Parc animalier de Courzieu

Parc animalier de Courzieu is a wildlife park in the village of Courzieu, in the Monts du Lyonnais area roughly 30 km from Lyon. Spread across 25 hectares of protected forest, it lets visitors watch wolves and birds of prey living in conditions close to the wild — making it one of the best-known nature attractions near Lyon.

What is there to see at the park?

The park has been running for decades with a clear educational mission: raising awareness about protecting endangered species. Its main residents are two wolf packs and several birds of prey, alongside a colony of marmots.

How many wolf packs live in Courzieu?

Two separate packs call the park home. The first is a pack of grey wolves, viewable along a walking trail known as the "Valley of the Grey Wolves" — a roughly 45-minute forest walk passing several observation points. The second pack consists of white Arctic wolves, present at the park since 2015. It currently numbers five animals: three males, one female, and a young female named Oliska, born at the park in 2018.

How close can you get to the wolves?

The park offers several vantage points, including viewing platforms and a glass tunnel that leads straight into the heart of the wolves' territory. This lets visitors observe the animals up close while staying unseen, tracking the pack's natural behavior without disturbing its rhythm.

When do the wolf feedings happen?

Every day at 11:30 am, an open-air amphitheater hosts a wolf feeding session lasting about 45 minutes. This is when the wolves come up from the valley toward their keeper, who explains their habits, pack hierarchy, and daily routines. It's the best opportunity to see the predators in action and understand how a wolf pack really operates.

What about the birds of prey?

Beyond the wolves, the park runs free-flight demonstrations featuring eagles, falcons, kites, and vultures, held twice a day in the same amphitheater used for the wolf feedings. During the shows, the birds fly freely, recreating natural hunting and feeding techniques, while falconers work alongside them to showcase their flying skills up close.

When is the best time to visit?

Opening hours change with the season. From April through November 11, the park is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. From December 20 to March 31, it runs on a reduced schedule — Wednesdays, weekends, and daily during school holidays, from 11 am to 5 pm. It's worth timing a visit around one of the daily wolf feedings or bird-of-prey shows, since these are the most engaging parts of a visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a visit to Parc animalier de Courzieu take? The "Valley of the Grey Wolves" trail alone is about a 45-minute walk, but a full visit including the wolf feeding and bird-of-prey show typically takes a few hours.

Can you see Arctic wolves at the park? Yes, since 2015 the park has housed a pack of five white Arctic wolves, including a young female born on site in 2018.

What time is the wolf feeding? The wolf feeding takes place daily at 11:30 am in the open-air amphitheater and lasts around 45 minutes.

Is the park open year-round? Yes, though hours vary by season — daily from 10 am to 6 pm in summer (April to November 11), and Wednesdays, weekends, and school holidays only from 11 am to 5 pm in winter (December 20 to March 31).