To find out more about this stunning valley, explore the animals and natural habitats throughout Chamonix by visiting one of the zoos or nature reserves.
Here you can find a variety of plant and animal life that you might not see outside the reserves.
Merlet Animal Park
To get to Merlet Animal Park from Les Houches, cross the river and take the road up to Le Coupeau. The Parc Animalier de Merlet is not a zoo - the park is a huge open area with the animals roaming free.
This is an opportunity to see deer, chamois, ibex, marmots, llamas and more.
Picnics and dogs are forbidden to protect the wild nature of the animals.
See our dedicated Merlet Animal Park page to find routes, prices and opening times.
Saint-Bernard Breeding Center
At the "Elevage de Saint-Bernard aux Houches" between Servoz and Les Houches, at the Aire de la Fontaine exit, come see the breeding centre for St. Bernard dogs. Excursions last half an hour.
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More Information:
Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve
The entrance is on the Col des Montets between Argentière and Le Buet.
The nature reserve extends from an altitude of 1200m at Argentière, to 2965m at the summit of the Belvédère.
A large diversity of plant and animal life is easily accessible here.
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Swiss Alpine Zoo: Les Marécottes
The Alpine Zoo Marécottes is at 1100 meters altitude, surrounded by forests of pine and larch.
About 35,000m2, you will discover most of our alpine fauna and flora in their natural environment, such as black bears, wolves, lynx, marmots, foxes, owls, deer, chamois, ibex, wild boar and other animals.
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