Parc des oiseaux

Description

The Parc des Oiseaux stands as France’s premier bird park, showcasing over 3,000 birds from 300 different species across 380 breathtaking acres. I’ve gotta tell ya, this place absolutely blew my mind when I first visited – it’s so much more than just your average zoo! The park masterfully recreates various ecosystems from around the world, from tropical rainforests to African savannas, letting these magnificent birds live in environments that closely match their natural habitats.

What really gets me excited about this place is how they’ve managed to blend education with pure entertainment. Y’know what I mean? You’re having such a blast watching these incredible creatures that you don’t even realize how much you’re learning! The daily bird shows are absolutely spectacular – I still remember getting goosebumps watching birds of prey swoop right over my head during the demonstrations.

Key Features

• The Birds in Flight Show – trust me, this is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before! Picture dozens of exotic birds performing synchronized flying routines
• The African Plain habitat – home to dozens of flamingos creating a stunning pink panorama
• The Rainbow Garden – filled with colorful parrots and tropical birds (my personal favorite spot for photos!)
• The Bush Plains exhibit – featuring impressive birds like marabou storks and secretary birds
• Multiple walk-through aviaries where birds fly freely around visitors
• The Feeding Sessions – scheduled throughout the day for different species
• Educational workshops and interactive learning stations
• The Tower of Winds observation deck offering panoramic views
• A mini-train that circles the park (perfect when your feet need a break)
• Multiple play areas for kids

Best Time to Visit

From my experience, the sweet spot for visiting is between April and October when the weather’s just right and all the birds are at their most active. Spring’s especially amazing – that’s when many species are showing off their breeding plumage and doing their courtship displays. If you can swing it, try to arrive right when they open at 9:30 AM. That’s when the birds are most energetic and you’ll beat the crowds that typically show up around lunchtime.

But honestly? Even on a cloudy day in winter, this place has its own kind of magic. Just be sure to check the bird show schedule beforehand ’cause they adjust their timings based on the season.

How to Get There

Getting to Parc des Oiseaux is pretty straightforward, especially if you’re coming from Lyon. You can catch a direct train from Lyon Part-Dieu station to Villars-les-Dombes – it’s about a 30-minute ride. From the station, there’s a shuttle bus service that runs to the park during peak season (double-check the schedule though, it changes throughout the year).

If you’re driving (which I personally recommend), just punch it into your GPS and follow the A46 highway. There’s tons of free parking right at the entrance. And hey, here’s a pro tip: if you’re coming from Geneva or Bourg-en-Bresse, take the A40 route – it’s actually more scenic and usually has less traffic.

Tips for Visiting

Okay, so here’s the inside scoop from someone who’s been there multiple times – bring a good camera! The photo opportunities are incredible, but you’ll want something better than just your phone camera to capture those birds in flight. And speaking of the flight show, grab your seats at least 15 minutes early to get the best views.

Pack some snacks and water, even though there are restaurants on-site. The park is huge, and you’ll probably spend at least 4-5 hours exploring. Wear comfortable shoes – I learned that lesson the hard way after my first visit!

Try to plan your route around the park based on the show times they give you at the entrance. The birds in flight show is usually at 3:30 PM (during peak season), so work backwards from there.

If you’re visiting with kids, there’s a fantastic playground near the picnic area – perfect for when they need a break from bird-watching. And don’t skip the rainbow lorikeet feeding – it’s an extra few euros, but totally worth it for the experience of having these friendly birds land right on your hand!

Lastly, download the park map to your phone before you go – the paper maps they hand out can get pretty wrinkled after a long day of exploring. Oh, and don’t forget to bring a light jacket, even in summer. Some of the indoor aviaries are kept quite cool for the birds’ comfort.

Remember to respect the birds’ space and follow the park rules – these aren’t just displays, they’re living creatures in their homes. And whatever you do, don’t miss the pelican feeding – it’s absolutely fascinating watching these big birds gulp down their lunch!

Location

Places to Stay Near Parc des oiseaux

Find Tours in Colombes

Explore More Travel Guides