the park when it is not yet the hottest time of the day. The animal park is near Rocamadour and the Gouffre de Padirac. After you visit the Animal Park of Gramat, you can visit one of the various touristic hotspots in the area in the afternoon. The animal park is located in the Parc naturel régional des Causses du Quercy, a beautiful region with a wide variety of flora and fauna. The animal park offers a combination of nature, education and entertainment for families. If you are a nature lover and want to see European animals in their own habitat, then this park is a must. The animal park is home to more than 150 species, meaning there is a good chance you will see animals in this park that you have never seen before.Over 1000 animals live in the park ranging from endangered species to traditional domestic animals.

Animals in Gramat

  • Wolves
  • Bears
  • Lynx
  • Otters
  • Bison
  • Deer
  • Monkeys
  • Beavers
  • Ferrets
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Special animals in the zoo

Parc Animalier de Gramat houses no exotic animals such as elephants, tigers, lions or other animals that could be found at large zoos. The Animal Park of Gramat mainly revolves around European animals,  focussing on native and regional species. You will encounter several remarkable species such as:

  • Arctic foxes: Small, white predators that are well adapted to cold conditions.
  • Wapitis: A type of red deer with a striking antler structure.
  • Lynxes: Predators with characteristic ear tufts and a shy behavior.
  • Barbary macaques from Gibraltar: An endemic population of the Barbary monkey (Macaca sylvanus) kept in the park.
  • Otters and beavers: Aquatic mammals who are living in their natural habitat.

Facilities and activities

It is advisable to check in advance what facilities are available and which activities can be done, in the Animal Park of Gramat so that you know exactly what you do and do not need to bring.
Food and drink: A restaurant at the entrance offers a daily menu with mains, desserts and drinks. There are no extensive catering facilities in the park itself, which makes picnicking popular. So purchase extra bread for the whole family in the morning from the bread service at your holiday park.

Picnic areas: There is a special area where you can have a picnic. There are benches where you can sit. There are also benches scattered throughout the park where you can sit down and take a rest.
Sanitary: The only toilets in the park are at the entrance.
Playground: There is a playground where your children are free to play. You can also drive back and let your children play in the playground of the holiday park.
Parking: The park has good parking facilities so you don't have to walk a long way to get to the entrance.
Shop: At the exit there is a shop where you can purchase souvenirs and more.

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Features of the Animal Park of Gramat

The animal park is spacious and has an area of about 40 hectares. It will take about 3 or 4 hours to see all the animals properly and walk around the park, which is the perfect duration of an outing when on holiday with young children. The park has many trees which provide shade and block the heat of the sun during the summer. The animals' living spaces are spacious meaning they have enough room to move around freely. Some enclosures, such as those of the bears, have natural elements such as rock formations and glass walls so that you can get a good look at the bears. A special feature of the park are the three immersion enclosures, where you can see the animals up close. This creates a unique and interactive experience that is both educational and entertaining for kids and adults. Check on arrival when the feeding times of the animals are so that you can plan your visit around this. During such feeding time, an employee of the zoo will often give an explanation.

Tips for a successful visit

Preparation is important
Plan an itinerary in advance to make sure you visit all the main attractions. Also make sure you bring plenty of food and drinks and bring a buggy if you have small children, to ensure they do not get too tired. A buggy is also handy to bring if you want to visit a small village after the animal park. Nearby you’ll find the villages of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Figeac and Cahors.

Enjoy the Activities
Many zoos offer special activities such as workshops or shows. These are often great fun for children and offer an extra form of entertainment.

Make agreements
Agree with your children that they will stay together and that they will wait in a certain spot if they lose you. Use the playgrounds strategically; They're nice, but you don't want to spend the whole day there. In the afternoon you may want to visit some touristic villages or go canoeing on the Dordogne.

Climbing and scrambling
Give your children the opportunity to play in the playground. Children generally enjoy visiting a zoo, but after a few hours of intensively watching  animals, they need to relax and release their energy. This is better done in the playground than in the car when you are on your way back to your holiday park in the Dordogne – Lot.

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