Parc de Merlet
Chamonix nature and animal park with marmots, chamois and bouquetins
Parc de Merlet is a great place to spot some local animals in their natural environment. A nature reserve, rather than a zoo, the park is perched on a large plateau high above Les Houches.
A gentle walk guides you around the 21 hectares of woodland and meadows where you can come face to face with alpine creatures, in their natural environment. The park was created in 1968 and shelters eight wild animal species that roam freely.
All of the paths are family-friendly and some can be accessed by pushchair. For those who enjoy a challenge, you can hike up from Lac Gaillands in the Chamonix Valley.
During the summer months Parc de Merlet is open every day except Mondays. During the peak summer months of July and August the park opens every day.
Top tip!
Arrive early when the animals have just been fed or to make an evening visit when they are coming out to play.
Winter opening
Open for guided snowshoe walks from around Christmas to the middle of March. You'll have to reserve in advance, snowshoes and transport up to the park are included in the price. The walk lasts about two hours and features a moderate elevation gain of 200m.
What to see
The information desk will tell you all you need to know about the furry inhabitants of the park, there is also an exhibition of the history of Parc de Merlet.
Sights in Chamonix
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Parc de Merlet
Parc de Merlet is a great place to spot some local animals in their natural environment. A nature reserve, rather than a zoo, the park is perched on a large plateau high above Les Houches.
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Les Bossons glacier
This small two person chairlift is only open for a short time in summer, but it's great if you want to take a close up look at the bottom of the Glacier des Bossons.
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Montagnard museum
Situated in a house dating back to the 1750's, this museum showcases mountain lifestyles from the reconstruction of three pieces of traditional housing and objects from everyday life.
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Les Houches summer lifts
Les Houches sits at the bottom end of the Chamonix Valley and is a popular place for hikers, mountaineers and mountain bikers in the summer months.
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Le Brévent, Chamonix - Town
Brévent is the closest summer lift to the centre of Chamonix and its impressive rocky summit rises to 2,525m above sea level.
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Espace Tairraz Crystal Museum
Discover the minerals from the Mont Blanc Valley, famous throughout the world, and learn more about the art of mountaineering.
Where to lunch
During the summer Parc de Merlet also has a café serving light meals, snacks, ice creams and hot and cold drinks. Gifts and souvenirs can be bought at the shop.
Restaurants in Les Houches
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Rocky Pop Restaurant
This restaurant is part of the popular Rocky Pop Hotel, opened in December 2016, whose ethos is "joy and togetherness".
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Kitsch Inn Bar & Restaurant
Quirkily decorated, as the name suggests, this restaurant has different rooms for different moods. Grab a quick coffee and a snack at the breakfast bar, enjoy a casual meal in the retro formica kitchen area, or sit and take your time over dinner at one of the large tables in the dining room. They also have a large sunny terrace where they serve up a nice BBQ in the summer and a kids play area.
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La Ferme des Agapes
This restaurant is located right in front of the Bellevue cable car in Les Houches.
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Les Vieilles Luges Restaurant
An authentic Alpine farmhouse with a charming ambience and great food. Located right in the middle of Les Houches ski resort, this chalet serves delicious home-cooked local produce.
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Le Hors Pistes Restaurant
Brilliantly located in the heart of the Les Houches Prarion ski area.
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Le Basilic Restaurant
Just across the road from the Bellevue lift in Les Houches, this is a perfect spot to recharge your batteries after a day on the mountain, or pop in for lunch.
Child policy
Good for children of all ages.
