Less than an hour after the doors open, hundreds of people line up to return to Parrot World. After several months of work, the animal park located in Crécy-la-Chapelle is finally opening its doors to the public, sometimes from far away. “We're coming from Val-de-Marne! »Illustrates Julian, who has come to spend a day with his family. The park, whose opening was delayed by the health crisis, became known above all on social networks.
Once inside, the public is directed towards the interior of an immense aviary: about one hectare of surface for ten meters high. Inside, there are around 500 animals that roam freely. They are mainly birds: parrots, amazons, flamingos, which sometimes pass very close to the heads of visitors.
But Parrot World is also home to other South American animals such as a jaguar, Amazonian otters or coatis, small mammals native to this continent. The penguin pond, installed outside the aviary, is also the largest in Europe.
"Quite unique to be able to walk among the birds"
Eric Vignot is at the origin of this park project. A former entrepreneur in sanitary products, he is passionate about parrots and runs a foundation to preserve certain endangered species. Today, he greets the first visitors at the entrance to the park. "I heard almost nothing but positive feedback from this first day" he rejoices.
Visitors, especially families, seem delighted with the visit. "It's quite unique to be able to walk among the birds like that" smiles Camille. “I could see lots of animals that I didn't know! »Adds his Lou, his 5-year-old daughter.
After a tour in the aviary, the youngest can have fun on a farm with alpacas or dwarf goats, or in a high playground. Families who wish can also afford a night in one of the park's five lodges, where you can sleep with a view of the park's animals. The park had pre-sold 550 places, but it is ultimately several thousand people who will have come on August 15 for the opening.
