Parc animalier des Gorges de l'Ardèche, Wildlife park in Vagnas, France.

Parc animalier des Gorges de l'Ardèche is a zoo in Vagnas, in the southern Ardèche, where visitors can approach animals closely, much as at a petting farm. Besides poultry such as chickens, geese, ducks and peacocks, it keeps parakeets, alpacas, Aubrac cattle, Girgentana, Kashmir, Rove and Valais Blackneck goats, wool pigs, mules, Racka and Soay sheep. The park also works on back-breeding the extinct aurochs.

The park opened in Vagnas, in the southern Ardèche, as a collection of lesser-known domestic breeds rather than a classic zoo. Its herds include Aubrac cattle, Girgentana, Kashmir and Rove goats, Valais Blackneck and Soay sheep, and it keeps wool pigs and mules. It also runs a back-breeding programme for the extinct aurochs, from which domestic cattle descend.

The park has areas where visitors can interact directly with farm animals and learn about the diversity of animal life. These close encounters help create a connection with nature.

The park is laid out for walking, with play equipment for children and a simple water play area on site. Pony rides are offered free of charge, and food and drink are available. Allow time to approach the animals closely, as the park is designed for that.

The park keeps a herd of Heck-type cattle bred to recreate the aurochs, the wild ancestor of domestic cattle, which died out in 1627. Visitors can compare these animals with the Aubrac cattle and Racka sheep, whose long, twisted horns are easy to spot in the enclosures.