Parc Des Félins: A Zoo Just For Cats Not Far From Paris

If you have found a vacation rental in Île-de-France, aka the “Paris Region” of France, you will find yourself with no shortage of things to see or do. However, for the cat-lovers among you, there is one thing that you should definitely make time for above all others in the area: a visit to Parc des Félins.

This very special zoological park is dedicated to the breeding and conservation of wild members of the cat family and is home to 30 of the 41 recognised species of felines that exist in the world. A total of around 140 cats roaming this 60 hectare park in Lumigny-Nesles-Ormeaux, Seine-et-Marne, about 53km southeast of Paris, and are just waiting to be admired.

Opened to the public in 2006, it was originally conceived as a new place to hold the overflow of animals that had previously been housed in the Parc d'Aulneau, which had been established in 1998. They wanted to provide for the well-being of these felines and give them an environment conducive to their reproduction.

The park is divided into four geographic areas: the European circuit, African circuit, American circuit, and the Asian circuit. The European circuit is made up of two enclosures in the woods and is occupied by wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris) and the Eurasian lynx. In the African circuits you will find Southern African cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus), African lions (Panthera leo melanochaita), servals (Leptailurus serval), sand cats (Felis margarita), African wildcats (Felis lybica gordoni), Persian leopards (Panthera pardus tulliana), caracals (Caracal caracal), white lions (Panthera leo melanochaita), black panthers (Panthera pardus) and lions (Panthera leo).

The American circuit also has a wide array of species including ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), jaguars (Panthera onca), margays (Leopardus wiedi), Geoffroy's cats (Oncifelis geoffroyi), oncillas (Leopardus tigrinus), pumas (Puma concolor), jaguarundis (Herpailurus yaguarondi), and bobcats (Lynx rufus). In the Asian circuit, you’ll find Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae), Sri Lanka leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya), Asian golden cats (Catopuma temmincki), Asian leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis bengalensis), jungle cats (Felis chaus), fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus), tigers (Panthera tigris, particularly Siberian tigers), Amur leopards (Panthera pardus orientalis), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx wrangeli), Siberian and Mongolian leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura), clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa), snow leopards (Uncia uncia) and Pallas's cats (Otocolobus manul). In addition to all of this, there is a large lemur population in the park, with many species, all of which roam freely about the park.

If you’re visiting this part of France and are looking for a fun day out for everyone – cat lovers and those less keen alike – the park is a truly fascinating place!