Parc Argonne Découverte, Theme park and zoo in Olizy-Primat, France
Parc Argonne Découverte is a theme park and zoo in the Ardenne region housing diverse animal species across multiple enclosures. The grounds contain wolves, raccoons, farm animals, and numerous bird species including vultures, owls, and parrots distributed throughout the site.
Opened in June 2005 as Nocturnia, the site was created and is still run by the Communauté de communes de l'Argonne Ardennaise (2C2A), with animations designed partly with the 2C2A-CERFE scientific team. In 2009 it became the first site to host a replica of the Parcabout rope-net structure invented by Chien Noir on the Île de Groix, renamed Hamac à Bonds. Since 2016 it has also operated as a wildlife care centre for injured animals.
The park's name changed from Nocturnia to Parc Argonne Découverte as its focus widened beyond nocturnal animals. Its educational aims, such as food chains, invasive species and climate warming, are built into each new activity, and since 2016 it has also run a wildlife care centre for injured animals.
The park is open from Easter to All Saints' Day, and groups can arrange visits outside that period. The site is accessible to people with reduced mobility. It lies in the Croix-aux-Bois state forest on the land of Olizy-Primat, with a restaurant and picnic areas on site.
A dedicated section allows visitors to observe nocturnal animals in settings designed to show their natural behaviors in darkness. This area reveals how creatures hunt, move, and interact when active during night hours.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,594 contributors worldwide.