Alligator Bay — Attraction in Avranches

I'm afaid I can't comment on the conditions of the reptiles as an expert but can only tell you what I saw as a lay man. Only on reptile seemed to be in distress but could just has easer ly been doing its thing. (It was runing up and down the glass front of its enclosure) I would also suggest that thay install a gap between the glass the kids can touch and the reptiles, making it more sound profe for the inhabitants. It was just us there the day we went and my kids are well behaved and told to keep the noise dowen and not toch the glass bit if it was bizzy I could see how it would be up seting ly loud. It would also be good if the walls on the alligator walk way where glass in some passes so the kids could see down at the alligators more. Although there are mesh sections on the floor so you can look dowen above the alligators. But I am no expert on there welfare please seek guidence. However the reptiles seemed happy the tortoises too. The alligators where mostly asleep. Now the good stuff The resons I gave it 4 stars is as some where for the kids it's grate!. Thay have easy to understand signs for each creature. My four year old was runing up to them looking at the pitchers and saying "daddy this one eats..." as he could see the pictures under food. There was also a short bit wrighten in English too. Then the rearly fun part. Throughout the site there where tunnels that allowed the kids to pop the head up in to a glass paneled section so it felt like thay where actually in side the enclosure. Another allowed them to be floor level with the alligators staring at the through a slit in the concrete and wire mesh. This sounds unsafe Untill we looked at the other side (in the enclosure) and saw another box sticking out around the slit. Making them a good 2 foot away. Dowen a very narrow slit in the wall. The whole experience seemed to be geard for helping the kids be kids and do more than walk from one windows to the next. There where allso ladders to climb but thay didn't seem to go any where though. All In all if your going to st mount Michelle and you have small kids don't. You will spend a lot of time carrying them up a lot of stares and dowen them. Ull then spend a lot of time lifting them to see over walls and chasing them around endlessly to make shore thay don't fall in, out, off, down, throgh and on to cliffs, stairs, people, glass walls, and tour guide groups. Spit the group take the kids to alligator bay for the whole day and swap with the other grown ups half...

Alligator Bay near Mont Saint-Michel is widely regarded as an excellent reptile-focused zoo, particularly popular with families and reptile enthusiasts. It features a diverse array of reptiles, including a large collection of alligators and crocodiles, rare Mississippi albino alligators, numerous turtles and tortoises, snakes, and lizards.

Key highlights:

The park is divided into thematic zones: alligators, tortoises/turtles, the "Labyrinth of Dragons" (snakes, lizards), and a dinosaur section.

Visitors consistently mention how impressive and well-kept the animal enclosures are, with special praise for the spacious areas and attentive animal caretakers.

The experience is very interactive, offering opportunities to touch giant tortoises, observe feeding times, and explore child-friendly exhibits and playgrounds.

The park is clean and safety is well managed, which reassures visitors, especially families.

Most reviews praise the park as good value for money, though a few mention it is a bit expensive for the duration of the visit.

The visit typically lasts about 2–3 hours, making it an ideal activity for a half-day, particularly in poor weather.

Staff are often described as welcoming, but a minority of visitors have noted less positive interactions at reception or in the shop.

The only consistent criticisms are related to occasional unpleasant smells near reptile areas and the "dinosaur section" being underwhelming compared to other parts of the park.

Free parking and accessible ticket pricing further add to its appeal.

In summary, Alligator Bay is an engaging, well-run attraction best suited for families and anyone with a curiosity for reptiles. While not a full-day destination, it remains highly recommended, particularly as a stop when visiting Mont Saint-Michel.

I personally would highly recommend it to anyone in the area...

Disgusting & Horrible.!

as a herpetologist for over 40 years now, I think I know what I'm talking about.

During X-mas/December 2015 & January 2016 we spend a few weeks holidays in that beautiful Normandie-Bretagne part of France. We visited various Zoo's and were informed about this House of Horrors by other Zoo-visitors.

This review is based on THREE seperate visits and each time horrible situations were observed, mainly extreem poor and dirty living quarters for Crocodiles and Tortoises. specially the various Giant tortoises (aldabra & sulcata's) were housed so small and with almost no heating and old infected fruits. The amount of, specially the Nile Crocodiles & the USA Alligators, are housed in so small pools together that such living envirement causes huge stress with those reptiles, indeed a true HOUSE OF HORRORS.! for such beautiful livng creatures. This in combination with a staff who hardly know what they were doing beside from the usual french arrogance based on nothing but empty headed idiots.

It should be noted this Alligator Bay is NOT a member of any French and/or Europe Zoo organisation, this also due to the fact that the owners were involved and convicted of illegal animal trade.

pls do yourself and this tourist trap a favor; STAY AWAY, there is so many other nice and good attractions with friendly staff who will do their utmost to help you.

It is my opinion that this reptiles house of horrors should be closed...