Advice - Frejus area

J

jwer

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Ok, just booked a holiday in the area of Frejus at the end of August. My 5 year old daughters’ main focus will be to sample all the swimming pools of southern France, but her dad might want to squeeze a zoo or two in if he can.

I’ve searched for information about Zoo Frejus, and even though Zootierliste shows a decent collection, the only reviews I can find on this site seem to include the words “hellhole” and “never again” which doesn’t fill me with excitement. These reviews seem to be relatively old, so:
- has anyone been to Frejus recently and is it as bad as stated, and/or
- anyone any suggestions of better things to do in the area?
- Marineland Antibes seems to be a 40 minute drive, would that be worth considering?

Anyone?
 
jwer said:
Ok, just booked a holiday in the area of Frejus at the end of August. My 5 year old daughters’ main focus will be to sample all the swimming pools of southern France, but her dad might want to squeeze a zoo or two in if he can.

I’ve searched for information about Zoo Frejus, and even though Zootierliste shows a decent collection, the only reviews I can find on this site seem to include the words “hellhole” and “never again” which doesn’t fill me with excitement. These reviews seem to be relatively old, so:
- has anyone been to Frejus recently and is it as bad as stated, and/or
- anyone any suggestions of better things to do in the area?
- Marineland Antibes seems to be a 40 minute drive, would that be worth considering?

Anyone?
Click to expand...

Based on a recent photo report on Zoofreunde Frejus is still a place to avoid. The same person also visited Marineland and it looks significantly overpriced and somewhat outdated.

The aquarium in Monaco looked quite interesting though, the building and history alone would already make it worth it imo, though the displays aren't spectacular. The zoo in Monaco isn't the best either though.

I have been hearing good things about Parc Animalier de la Barben, which is in the general area, but likely just a bit too far out...
 
We visited Frejus last March and it was not a great experience. Some of the enclosures are really bad, in particular the leopard enclosure near the entrance. We visited Marineland as well, worth visiting to see the Orcas. One little place we enjoyed was ZOA Parc. It's only a couple of hours but some nice animals and lush gardens. While you're in the area I would recommend Parc Ornithologique du Pont de Gau to see the wild flamingoes. Watching flamingoes flying overhead is amazing!
 
There's a good place for turtles and tortoises called Le Village des Tortues, that hosts and breed 50 tortoise and turtle species, including our natives (European Pond Turtle and Hermann's Tortoise) ; it is involved in the conservation of both species, and may be the most interesting place for rare wildlife in the Var.

In the Cap d'Antibes (1 hour from Fréjus) there's a releasing station for marine turtles ; I've never been to this place, but it seems to be a kind of annex of Marineland (that rescues sometimes local marine turtles, mainly Loggerheads).

In Nice there's a small zoo called Parc Phoenix. It would be worth visiting for the insect and invertebrate collection, plus a good collection of birds, reptiles... There are a few species of small mammals : Marmosets, Lemurs, Porcupines, Wallabies... Once there was a (small) sea aquarium but I'm not sure that it still exists.
This park is full of lush, jungle-like vegetation in the outdoor spaces and in a large greenhouse.

I would add further in the high countries between Grasse and Castellane (Southern Alps) the Réserve des Monts d'Azur, a large wildlife park with various large native European/Eurasian ungulates : Wisents, Elks, Przewalski's Horses, Red Deer... Additionally their website indicates the presence of truly wild (not captive nor semi-captive) species in this site : Lynxes, Wolves, Eagles, Vultures... (they are probably elusive and hard to spot, especially for the mammals).
 
Thanks for all the tips sofar! Looks like Frejus is dependent on whether I want to see kori bustards one more time before they dissappear and not much else. Other then that it’s Sanary-sur-mer, Marineland and Phoenix zoo.

On the long way down, I was looking for a one full day stop somewhere halfway (Dijon, Lyon somewhere around there). The best option I could find sofar had been Parc des Oiseaux. The species line-up there is ok but less exceptional then I thought (for someone living quite close to Walsrode). Is there anything there exhibit wise worth stopping for?

Or perhaps anyone else suggestions when hugging the route du soleil?
 
I've been to Zoo LaBarben (almost 10 years ago) a nice zoo, but not a zoo to go out of your way to see.

But if Frejus is a "hellhole" it maybe worth the little bit more distance to visit Zoo LaBarben.

On the route the soleil there is also a huge crocodile zoo in Pierrelatte.
 
jwer said:
Thanks for all the tips sofar! Looks like Frejus is dependent on whether I want to see kori bustards one more time before they dissappear and not much else. Other then that it’s Sanary-sur-mer, Marineland and Phoenix zoo.

On the long way down, I was looking for a one full day stop somewhere halfway (Dijon, Lyon somewhere around there). The best option I could find sofar had been Parc des Oiseaux. The species line-up there is ok but less exceptional then I thought (for someone living quite close to Walsrode). Is there anything there exhibit wise worth stopping for?

Or perhaps anyone else suggestions when hugging the route du soleil?
Click to expand...

Parc des Oiseaux might not have a Walsrodean collection, it does have a set of large and beautiful walkthrough aviaries. So I would suggest it is worth a visit and with black-faced spoonbill and some other gems there is quality to the collection too.
 
lintworm said:
Parc des Oiseaux might not have a Walsrodean collection, it does have a set of large and beautiful walkthrough aviaries. So I would suggest it is worth a visit and with black-faced spoonbill and some other gems there is quality to the collection too.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know I’m spoiled. For a zoo with such a collection it does get very little coverage on this site, perhaps the French keep the real gems to themselves. I might just go and have a look :)
 
Frejus is poor without a doubt,but a "hellhole" is something of an overstatement. Its a largish collection that has somewhat run away with itself,and which would not pass public scrutiny in the UK,but is worth a visit. Ive seen,in around 950 different zoos,one or two real "hellholes" including one in Qatar not far from Al Wabra that was truly hellish. Frejus is certainly not at that level. Your daughter will enjoy Marineland I`m sure.
 
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