Photo : Jcb-caz-11 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Le Tropique du Papillon
The Tropique du Papillon is at Elne, in the Pyrénées-Orientales, on the road to Argelès-sur-Mer and not far from Collioure. It is built around a large tropical aviary where hundreds of butterflies from Asia and Latin America fly freely among plants, fountains and misting. They sometimes land on visitors, and a specialist answers questions. Eggs, caterpillars and chrysalises can also be observed.
The visit continues in a Mediterranean garden of more than a hectare, divided into themed areas such as the Bamboo Maze and the Lavender Walk, planted mainly with wild and Mediterranean species.
A fun trail, the 'Little Lepidopterist's Notebook', is designed for families, and a refreshment bar serves local and organic products. The Festival du Tropique, organised with the Pollen association, brings shows, concerts and workshops to the gardens. The park is seasonal.
