La Ferme aux crocodiles, Reptile zoo in Pierrelatte, France.
La Ferme aux crocodiles is a reptile park in the small southern French town of Pierrelatte, housing around 700 animals. The facility extends across a large greenhouse with tropical climate, where crocodiles, turtles and other reptiles live in recreated natural habitats.
The park opened in 1994 as the first large European center for crocodiles and quickly developed into a reference for presenting this animal group. Over time the project expanded with additional outdoor areas and thematic zones for other reptile species.
The name recalls the founders' original plan: Luc and Éric Fougeirol, local horticulturists, imported 335 Nile crocodiles from a South African breeding farm in July 1991 to produce crocodile meat and skins. The first public visitors arrived after the July 1994 opening, and the unexpected success led the brothers to abandon meat production. The monthly crocodile feeding and the nursery are among the most popular attractions.
The greenhouse is heated to a tropical climate, so light clothing suits the indoor route; the outdoor trail of 4,000 m² opened in 2010 adds a botanical walk recreating crocodilian habitats. The site lies in Pierrelatte on the Tricastin nuclear site plain, at coordinates 44.35646, 4.70522. Feeding sessions are monthly rather than daily, so check the calendar before travelling.
An outdoor area called River Monsters displays prehistoric giant species such as Sarcosuchus imperator, which can be observed from elevated walkways. This zone conveys the impression of a journey into past geological ages as you walk along above the water pools.
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