Le Parc Polaire is an animal park in Chaux-Neuve, France, set in the Jura landscape and offering guided encounters with Eurasian wildlife. Unlike a conventional zoo, visits take place on foot through parts of the natural-looking grounds and are always accompanied by passionate guide-keepers. They introduce visitors to the animals’ origins and stories, with opportunities to see species including red deer, reindeer, yaks, mouflon, chamois, fallow deer, European bison and Tarpan horses.

The park also participates in a European breeding and conservation programme for threatened species, particularly the European bison and European forest reindeer. Visitors can join seasonal experiences, including the spring birth season in May and June, autumn red-deer rutting events in September and October, and a “Keeper for a Morning” activity in spring and summer, which lets participants take part in animal care. Annual passes and group and school visits are also featured.

With its guided format, wildlife education and conservation focus, the park creates an immersive experience for visitors of different ages