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JULY 2019
Inspiration
felines, the second offers a unique experience
among macaques and parrots.
We started off at Terres de Mones, where
50 or so monkeys are semi-free in a 35-acre
enclosure, including 20 acres of forest. A path
meanders through the park with low, simple
post-and-rail fencing on either side, so you
really do get up close and personal with the
monkeys. A sign warns you to respect certain
rules: do not eat in front of the monkeys;
do not stare directly into their eyes, which
is a provocative sign; do not touch or feed
them; do not make loud noises; and do not
run. “The monkeys are not aggressive,” says
owner Patrick Jardin, “but they are animals.
Our team is there to make sure that these
rules are respected.” Just as well, after a
couple allowed their child to climb the fence
to get a closer look.
There are monkeys everywhere, scampering
across the path, grooming each other amongst
the trees and lying in the sun. We saw a mother
whose baby made straight for Leo, obviously
seeing a playmate, but was gently shooed
back by one of the patrolling keepers. It was
remarkable to be so close to them.
Then it was the turn of the parrots. We
were led into their enclosure and given little
pots of nectar to offer them. They didn’t need
encouragement – we had parrots perching on
our hands, shoulders, heads – everywhere.
After lunch at picnic tables, I took Leo to
the petting zoo to see the goats, after buying
a bag of popcorn to feed them. It turns out
goats are crazy for popcorn – I was nearly
knocked off my feet in the goat rush! It was
calmer in the barn, which housed a mix
of rabbits and guinea pigs, and a couple of
peaceful goats (although I had run out of
popcorn by then).
After the monkeys, we walked up the
road to see the cats. The Parc des Félins is
a breeding and zoological research centre
dedicated solely to the preservation of the cat
family, from the smallest species (Rusty-
spotted cats and sand cats) to the largest
(tigers and lions). The park is a haven for
animals that are more and more endangered
in the wild. Among the 36 species of
surviving cats living on our planet, you will
find 26 different species and subspecies here,
living in large, entirely natural enclosures.
It's not a typical “zoo” park, and all of
the enclosures have been designed with
the animals’ wellbeing in mind rather
than the visitor. The majority of these are
located in woodland, with lots of hiding
places, meaning it is often difficult to see
some of the cats. The park is organised into
geographic regions – Africa, Europe, Asia,
and the Americas – and although you can
walk around well-signposted paths, we took
the little train and were lucky enough to
see a whole host of big cats – a jaguar, lions,
including a rare white lion, tigers and a
cheetah, as well as some of the smaller cats.
It was the perfect ending to our
whistlestop trip, from the magic of Disney to
the magic of nature.
And the best part for Leo? Definitely
meeting Buzz Lightyear. To infinity and
beyond…
F L I G H T D E TA I L S
Flybe has flights to Paris CDG from
Aberdeen, Birmingham, Cardiff,
Doncaster Sheffield (until 25th October),
Edinburgh, Exeter, Manchester,
Newcastle and Southampton. Some
of these flights may be operated by
Air France. Flybe’s franchise partner
Eastern Airways has flights to Paris Orly
Ouest from Rodez.
Clockwise from above
: Monkeys wander the path at Terres de Mones; around 50 monkeys live semi-free in the 35-acre enclosure; goats just love
popcorn; feeding the parrots at Terres de Mone