Borce Things to Do

Marketed as an "ecomuseum" like almost every other museum and attraction in the Valle d'Aspe - and nearly the whole of the south of France, come to think of it - the Espace Animalier de Borce is worth a visit to learn about the mammals that currently live wild or in domestication in the area.

The three star attractions are the three Pyreneean Bears which loll idly around a large pit. (If you are pressed for time, go around the circuit in reverse order - you come to the bears first).

The wildlife centre is in a superb location, very high up above the village of Borce - and well sign-posted from there, looking east towards the high mountains. The animals are all - except for the bears - in very large compunds with free access to wander around, and it doesn't feel remotely like a zoo....more like a mountain farm with different species in each field. Note that there is very little flat ground, and the circuit involves a considerable descent (and then the corresponding ascent).

All information at the centre is in French and Spanish and although very extensive information is available - especially of an educational nature - it is focused very much on the individual species rather than the mountain ecosystem, which is a pity.

Expect to see a variety of goats, sheep, deer and marmots as well as some extremely cute donkeys (it seems that locally donkeys are even kept as family pets!)

Opening Times
April - May and September - October: 2pm to 6pm (except holidays and Sundays when it opens at 1pm)
June - August: 10am to 6pm

Tariff:
Adults E8, Children E5