Cleres Zoological Park, Heritage zoo in Clères, France
Clères Zoological Park is a zoo in Normandy built on the grounds of a historic château, featuring open habitats where animals roam with relative freedom. The landscape combines gardens and meadows with pathways that guide visitors through different zones of animal species.
Jean Delacour, an ornithologist, founded the park in 1919 as a place to study and conserve bird and animal species. The historic château grounds provided an ideal foundation for transforming the space into a nature-focused zoo.
The park grew from a passion for ornithology and remains rooted in that tradition through its thoughtful habitat design and open-air enclosures. Visitors notice how the spaces are arranged to let birds move and behave as naturally as possible.
Plan your visit for dry weather since the pathways wind through open grounds with minimal shelter from the elements. Wear comfortable walking shoes as you will cover considerable distance to explore all the different zones.
The park holds one of the world's largest bird collections, including rare species rarely seen elsewhere like certain pheasant varieties. This bird focus traces back to the founder's vision and makes it a special place for those interested in ornithology.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
