Pyrénées Animal Park

Parc animalier des Pyrénées is an animal park in Ayzac-Ost, right next to Argelès-Gazost, at the heart of the Hautes-Pyrénées. Locals call it The Marmots Hill, and the nickname gives away who really runs the place.

What is this place?

The park was created in 1999 by Serge Mounard, a private individual, on land belonging to his family's dairy farm. The idea was straightforward: present Pyrenean animals in conditions close to the wild, rather than behind bars or glass. The result sits somewhere between a nature reserve and a hike up a hillside, where the animals themselves decide how close they come to the path.

How do you get there?

The park lies in the commune of Ayzac-Ost, in the Hautes-Pyrénées department, right beside Argelès-Gazost — a small town that acts as a natural base for this part of the Pyrenees. The area is popular with travellers heading toward Lourdes or Cauterets, so reaching it by car is straightforward, and the park makes for an easy stop on a wider tour of the region.

What will you see?

Animals in a natural setting

The visitor trail zigzags up the hillside, which is an attraction in itself — the views over the surrounding slopes shift with every turn. Along the way you'll pass species typical of the region: squirrels, marmots, otters, as well as larger and warier animals — wolves, ibex, mouflons, isards (the Pyrenean form of chamois) and brown bears. Foxes come close enough here to be watched from just a few metres away, something unthinkable in a conventional zoo.

Getting close to the animals

Part of the park is set up as a hands-on zone, where visitors can pet farm animals and deer. The real star of the show, though, remains the marmots, the animals that gave the park its unofficial nickname. They draw the most attention, especially from younger visitors, and most of the park's activity centres around them.

When should you visit?

The park works best in summer, when the animals are most active and the mountain paths are dry and easy to walk. Plan for a few hours — the zigzag trail, with stops at each enclosure along the way, takes longer to cover than a flat, conventional zoo layout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the park located? In the commune of Ayzac-Ost, right next to Argelès-Gazost, in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in southern France.

Where does the nickname The Marmots Hill come from? From the marmots, the park's main attraction and the animals visitors get to interact with most closely.

Can you touch the animals? Yes, in a designated contact zone, farm animals and deer are available for petting.

What wild species can you see? Among others: wolves, brown bears, mouflons, isards, foxes, otters and marmots — animals characteristic of Pyrenean wildlife.