La Ferme aux crocodiles

La Ferme aux crocodiles is a crocodile park in Pierrelatte, in the Drôme department of southern France, and it ranks as the most-visited tourist attraction in the department.

What is La Ferme aux crocodiles?

It is a zoological park dedicated entirely to crocodiles and alligators, housed inside a tropical greenhouse spanning roughly one hectare. Rather than open-air enclosures, visitors follow a network of walkways winding through dense tropical vegetation, getting a close view of the animals in surroundings that mimic their natural habitat. The greenhouse keeps a constant high temperature and humidity, allowing species from several tropical regions of the world to be kept year-round regardless of the weather outside.

How many crocodiles live in Pierrelatte?

The park is home to around 400 crocodiles and alligators spanning multiple species, making it one of the largest collections of its kind in Europe. That scale is what draws not only casual visitors but also people with a genuine interest in reptile biology and conservation.

How did the crocodile farm come about?

The park opened its doors in 1994 and drew strong visitor numbers from the very start. The original idea was for a genuine crocodile breeding farm: the founders initially planned to sell crocodile skins and meat to make the business economically viable, a pitch aimed at convincing cautious bankers to finance an unusual venture centered on reptiles. That commercial breeding concept was dropped early on in favor of an animal park built around scientific and educational goals, the mission the site still follows today.

Why is it worth a visit?

Beyond the sheer number and variety of animals, the park stands out for how it presents them: the walkway route threads through lush tropical planting, passing pools and basking areas often just a few metres from the path, giving visitors an unusually close encounter with predators rarely seen in Europe outside a zoo setting. The park also has an educational dimension, with information panels covering the biology, behaviour, and conservation challenges facing crocodilian species around the world.

How many people visit every year?

Roughly 300,000 people visit Pierrelatte's crocodile farm each year, making it the most-visited tourist site in the entire Drôme department. That popularity has held steady for years, drawing families with children as well as nature enthusiasts from across France and abroad.

Where exactly is the attraction located?

The farm is located in Pierrelatte, a small town in the Drôme department near the Rhône valley, making it an easy stop while touring southern France alongside other attractions in the Provence and Rhône valley region.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many crocodiles can you see at the farm in Pierrelatte? The park is home to around 400 crocodiles and alligators from multiple species, kept in conditions designed to resemble their natural habitat.

When did La Ferme aux crocodiles open? The park opened in 1994 and has welcomed visitors continuously since then, developing into a site with an educational and scientific focus.

Is it the top tourist attraction in the Drôme department? Yes — with about 300,000 visitors a year, La Ferme aux crocodiles is the most-visited tourist site in the Drôme department.

What does a visit to the farm look like? The route follows walkways through a tropical greenhouse of about one hectare, winding past dense vegetation and pools where crocodiles and alligators of various species live.