Parc de Merlet, Les Houches in the French Alps

Merlet Animal Park, Les Houches

One of the top things to do with kids in Chamonix during the summer is visiting Parc de Merlet, or Merlet Animal Park. This animal park located in Les Houches, about 20 minutes from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, covers 20 hectares and is home to eight animal species, seven of which are indigenous to the alpine region, including the ibex mountain goat, chamois (antelope), marmot and deer. The non-native animal living at the park is the llama.

Merlet Animal Park

For the 2024 season, Merlet Animal Park will be open from Wednesday, 1 May to Sunday, 29 September.

Advance booking is required on weekends and public holidays in May, June and September, and throughout July and August. Book your ticket at http://www.parcdemerlet.com/en/prepare-your-visit/

Merlet Animal Park, Les Houches

The animals roam freely throughout this open habitat of pasture and forest and you’re required to keep a distance of at least 10m. On the sign below, there’s a count of how many of each type of animal you might see around Parc de Merlet.

List of animals at Merlet Animal Park

Related: Guide to Visiting Chamonix in Summer

Merlet Animal Park

There are two ways to explore the park: by following an easy, 1 hour long trail with stroller access or by following a more challenging 2 hour long trail that takes you up the slopes for more unique viewing opportunities. During our first visit, we went along the easy circuit with a stroller and I’d recommend bringing the baby carrier if you’d like to enjoy a nice hike and follow the longer, steeper trail.

Merlet Animal Park Chamonix

We saw mostly ibexes, deer and llamas while we walked around the park, and we were blown away by the stunning panoramic views of the Chamonix valley and Mont Blanc massif.

Merlet Animal Park

We loved watching the ibexes in particular as they effortlessly leapt onto the building roofs, for a unique view of their own. The alpine ibex is a mountain goat with incredible climbing skills that tends to live at high altitudes (up to 3000m) above the snow line.

Alpine ibex at Merlet Animal Park

Related: Europe Road Trips with Kids

Merlet Animal Park, Les Houches

During our second visit to Chamonix, Parc de Merlet was at the top of our list of places to visit again and this time we followed part of the steeper trail into the woodland. We saw chamois, deer and an ibex from a distance and enjoyed exploring other areas of the park.

Family day out at Parc de Merlet

Related: La Bourgeoise Samoëns Hike, French Alps

Family day out at Parc de Merlet

Picnics are not allowed inside the Merlet Animal Park, but you are welcome to use the picnic tables in front of the park entrance. You will need to have your hand stamped for re-entry, which you can do on your own at the exit.

There is a restaurant, Le Balcon de Merlet, which offers traditional cuisine between 13€ and 22€ along with a children’s menu. The restaurant has a terrace overlooking the valley.

Le Balcon de Merlet

Mont Blanc massif

The Merlet Animal Park gift shop has the most adorable collection of alpine animal plush toys.

Merlet Animal Park gift shop

A short drive away from Chamonix, Parc de Merlet is a fantastic place to visit for watching local wildlife roaming about their natural habitat and enjoying hikes with stunning panaromic views of the Chamonix valley and the Mont Blanc range.

Over the summer (July and August), there are daily information sessions, opportunities to meet the park guides and more hands-on activities.

Parc de Merlet (Merlet Animal Park)

Address: 2495, Chemin de Merlet, 74 310 Les Houches, France

Opening Hours (2024 season, open from 1 May to 29 September): May, June, September: open from 10 am to 6 pm, closed on Mondays. Open on holidays: 1 and 8 May, 9 May (Ascension Day); July and August: open every day from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm 

Tickets: Adult tickets cost €9; child tickets (4 to 15 years old) cost €6. Children under 4 enter free. Advance booking is required. Book your ticket at http://www.parcdemerlet.com/en/prepare-your-visit/

On Site Restaurant: Le Balcon de Merlet offers traditional cuisine between 13€ and 22€ along with a children’s menu. The restaurant has a terrace overlooking the stunning view of the mountains and valley.

Family-Friendly Facilities: Play area with sand pit and toys, picnic tables outside the park (no picnics allowed inside), easy trail circuit with stroller access, restrooms and souvenir shop by restaurant.

Parking: Four free parking lots, starting from 1000m from the entrance. The parking lot closest to the park entrance is reserved for disabled. Our visit was during the off peak season so we were able to park pretty close to the entrance, however, during busy periods you may need to park at the lots located 1000m away.

www.parcdemerlet.com

French Alps with Kids Guide

I hope you found some inspiration and ideas from our list of family hikes in the French Alps. Hiking is one of the top things to do with kids when staying in Chamonix or Morzine, and there are plenty of options around these areas to enjoy outdoor adventures in the mountains.

Read on for more tips and reviews for planning a family summer trip to the Alps;

Europe Road Trips with Kids

Guide to Visiting Morzine in Summer

Guide to Visiting Chamonix in Summer

Family Hikes in the French Alps

Grand Balcon Sud Chamonix Hike – La Flégère to Planpraz

La Bourgeoise Samoëns Hike, French Alps

Hike to Lago d’Arpy, Aosta Valley, Italy with Kids

This post was updated on 26 January 2024 with the most up to date information for visiting the park in the upcoming season.

PIN FOR LATER – Merlet Animal Park in Les Houches, Chamonix Valley

Parc de Merlet Les Houches

  1. I think I’d go for the easier route too – all the views look stunning though, love visiting animal parks. #MondayEscapes

  2. I’ve loved your Chamonix pictures on Intagram – it looks incredible at this time of year and I know my girls would love the animal park! #MondayEscapes

  3. This animal park looks amazing! Not only the goats on the roofs, but also that view! It’s spectacular! Definitely pinning for later.

  4. I absolutely cannot get over the views. Staggering. The goats on the roof tickle me as well. Beautiful location. #mondayescapes

  5. I think this looks amazing, a proper animal park showing animals where they should be – up on rooves!! Thanks for joining up again to Monday Escapes.

  6. The place looks so beautiful and idyllic!

  7. Amazing scenery – love a bit of mountainscape

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