Asson Zoo: a family day out in a human-sized zoo

Located between Pau and Lourdes, the Asson Zoo is a unique, somewhat magical place to spend a very exotic day with the family! Since 1964, the Asson Zoo has been constantly reinventing itself for the well-being of animals and the pleasure of visitors. Exotic , tropical or island species evolve in 6 different spaces as close as possible to their natural environment. Each entry contributes to supporting actions for the preservation of endangered species in their natural environment. The visit to Asson Zoo is rich in activities: animal feeding, educational trail, discovery of species and their way of life, meeting with caretakers and even a one-on-one with dinosaurs. Come and spend an informative and captivating day!

Photos of the article © Zoo d'Asson and additional information below the photos

The zoo is open all year round, sometimes at night evenings in summer. Consult the park plan (in fr) to organize your discovery.

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Ethics, a passionate project

The Asson Zoo has existed since 1964, almost 60 years in the service of sharing and fun education, around the fascinating life of animals around the world. We only protect what we know well, so the Asson Zoo is not just an animal park, it is a learning space for the whole family, a place of ethics and conservation of animals threatened species. Awarded with numerous institutional recognitions and tourism quality labels, the Asson Zoo in Béarn transforms its spaces every year. Lush landscaping, evolution of animals in spaces adapted to their morphologies, constantly improved for their comfort and the immersion of visitors. It is a park that has evolved, while preserving its intrinsic values of respect for animals.

Everything is thought out to create an ecological and coherent whole, stimulating for the animals, attractive for the visitors. Stroll in the gardens with tropical vegetation, enter the greenhouses with adapted humidity and temperature where you will be as close as possible to the animals. To respect their life cycle and sleep, the open spaces are provided with refuge areas, so that the animals can come to meet visitors or rest.

To support endangered species and participate on its own scale, the Asson Zoo works in 2 ways:

• By promoting the reproduction of species on site in Asson, such as small parrots native to South Asia, the Loris.
• By contributing financially to various programs to fight for the protection of the environment and natural habitats, through programs carefully identified by the team of enthusiasts of the Asson zoo.
  
  

Children can come and organize their birthday party at the Zoo d'Asson! 2 formulas are available (in fr), it is a very nice gift to give to a child from 6 to 11 years old.

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Visit the Asson Zoo

Plan half a day to visit Asson Zoo. The tour of the park can be done in 2 hours, but it would be a shame not to participate in activities such as the feeding of animals which takes place several times a day, in different spaces. The Asson Zoo is a human-sized park, which is what families appreciate: There is space to have fun, walk and have fun, without tiring little legs!

You will take regular breaks to observe the animals (bring your binoculars). Play at being on the lookout, be discreet to enjoy the spectacle of these species that we do not see every day! Children are amazed both by the atmosphere that emanates from the place, and by the sight of the animals. It's an immersion in a welcoming jungle!

The Asson Zoo organizes special activities for groups and schools, ask for the program to compose a day of teaching around living things, surrounded by a team of enthusiasts, who like to pass on their knowledge.

The Lost Temple: the new area of Asson Zoo

Notice to adventure seekers! The Lost Temple will take you on a journey to the heart of the ruins of a forgotten Asian city… The Gibbons appreciate this homecoming with elements to hang out in, in an exotic atmosphere dotted with ruins. Observe inside the temple through the windows to look for giant Asian turtles and giant bats (wingspan of a mother from one wing to the other)… Then go inside from the greenhouse adjoining the temple to blend in with the tropical vegetation, specially chosen according to the diet of its guests. Birds, parrots, porcupines, they are free, sometimes joined by bats who come to say hello.

A botanical and exotic garden

These are the beginnings of the zoo! In the 1950s, the garden already existed, with its palm trees, cacti and bamboo. The animals arrived in the 60s to gradually complete this vegetal picture, now perfectly acclimatized and luxuriant. Plants and animals now intermingle, to merge into each other, in symbiosis. During your walk in the park, you will come across many plants: Orange trees, jasmines, magnolia, bananas, ginkgo, medlar, palm, eucalyptus ... The botanical inventory (in fr) has more than 170 remarkable species, which will delight garden lovers.

Asian animals

Asia is a continent undergoing profound change and many species are threatened by the destruction of their habitat and intensive poaching. One of the missions of Asson Zoo is to present them to the public, because it is almost impossible to see them in their natural state. In addition, the animals born in Asson are an irreplaceable genetic reservoir that directly participates in the preservation of these endangered species.

Meet Radja, the majestic white tiger. He is one of the big stars of the Asson Zoo. It neighbors with the slender snow leopards, the agile dwarf otters that glide on and under the water, the adorable little red pandas, the cranes and slender pink flamingos. It is a place where wonder is required! It may take some patience to see the animals in their best light, but the results will live up to your expectations!

The animals of Africa and Madagascar

Several familiar animals inhabit this part of the park, which looks like a savannah: zebras, antelopes, lemurs... Other more unusual, less “ media ” species will be presented to you. You will love the serval, a curious feline with big ears and a thin face like that of a cat. But also the mongooses and the great owls of Verreau.

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American animals

Come and meet the ocelots, strange animals between the panther and the leopard, a wild feline native to South America. He is deliciously cute with his big eyes, his powerful and penetrating gaze full of wisdom. Not far away are the maned wolves perched on particularly long legs to climb over the tall grass. Marmosets will put a smile on your face with their agile hands and lively movements. Patagonian hares roam freely in the midst of visitors!

The Park is labeled Tourism and Handicap, it is accessible to People with Reduced Mobility with gently sloping routes and two more inclined routes with a compensation route if necessary.

Australian kangaroos

A distant and fascinating land, Australia is so large that one would forget its island character. It is the host of many species, sometimes strange like the Kangaroo. It is a marsupial, that is to say that the gestation of its baby lasts only a few weeks and continues after giving birth, inside a ventral pocket provided with teats to feed it. 4 species of kangaroos are to be discovered at the Zoo d'Asson and some swings up to 9 meters in length!

Entertainment and activities to do

Visiting the park and discovering the animals is a wonder at Asson Zoo, but it is not the only thing to do! It is a place of learning and sharing.

You will enjoy walking along the 2 dioramas to learn more about other living things: dinosaurs. Truly and completely extinct species, they are nonetheless fascinating and shaped by our collective imagination and the audio-visual world. Come and disentangle the true from the false thanks to educational panels, specially designed for this unique presentation in a French zoological park.

Every day of the year, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (on average), you can attend the feeding of the animals. Highlights that punctuate the visits, a privileged moment to ask questions to the caretakers and observe the behavior of the animals, in the presence of the nurturing hand!

Do you dream of being a healer? The Asson Zoo offers absolutely exceptional days or evenings, to offer yourself or to offer as a sumptuous gift. A morning behind the scenes of the zoo (in fr), with a trainer (in a very small group of 3 people). You can ask any questions that come to mind. Experience to do also at the end of the day (in fr), but in a unique formula in France because you will be alone in tandem with an animal healer. These experiences can be carried out all year round. As a group this time, you can come to one of the morning VIP tours (in fr) organized by the zoo, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. For children aged 6 to 11, a discovery formula with a snack, the mini-healer (in fr), is like an immersion course in the zoo, with animals with a healer. Check the site for dates.

At the Zoo d'Asson, the staff are welcoming and friendly, you will have a great day, remember to bring your picnic! A snack offers a wide choice of drinks and fast food dishes as well as what to compose a gourmet snack. The shop offers cuddly toys, games, comics and toys on the world of animals.

The Asson Zoo is open all year round! We wish you a nice visit to this magical place to discover in Béarn Pyrenees.

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