Asson Zoo

Zoo d'Asson is a zoological park in the town of Asson, nestled at the foot of the Pyrenees between Pau and Lourdes, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of southern France. Open since 1964, the park spreads across roughly 5 hectares and is home to close to 500 animals from around a hundred species, set among lush mountain-foot vegetation.

What animals live at Zoo d'Asson?

The park is known for its big cats — visitors can see a white tiger, a snow leopard, and an ocelot. Alongside them live monkeys, lemurs, pygmy hippopotamuses, red pandas, blue duikers, and numerous bird species, including macaws, satyr tragopans, turacos, and cranes. The park stands out for how it presents its animals, favoring open, naturalistic spaces over traditional cages.

Free-roaming zones

One of the park's main draws is its walk-through enclosures. Lemurs with their young move freely along the visitor paths, and kangaroos roam an open area without fences separating them from guests. This setup allows for close but safe contact with the animals.

Tropical greenhouse and reptiles

The park also features a tropical greenhouse housing reptiles and large fruit bats. This section has its own climate, warm and humid, letting visitors observe species adapted to rainforest conditions.

Jurassic Zoo — a journey through time

Since 2019, part of the park has been dedicated to a themed area featuring life-size dinosaur reconstructions placed among the vegetation. This section blends education with entertainment, taking visitors through the history of life on Earth millions of years ago as they walk among the prehistoric models.

Where is Zoo d'Asson located?

The park sits in the municipality of Asson, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, along the route between Pau and Lourdes. Its location at the foot of the Pyrenees means the surrounding area also offers scenic mountain views, setting it apart from zoos located in urban settings.

Who is this destination for?

Zoo d'Asson is designed primarily with families in mind, though the Jurassic Zoo section and the diversity of species also appeal to nature lovers of all ages. Pathways follow gentle slopes, making the visit easier for people with varying levels of mobility. The park holds the "Tourisme et Handicap" label, confirming its accessibility for visitors with disabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Zoo d'Asson open? The park has been operating since 1964 and has steadily expanded since then, adding new areas such as the free-roaming enclosures for lemurs and kangaroos and the Jurassic Zoo section, which opened in 2019.

How many animals can visitors see at the park? The zoo is home to around 500 animals representing close to a hundred species, ranging from big cats and primates to birds and reptiles.

Can visitors walk inside animal enclosures? Yes, the park offers free-roaming zones where visitors walk among lemurs and kangaroos without separating fences.

Is the park accessible for visitors with disabilities? Yes, Zoo d'Asson holds the "Tourisme et Handicap" label, and its pathways follow gentle slopes that make it easier to get around year-round.