A magical park where butterflies are king
Le Paradis du Papillon in Sanguinet, near Biscarrosse and the Bassin d’Arcachon, is a greenhouse housing butterflies from around the world. To enable lepidopterans to develop serenely, the greenhouse recreates their living environment. To visit this park is to plunge into a very special ecosystem, with a touch of the exotic, which transports us to faraway lands.
An atmosphere with a temperature of 22 to 28°C, humidity reaching 80%, a gentle rustle of air, verdant flora with a well thought-out selection of plant species… It’s like plunging into a small tropical jungle: carnivorous plants, orchids, ferns, calatheas, thrive here and welcome butterflies. Lose yourself in this 750m² nature reserve at Paradis du Papillon. The lepidopterans in the park are fairly fearless: during your visit, several butterflies will probably flutter around you.
Butterflies from all over the world
Butterfly Paradise is home to butterflies from Asia, Central America, China, India, Africa and Madagascar. Depending on the season and time of year, the number of butterflies in the park varies between 300 and 600. However, during your visit, around half the butterflies will still be observable. This is because they don’t necessarily fly all the time, or fly only close to the treetops. Some butterflies are so discreet that it’s hard to spot them. That’s why we recommend guided tours.
Butterflies are ephemeral animals, living only 3 to 4 weeks. To keep Paradis du Papillon lively, weekly arrivals are organized. While some of the butterflies come directly from their countries of origin, others are bred exclusively in the greenhouse.
In addition to butterflies, other animal species also live in the park. The praying mantis is one of the local stars. You’ll also find caterpillars, Madagascar cockroaches, spider beetles, silkworms and even fish and a few birds.
Au Paradis du Papillon: practical information
The Butterfly Paradise tour takes less than an hour, but of course you can take your time. In any case, it’s the perfect place to spend time with your children, who will be delighted to be surrounded by butterflies of all colors. To help you organize your visit, here is some practical information about the park:
Opening hours during summer vacation (July 1 to August 31): 10:30 am to 6:30 pm.
The park also opens in April and June and in September from 2pm to 6pm.
Admission fees:
Children: €5
Adults: €6.50
The park has free parking near the entrance. For lunchtime refreshments, you can bring a picnic and set up on the shady pitches near the greenhouse. Children can also have fun in the park’s playground.
Please note that visiting the park is subject to strict regulations. For example, it is forbidden to touch the butterflies, use mosquito repellents or smoke in the greenhouse. The visit must also be a quiet one. All these precautions help preserve the well-being of butterflies, which are fragile creatures.
Paradis du Papillon is located on the road to Biscarrosse, near the 4-star L’Arbre d’Or campsite. You can book a stay with us to enjoy your vacation in Nouvelle-Aquitaine at a campsite near Sanguinet.
