Cleres Zoological Park — Zoo in Clères

Cleres Zoological Park and its collection

Cleres Zoological Park is a zoo in Clères, France.

The park is owned by the Seine-Maritime departmental council. It is listed as a natural site, while the castle buildings that preceded it carry historic monument protection.

History

Armand-Louis-François-Edmé de Béthune went to the guillotine in 1794 and the estate was seized. It returned to his father, the duc de Charost, who willed it to his second wife; direct descendants of the counts of Clères challenged that bequest and lost their case under the Restoration. The ornithologist Jean Delacour created the park after buying the estate in 1919.

What the venue says

• Many birds and mammals—such as free-roaming wallabies, lemurs, and deer—move about in semi-freedom or large walk-through aviaries
• The grounds themselves function as an English-style botanical garden filled with rare trees and perennials
• Visitors can enjoy self-guided or guided walking tours
• explore the historical chateau grounds and medieval ruins
• attend educational workshops or temporary exhibitions
• browse the on-site gift shop
• An on-site bar, refreshment stand, and tea room are available for snacks and beverages, alongside well-maintained outdoor picnic areas.
• Convenient parking options are available adjacent to the park, alongside bicycle racks and amenities for cyclists.
• The destination provides dedicated adapted parking spaces nearby, ground-level entry and access roads, accessible sanitary facilities, trained support staff, and hearing-loop equipment for visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing.