Photo : Chatsam / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Parc Zoologique de Maubeuge
The Maubeuge Zoological Park, in the Nord, occupies seven hectares of flowers and trees in the very centre of town, at the foot of Vauban's ramparts. The zoo is set in the western part of the old fortifications, which gives the walk a singular heritage setting.
It welcomes more than two hundred animals of about fifty species of mammals, birds and reptiles: Sri Lankan leopards, Asiatic lions, elephants, giraffes, spectacled bears, hippopotamuses and parrots. Births follow one another from year to year.
The park offers activities for families and groups: birthdays, behind-the-scenes visits, "keeper for a day", wild discoveries and two-day "nature reporter" courses, as well as activities for school groups. A small part of the price of each entry feeds a fund that supports associations protecting threatened species.
Picnic areas and a souvenir shop complete the offer. The zoo opens for the season in spring, after a winter closure.
