The Merlet Animal Park fête celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Situated at an altitude of more than 1,500m above the village of Les Houches, Merlet is above all an exceptional balcony on the Mont-Blanc massif and a "pearl" in the Chamonix valley for its preserved heritage.
According to Le Dauphine, The Merlet Animal Park is one of the most famous wildlife parks of Haute-Savoie (9th most visited site in the department with 60,000 visitors annually). The Park covers an area of 21 hectares of pasture, rock outcrops and pine forest, and shelters more than 70 mountain animals in their natural habitat (not counting the marmots), including the Ibex, the Chamois, the Mouflon, the Fallow Deer, the Sika Deer and the Roe Deer.
The Merlet Animal Park was created in 1968 by the chamoniard, Philip Cachat, from an old alpine pasture.
5 reasons to visit the Merlet Park:
- a fun and cultural outing for the whole family;
- a breathtaking panorama of the Mont-Blanc range;
- the rare proximity with mountain animals;
- a place of contemplation and relax;
- all at a very affordable cost!
Claire Cachat, Manager of Merlet Park said "More than an animal park, Merlet is for me a treasure! A domain inherited from my grandfather, arranged by my father and managed by my family, I am deeply attached to it. I was only 25 when I took over the management and I continued the family work. My ambition today is to preserve the hamlet of Merlet, enhance it and share with all this wonderful heritage!"
The Merlet Animal Park in numbers:
1563 meters: altitude at which the park is located;
21 hectares: area of the park;
1968: date of creation of the park;
70: animals present on average in the park in semi freedom (not counting the marmots);
2 hours: average visit time of the park;
60,000 visitors per year;
9th: the most visited site in Haute-Savoie;
22 years old: the age of Eglantine, dean of the park;
5 and 8 euros: entrance to the park (price for children / adults);
5 months: opening of the park in summer, from 1st May to 30th September.
1968 - 2018: 50 years already!
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, many activities are offered all summer and new projects have taken place in the park, including a cliff playground for ibex, a panoramic spot to embrace the landscape and a new welcome chalet. Consult the pdf document, by clicking here
New 2018:
A "Silence Zone" of 3,000 square meters:
The big innovation of the year is an extension of the site. No less than 3,000 additional square meters dedicated to a "Silence Zone". On the upper part of the park, near a cliff suitable to so many ibex called the "Roche à Soupla", the place, equipped with seats, has the ambition to "steer more towards something contemplative," said Claire Cachat. The park manager, whose father is the founder, wants to allow visitors to "see the Merlet differently than as the animal park. It will be possible to relax while listening to "the birds singing and the sound of the wind," she added.
A panoramic spot to embrace the landscapes
A new panoramic spot equipped with wooden deckchairs offers stunning views of Mont Blanc while observing the beautifull animals. In addition to this, the entrance to the park now has brand new wooden portico, allowing "a better management of the entrances and exits" and offering shelter in case of rain.
"Un ouvrage Merlet, quelle est ta magie?"
On this occasion, a prestigious book retraces the history of this mythical site. Written and illustrated by Claire Cachat and prefaced by Karine Meerpoel, the book is published in a limited edition and tells the story of the old hamlet with unpublished photos and testimonies of the last Merlerans. This book comes with an audio CD.
Numerous activities & events are proposed this summer
This year again, the park will offer a lot of entertainment. While headbands will soon be placed - the concept remains, for now, to refine - a photo contest will be launched.
Workshops "Wood and horns", "Reading the local landscape", "Feeding marmots" will also be proposed and the exhibition chalet, with free access tells the story of the site, presents ancient tools found in the alpine cottages and shares a video on the alpine fauna and flora.
For gourmands, the restaurant "Le Balcon de Merlet" has created a special dessert based on macaroons, ice cream, coulis and whipped cream, named "Le Délice des neiges".
Summer annual opening:
From Tuesday 1st May to Sunday 30th September 2018
May, June and September: every day from 10am to 6pm except Monday.
July and August: every day from 9:30am to 7:30pm.
Rates 2018: Adult: €8; Child from 4 to 15 years old: €5
A program will soon be online on the Merlet Park website!
