Parc zoologique de Champrepus

Zoo de Champrépus is a family-friendly zoological and landscape park in Champrepus, Normandy, roughly a 30-minute drive from Mont-Saint-Michel. Spread across 10 hectares of landscaped grounds, it houses more than 300 animals from around 65 species and welcomes over 120,000 visitors every year.

How did this zoo come to be?

The park grew out of one man's passion for animal keeping. Local farmer Lucien Lebreton started with a simple roadside aviary, which gradually turned into a shelter and care centre for animals. It officially opened to the public as a European animal park in July 1957. Exotic species didn't arrive until the mid-1970s. After the founder's death in 1980, his grandchildren took over the park and tripled its size, shaping it into the site visitors see today.

What will you see inside?

Animals are organised into five themed zones: savannah, Madagascar, a tropical area, exotic domestic animals, and a mini-farm. Residents include tigers, giraffes, red pandas, lions, penguins, lemurs, and parrots. The layout lets visitors get close to enclosures and observe animals in settings that mimic their natural habitats, while the generous green grounds make it easy to slow down and stroll between exhibits.

What else is there to do besides watching animals?

During the season, the park runs animal feeding sessions and educational activities for children and adults. Visitors curious about what running a zoo actually involves can join the "keeper for a day" programme and shadow staff through their daily routines. On-site facilities include food outlets, a picnic area, and a newly built playground, making it easy to turn a visit into a full day out.

How do you get there and when should you go?

Champrepus sits in the Manche department, close to the main routes leading to Mont-Saint-Michel, so it's easy to pair both attractions in a single trip. Because some activities — feeding sessions and workshops — run seasonally, summer months offer the widest range of extras, though the park itself operates for most of the year. The large green grounds also make a visit pleasant on warmer days, with shaded paths between enclosures offering spots to rest.

Frequently asked questions

How many animals live at Zoo de Champrépus? The park is home to more than 300 animals across roughly 65 species, arranged in five themed zones.

How far is it from Mont-Saint-Michel? About a 30-minute drive, making it easy to combine a zoo visit with a trip to the famous abbey island.

Are there activities beyond viewing the animals? Yes — seasonal feeding sessions and educational activities take place regularly, and visitors can join the "keeper for a day" programme. There's also a restaurant, a picnic area, and a playground on site.

Who founded the park? It was founded by farmer Lucien Lebreton, who started with a small roadside aviary. It opened to the public in 1957, and after his death in 1980 his grandchildren took over and expanded it.