Have fun. Marvel animals from the 5 continents roaming free in a multicentennial botanic park

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1 A wildlife and botanic park - Parcabout - Nicolas Hulot School Have fun in the parcabout Get away from it all in the plain of Africa Marvel at the bird show 1000 animals from the 5 continents roaming free in a multicentennial botanic park morbihan - south brittany - 30 mn drive from Vannes - 1h from Nantes and Lorient - 1h15 from Rennes

2 Branféré Park A place of wonder dedicated to the respect for nature Branféré is an original concept that groups together in the same place a wildlife and botanic park, a leisure park (the parcabout ), and an educational centre. When you visit Branféré park, you can : - Marvel at a remarkable collection of 120 different animal species, - Get away from it all in a rich and diverse park with its multicentennial trees, - Have fun and relax in huge nets hanging on trees : the parcabout, - Learn by taking part in nature activities at "Nicolas Hulot School". Branféré : An unforgettable day of wonder, discovery and fun. 2

3 A founding concept The idea of acclimatizing exotic animals dates back to the 30s. During a journey to India, the creators of the park, Paul and Hélène Jourde met the Maharajah of Kutch who used to allow his animals to roam free around his palace. The idea of total freedom for animals in a park and hence the idea of total harmony between man and nature was born. Since its opening to the public in 1965, the park has been respecting and developing this concept in accordance with the buddhist spirit and precepts of its founders : "The garden of Eden". A strong educational trend The "Fondation de France" became the owner of the estate of Branféré in 1989 thanks to a legacy. This state-approved organization then decided to give an educational vocation to Branféré park. The beauty of the park, its botanic richness and its animal collection make it a place of wonder and emotion conducive to discovering, knowing and respecting nature. In 2004,"Nicolas Hulot School" was created to give concrete expression to this educational ambition. Since then, Branféré park has been building up educational young public : awareness programmes towards the protection of the environment : fun activities, field trips and summer camps. An eco-citizen initiative on behalf of sustainable development With 200,000 visitors per year, Branféré is one of the major tourist attractions in Brittany. Since 2011, it has been granted a seal of quality by the state "Qualité Tourisme". In 2013, the park was awarded an international certification "Green Globe". This tourist accreditation uses an assessment grid based on 48 criterias and 330 indicators that are monitored every year. This award acknowledges the work that has been made for many years by this company and its staff. The company is committed to improving the respect for nature through a social, economic, cultural and environmental approach : conservation of endangered species, consciousness-raising activities to respect biodiversity, job creation, green purchasing, fair trade, organic catering, waste sorting, water and energy saving. 3

4 An invitation to travel Nearly 1000 animals coming from the 5 continents Discover the harmony and the peacefulness of this unusual place which has nothing in common with traditional zoological gardens. Come into a universe where nature has reclaimed its rights, a universe that brings you serenity. Branféré is the ideal spot where nature and man get together. The school farm This new site is dedicated to man s relationship to animals. It displays the history of domestication, the numerous services provided by animals, the diversity of domesticated species and exotic pets. This educational farm has a petting zoo with donkeys, sheep, goats, alpagas, cows, rabbits and so on. NEW : from july 2013 onwards. The seal and penguin aquarium After the bird show in 2002, the plain of Africa in 2006 and the Parcabout in 2006, Branféré is launching an ambitious programme on the topic of water that will spread out over many years. The first stage of this project enables visitors to walk among the penguins and watch seals in their underwater realm. NEW : from july 2013 onwards. An active role in the conservation of protected species Maki Catta, Niger Giraffe, Siamang, Black-headed Squirrel Monkey, Maned Wolf, Red Panda, Stanley Crane, Brazilian Tapir, Scimitar horned Oryx, Pygmy Hippo, Sika Deer, White-bearded Gibbon, Greater Kudu, Marabou Stork... All these names grip people s imagination. That is why Branféré park is dedicated to the protection of all these species through conservation programmes. 4

5 An amazing high-flying show Do not miss the bird show in front of Branféré manor house. The novelty of this attraction is to show an unusual collection of 120 birds flying free. Storks, Pelicans, Flamingoes, Tawny Eagles, Vultures, Kites, Hawks, multicoloured Parrots and Parakeets fly just a few inches above your head. The grand finale is always dramatic : the birds let their creativity run wild. The wide open plain of Africa Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the African savannah and gaze upon a tableau where many species : Niger Giraffes, Scimitar-horned oryxes, Blue Gnus, Zebras, Greater Kudus, Pygmy Hippos, Blesboks and so on live together in harmony and in partial freedom in a 10 acre field : one of the largest areas in Europe within a wildlife park. 5

6 The Parcabout An innovative concept of a treetop canopy tour Young and old alike can have fun in this treetop adventure trial made of 2000 square metres of nets. This fun attraction gives you the opportunity of having an excellent bird s eye view over the plain of Africa. All the family can move about as long as they wish between 2 and 8 metres above the ground, without any harness on these safety nets. This surprising maze is dark enough to let children s imagination run wild : wrong tracks, dead ends and traps... The reward at the end of the maze is a wonderful panorama over the plain of South America in the foreground and Branféré manor house in the background. Wear closed-toe shoes to have access to the Parcabout. 6

7 An unforgettable outing Immerse yourself into a very special day Branféré park offers 80 acres of watering places linked together by cascades, wide meadows, age-old trees, islands and undergrowth where many animal species live free. Take advantage of the quietness of the place and closeness to animals by coming right to the morning. Have fun Discover the Parcabout, an aerial and entertaining trail which is unique in Europe. Get away from it all Travel into the very heart of nature and meet the animal world in a botanic and landscaped garden. Get close to wallabies near the manor house, meet many species along your stroll and enjoy the wide range of apes and birds. Enjoy The bird show, a rare moment of emotion for the whole family. Learn You can attend all along the season, nature activities at "Nicolas Hulot School", to have a better understanding and respect for nature: animal feeding, guided tours in carrier tricycles, open discussions with the "ecoguides". Have a break The organic cafeteria offers a panoramic view over the acrobatics of the lemurs and gibbons. The snack-bar is located in the shade of the 300 year-old weeping plane tree. The "crêperie" allows you to have something to eat just a stone s throw from the giraffes and the Parcabout. 7

8 Location GPS coordinates : latitude : 47 35' 41'' / longitude : -2 24' 4'' Opening days and hours The park is open every day from February 16 th to November 11 th 2013 Feb 16 th - March 29 th March 30 th - July 5 th July 6 th - Sept 2 th Sept 3 th - Sept 29 th Sept 30 th - Nov 11 th 1pm - 6pm 10am - 7pm 10am pm 10am - 7pm 11am - 6pm LORIENT à 1h AURAY N 165 D 767 PORT-NAVALO VANNES SARZEAU PONTIVY D 20 QUESTEMBERT DAMGAN MUZILLAC GUÉRANDE N 166 Branféré D 774 RENNES à 1h15 ROCHEFORT EN TERRE BARRAGE D ARZAL LA BAULE LE GUERNO HERBIGNAC D 20 PONTCHATEAU REDON LA ROCHE-BERNARD ST NAZAIRE N 165 NANTES à 1h Last entry 2 hours before closing time. Last entry 2 hours and a half before closing time. Catering Organic cafeteria, every day from March 30 th to Sept 29 th and from Oct 19 th to Nov 3 rd. Snack-bar and crêperie, every weekend and public holidays in April, May, June and September. Every day in July and August. Attractions Bird show, every day from March 30 th to Nov 11 th. Nature activities with "ecoguides" from Nicolas Hulot School, every weekend and public holidays in April, May, June and September. Every day in July and August. Parcabout Last entry to the Parcabout is an hour before closing time. Wear closed-toe shoes to have access to the Parcabout. Special rates and offers on our website Join us on facebook More information Printed on 100 % recycled paper Please do not throw in the street - identité visuelle : - créimprim' Crédit photos : M. Gross - R. Heulle - S. Metsatedem - M. Cottereau - T. Creux / Ouest-France - A. Devez / CNRS - S. Gobbé - Multi Colors - Branféré - ENH BRANFÉRÉ Parc animalier et botanique - Parcabout École Nicolas Hulot pour la Nature et l'homme LE GUERNO - Tél contact@branfere.com -