Forêt du Berger, Petting zoo in Sonchamp, France.
Forêt du Berger is a petting zoo with separate areas for different farm animals such as goats, ponies, and chickens that visitors can feed and touch directly. Clear instructions guide how to interact safely with each animal species throughout the grounds.
The site came about through a regional program to establish educational farms across the Île-de-France area. This effort aimed to reconnect urban residents with farming traditions and rural life.
The property teaches children about caring for farm animals through hands-on experience during regular activities throughout the year. Visitors develop an understanding of where food originates and why working with the land in a sustainable way matters for the future.
Animal feed is provided upon arrival and feeding areas are clearly marked for each animal type throughout the grounds. Wear comfortable clothes as hands-on interaction with the animals will likely result in mud or dirt on your clothing.
The grounds feature elevated vegetable gardens positioned about 1 meter (3 feet) above the ground that demonstrate sustainable growing methods. Visitors can explore these gardens and observe directly which plants thrive there and how they are maintained.
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