Pyrenees Animal Park: Leave the Landes pines for the mountain peaks

Fancy swapping the pine forests and wide beaches of the Landes for the majestic peaks of the Pyrenees? Whether you live in Mont-de-Marsan, Dax or on the South Landes coast, the Pyrenees Animal Park offers an ideal mountain escape for a day or a weekend with the family.

Located in Argelès-Gazost, this natural park offers you a complete immersion in the heart of the wildlife, just a 2-hour drive from the department.

A refreshing road trip from the Landes to the Hautes-Pyrénées

The journey is an integral part of the getaway! To maximize the enjoyment of the day, the road from the Landes region is like a true landscape transition, crossing the vineyards of Tursan or the rolling hills of Chalosse before reaching the first foothills of the Pyrenees.

Recommended routes:

• From Mont-de-Marsan : take the A65 towards Pau, then turn off towards the A64 towards Lourdes and Argelès-Gazost (approximately 2 hours journey).
• From Dax and the Landes coast : join the A64 at Orthez to go up towards the valley of the Gaves (approximately 2h15 to 2h30).

What does the visit hold for families from the Landes region? 7 worlds to explore!

Spanning 14 hectares of unspoiled mountain scenery, the park avoids oppressive fences in favor of natural enclosures that recreate the undergrowth, ponds, and rock faces. The walk is divided into 7 distinct zones that punctuate the stroll:

• Wings and Nature : the starting point of the visit, the large aviary welcomes you with its pink flamingos, ibises and crowned pigeons flying above your heads.
• Along the Water's Edge : lively pools where European otters and dwarf otters put on a show.
• Land of the Carnivores : enough to make you shiver in front of the bear, the wolf and the lynx, these great predators of the mountains.
• The Mountains of the World : the marmot, the ibex and the chamois, joined by a more surprising guest: the wallaby.
• The Valley of the Vultures : the territory of these imposing birds of prey, to be observed with the family.
• The Forests of the World : a more exotic atmosphere with gibbons, ring-tailed lemurs and parrots.
• La Ferme des Pitchouns : a tender break for the little ones, in the middle of farm animals.

Day or weekend package: how to plan your stay?

The day option: a great breath of fresh air on a round trip

To fully enjoy your excursion, the ideal time to leave the Landes department is around 8 a.m. After a smooth journey, you will arrive at the Pyrenees Animal Park by mid-morning, when the wildlife is particularly active.

For lunch : you can choose between a picnic lunch at one of the designated picnic areas in the shade of the forest, or a delicious meal at the park's restaurant. The latter offers convivial platters, grilled meats, and regional Pyrenean specialties. Feeling peckish along the way? The Bar des Marmottes, located halfway up the trail, is the perfect place for a refreshing break before tackling the upper part of the park.

The unusual weekend option: an immersive break getting up close to the animals

If you wish to extend your experience and avoid making multiple trips in the same day, staying overnight transforms your visit into a true family adventure. The park features upscale eco-lodges that allow you to observe wildlife after the park closes to the public.

Four exceptional atmospheres to choose from :

• You can stay in the big new addition for 2025, the Asian Lodge, a high-end lodge for 5 people, decorated in a contemporary Asian style, with a private terrace and stunning views of the red pandas.
• Opt for an intimate cocoon for two overlooking brown bear territory thanks to La Tanière.
• Choose La Cabane du Trappeur, a warm log cabin nestled opposite the pack of grey wolves.
• Book a vast lodge perched overlooking the valley, Le Refuge, where parents and children respectively observe the black wolves of Canada and the playful prairie dogs from their rooms.

The nighttime experience : As night falls, the park reveals a completely different atmosphere. After a delicious dinner overlooking the enclosures, you will fall asleep lulled by the distant howling of the packs under a starry sky untouched by light pollution, before experiencing a privileged awakening at daybreak.

FAQ: Everything you need to know about the Pyrenees Animal Park

• How far is the park from the Landes region? Between 2 and 2.5 hours approximately, depending on your starting point.
• What to see first with children? The marmots, the Pitchouns farm, the red pandas and the wolves, always very popular.
• Can you spend the weekend there? Yes, ecolodges allow you to sleep in the park, close to some animals.

Between road trip, animal observation and unusual night, the Pyrenees Animal Park is the ideal nature getaway for the Landes region, about 2 hours from Mont-de-Marsan.

Did you enjoy our article? Find more in our Top Experiences section.

Follow us on the Facebook page of the Landes Guide, we are also on Instagram @guidedeslandes.