The Parc des Oiseaux, in Villars-les-Dombes (Ain), is open from 1 April to 11 November 2026, every day except Monday, from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (entrance closes at 4:30 pm); an adult ticket costs €25 on site. Thirty minutes from Lyon by car or regional train (TER), this 35-hectare (86-acre) park presents, by its own figures, 250 species and 2,000 birds. This page details the official prices, the day’s program (flying bird show, Loris Loft, keeper talks), train access and an exclusive calculation: how much rain to expect over the opening season.
The park is a classic outing from Lyon: see our ideas for visiting Lyon and, more broadly, our France guide.
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Parc des Oiseaux: key facts
- 2026 season: 1 April to 11 November; closed to the public on Mondays — checked on 23 October 2026 on parcdesoiseaux.com
- Hours: opens 9:30 am, entrance closes 4:30 pm, park closes 5:30 pm.
- Prices (1-day ticket 2026): adult €25; senior (65+) €23; junior (13-25) €22; child (3-12) €18; family package (2 adults + 2 children) €76 — checked on 23 October 2026 on parcdesoiseaux.com
- Dated online ticket: discounted rate « from » €16 adult and €12 child.
- Flying bird show: free, about 25 minutes, cancelled in rain, strong wind or extreme heat.
- Pets: not allowed.
- Parking: free.
Parc des Oiseaux tickets and prices
The official ticket office offers three options: the 1-day ticket valid all season, the dated promotional ticket (web exclusive, variable price) and the annual pass, valid for one year from the first visit.
| Option | Adult | Child 3-12 | Other rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-day ticket, 2026 season | €25 | €18 | Senior (65+) €23; junior (13-25) €22; family €76; reduced rate (disability, priority or CMI card, the French mobility inclusion card) €12 |
| Dated promotional ticket (web) | from €16 | from €12 | Senior from €15; junior from €14; family from €68 |
| Annual pass | €48 | €32 (ages 6-12) | Toddler (3-5) €22; reduced €28 |
| Group (15 people or more) | €20 | €16 | By reservation |
Destination de Voyage calculation based on these prices: the adult annual pass (€48) pays for itself from the second visit at the on-site rate (2 × €25 = €50). For a family of 2 adults and 2 children, the family package (€76) saves €10 compared with individual tickets (€86). The paid activities (Graine de soigneur, Soigneur d’un jour, guided tour) can be booked online up to 48 hours in advance.
The day’s program
| Event | Published time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Flying bird show | 3:30–4:00 pm | Free; doors open 10 minutes before; subject to available seats |
| Loris Loft | 10:30 am–12:30 pm and 2–5 pm | Cups of nectar on sale on site |
| Panoramic Tower | 10 am–5 pm | Free; 27 m (89 ft); 2 elevators; closed in thunderstorms or strong wind |
| Keeper talk – Pelican pond | 11:00–11:15 am | |
| Keeper talk – Lemurs | 2:15–2:30 pm | |
| Keeper talk – Penguin cove | 3:00–3:15 pm | |
| Magic show | 5 sessions between 10:30 am and 4:30 pm |
The show takes place in an amphitheater: vultures, ground hornbill, kingfisher, white pelicans, parrots, spoonbills and ibises follow one another, according to the official presentation. The park is located in the heart of the Dombes, the « region of 1,000 ponds », which, it says, attracts many wild birds.
Best time to visit: weather and rain over the season
The show is cancelled in rain, strong wind or extreme heat, so the weather matters. As Météo-France publishes no station for Villars-les-Dombes, we use the Lyon-Bron normals. Sunset is calculated at the GPS coordinates published by the park.
| Month (15th) | Max | Min | Rainy days (≥ 1 mm) | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 17.4 °C (63 °F) | 7.2 °C (45 °F) | 9.0 | 20:26 |
| May | 21.5 °C (71 °F) | 11.2 °C (52 °F) | 10.3 | 21:05 |
| June | 25.6 °C (78 °F) | 15.0 °C (59 °F) | 8.5 | 21:32 |
| July | 28.2 °C (83 °F) | 17.0 °C (63 °F) | 7.5 | 21:27 |
| August | 28.0 °C (82 °F) | 16.6 °C (62 °F) | 7.2 | 20:49 |
| September | 23.1 °C (74 °F) | 12.8 °C (55 °F) | 7.3 | 19:52 |
| October | 17.7 °C (64 °F) | 9.6 °C (49 °F) | 9.9 | 18:54 |
| November | 11.4 °C (53 °F) | 4.9 °C (41 °F) | 9.4 | 17:08 |
Destination de Voyage calculation: over the 2026 season (1 April to 11 November), Lyon-Bron averages about 63 days of rain of at least 1 mm, roughly one day in four. The driest months are July, August and September (7 to 7.5 days); May is the wettest (10.3 days). In July and August, highs exceed 28 °C (82 °F): extreme heat can also lead to the 3:30 pm show being cancelled. Sunset is not an issue: it falls after the 5:30 pm closing time throughout the season, except in November.
Getting to the Parc des Oiseaux from Lyon
- By TER regional train: 30 minutes from Lyon-Part-Dieu or Bourg-en-Bresse to Villars-les-Dombes station, then a 20-minute walk. On Saturdays and Sundays, a shuttle links the station to the park in 5 minutes (€2, payable to the driver).
- By car: 30 minutes from Lyon via the A46, exit no. 3 Villars-les-Dombes; free parking.
- Published GPS coordinates: 45.9921876, 5.0242340.
- Accessibility: the park describes itself as fully accessible; the Panoramic Tower has 2 elevators up to its 3 landings.
The park also mentions a Saturday TER offer (discount from 2 people): check its conditions on the TER Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes website before you go.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Coming on a Monday: the park is closed to the public that day.
- Arriving after 4:30 pm: the entrance closes an hour before the park.
- Bringing your dog: pets are not allowed.
- Counting on the show on a rainy day: it is cancelled in rain, strong wind or extreme heat.
- Taking the shuttle on a weekday: it only runs on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Booking an activity online the day before: web booking closes 48 hours ahead.
What to see nearby
The park combines well with a stay in Lyon: see our guide to visiting Lyon. For more ideas in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, our Auvergne page presents the volcanoes, including the Puy de Dôme.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Parc des Oiseaux open?
In 2026, from 1 April to 11 November, every day except Monday, from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm; the entrance closes at 4:30 pm.
How much is entry to the Parc des Oiseaux?
On site in 2026: €25 adult, €18 child aged 3 to 12, €76 for the family package. Dated online tickets start at €16 for an adult.
What time is the Parc des Oiseaux show?
On 23 October 2026 the official page showed one session from 3:30 to 4 pm. The show is free, lasts about 25 minutes and may have several sessions depending on the season.
How do you get to the Parc des Oiseaux by train?
Take the TER to Villars-les-Dombes (30 minutes from Lyon-Part-Dieu), then walk 20 minutes or take the weekend shuttle.
Are dogs allowed at the Parc des Oiseaux?
No, pets are not allowed.
How long does a visit to the Parc des Oiseaux take?
The official website publishes no duration. With 35 hectares (86 acres) and a program running up to the 3:30 pm show, plan on the whole day.
Our sources
- Parc des Oiseaux (parcdesoiseaux.com): Home, Opening hours and access, Prices and ticket office, Bird show pages, consulted on 23 October 2026
- Météo-France: climate sheet for Lyon-Bron (69029001), 1991-2020 statistics
- Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm, IANA Europe/Paris time zone, applied by Destination de Voyage to the GPS coordinates published by the Parc des Oiseaux (15th of each month, year 2027)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026. Prices and hours may change: check the official website before you go.