Parc Zoologique de Fréjus — Attraction in Draguignan

For the first time since a few years, I today visited this zoo, and it has gone through a real transformation. It is not a huge hypermodern zoo like Tokyo or San Diego, but it is a charming, yet fairly big, countryside zoo.

It is one of the few places where you can find Père David's deer, which has been extinct in the wild for more than a century. This species depends on zoos and public parks for its survival, and Fréjus' zoo is one such sanctuary.

The park also features a kori bustard, which may be the world's heaviest flying bird, and personally, I had never seen one live before.

The animals of course do not have as large areas as in a big safari park, but watching for example the tigers, they looked extraordinarily happy with life, playing and sleeping like kittens in their enclosure. Several people around me joked they would like to join them. Given the choice, the big cats would probably prefer their wild habitat, but as zoos go, there are many worse ones elsewhere.

The park's website explains the parks regional role, sometimes treating sick local wild fauna and rereleasing it in the wild. They also in some cases accept animals whose private owners want to abandon them, like the turtle pond slider (Trachemys scripta), which the park receives about 20 of each year. This prevents the turtles from being released in nature as an invasive species. The pond slider is perhaps not the most interesting animal in the world, but if you are a fan, they have dozens, perhaps hundreds, of them in different ponds.

Considering the limited area, there are surprisingly good photo opportunities without disturbing grids. Tigers and lions, for example, can be seen through glass windows, and elephants and chimpanzees above fences. However, many other animals are behind narrow grids.

Not everything is perfect, of course. The catering is definitely not haute cuisine. In large parts of the park, private cars are allowed to drive around at low speed. The cars are certainly good for the disabled and elderly, but they make the place less peaceful for both animals and visitors. There should be a different solution to help people with mobile limitations. What about silent electric vehicles for...

Anne Maycock & Chris Copland: We stopped off during a trip without knowing what to expect and we are very pleased to give the Zoo a 5 Star report for the following reasons. On entry the staff were friendly and helpfull. There is a place for refreshments that is really well shaded by ample and pretty trees over the tables. with another refreshment area placed halfway around to provide more refreshments and snacks if required. Following the suggested path on the park map there is a very wide selection of reptiles, birds, and mammals, that was quite astonishing for the size of the park. Including Lions, Hyenas and Tigers (both Bengal and the most beautiful white Tiger I have ever Seen. "Oh and Wolves" Plus Zebras, Elephants and buffalo. Not to mention the flamingoes, emu's, Lamas, Ostriches, Vultures and Meerkats, Plus deer, Goats, and a selection of horned mountain mammals I can't even remember all there names. For the size of the Zoo the layout and selection were fantastic.

Every Animal we saw looked very healthy, alert, and interestingly seemed to enjoy the attention of the visitors.

Oh and How could I almost forget the monkeys, ducks and Turtles.

The park do allow feeding of some of the animals with pellets available at the park.

It seems to me that this Zoo is really putting the animals first.

Constructive Criticism: I understand that animal welfare must come first...given that point. I would say that there is room for improvement in the overall appearance of the visitors area's and the some additional seating with shade would help to allow visitors to take in and enjoy the animals.

More visitors would mean more revenue for the above improvements.

Toilets: Though provided these should be prioritised for improvements and Toilets that are modern and impeccably clean and well maintained and provide child and disabled friendly facilities would add greatly to this zoological experience.

Note: I really enjoyed this visit and have purposely written things in an upbeat manner because of the huge potential that this Zoo has to become not just great but...

Stunning Zoo - one of the best in Europe ! We don't understand how people can complain about dirtiness. Nature is by default dirty and NOT a hospital or an antiseptic clean room. Only people who live in an artifical 640x480 screen size world can believe that nature is absolutely steril clean. This is a ZOO and these are REAL animals who live in a very happy and often very spaceous environment. They are a bit dirty, but that IS natural and i agree that it is not aesthetic to our eyes - but it is more natural than washing the elephant every day with a jet spray. No elephant in Africa has that. In fact what puts this zoo above almost ALL others is the fact that one can be so very close to the animals than nowhere in any other zoo. The staff b.t.w. is very competent. They know everything about the animals, how to treat them, they do exchange programs with other zoos in Denmark, Holland, Brazil and other countries - and they are really in protection and providing as much natural environement as possible. YOU NEVER HAVE SEEN ANIMALS THAT CLOSE BEFORE IN YOUR LIFE !. And it is true, that the zoo looks a little bit old and would deserve a little bit of refresh - the staff and the management would love to do it - but NO MONEY - so rescue this zoo - and GO THERE, SPEND MONEY and ENJOY The close proximity to these lovely creatures. They have stunning more than 1500 different anymals and hundreds of different species ! You easily can spend a half day and/or with picknick there. I attach some photos so that you can see - Flamingos in 50cm distance from you ! wherelse can you have that ! The Rhino that gets fed in-front of your eyes really. AND ASK THE STAFF - they are really very motivated to help, explain and make you familiar with all the various animals and their often funny behaviour. You can have a big laugh as well - monkeys are particular funny to learn about. Believe us - you will have a great time there and what is best - the zoo is so close to the Highway No8 that it is so easy to reach - drop buy and...