Imagine games, art and surprises. All in the open air, by the river. Welcome to Vallon du Villaret, a paradise for little ones… and grown-ups too!
Walking on water, making music with marbles, swinging across the river like Tarzan, trying to get a plane off the ground, moving around in complete darkness, skipping with a jet of water, discovering works of art in the heart of nature… let yourself be surprised by unique installations a world away from traditional theme parks.
Wanted. I’ve lost – or deliberately misplaced – my childlike spirit in the Vallon du Villaret. If you’re passing through Lozère, could you help me find it again?
- 15.50 €
- Per person
- 2 km
- route
- 3 hour-tour
- minimum
An unusual leisure park
Twenty minutes from Mende and three minutes from Bagnols-les-Bains, the Vallon du Villaret theme park has been attracting visitors of all ages since 1993. I’d heard it was a truly unique place, unlike anywhere elsein France… Its hundreds of surprises won me over. And I’m not the only one. Did you know that the park welcomed its millionth visitor in 2019?
Open every day from the Easter holidays until the end of August, and then at weekends until the All Saints’ Day holidays, Le Vallon invites you on a poetic adventure through the Lozère region. This range of experiences in an enchanting setting is available for just €14.50 or €14.50 (depending on the season), and free for children under one metre tall. In terms of practical information, the park is accessible by car, with free private parking, or by shuttle bus throughout the summer.
3 to 5 hours of artistic surprises
Let’s return to the heart of this children’s paradise, where many people come… without children! Once through the large gate, I enter the forest of surprises. The first installation has a strange name: ‘Whistle, sing or whisper; if you like, shout.’ You’ll soon understand… I then make my way through a collection of artists’ works – warm and surprising – and arrive at the edge of the stream. Here’s the big question! Are you going to try crossing the river using the rope? Watch out, you might get wet – I’ve certainly noticed that. Next detour: I come across a strange aeroplane that I try to get off the ground. Children are definitely more resourceful than us! Then, some nets invite me to take a walk through the trees; there are some for little ones and others for grown-ups.
Here we go – get ready for 3 to 5 hours of surprises on a 2km circular trail deep in the forest, alongside a stream teeming with trout. Everyone can explore the Vallon at their own pace, following the signposts along the way. It’s the sort of place that makes you want to take your time. So, the team of experts advise against arriving after 3 pm. This contemporary garden features an inn, shops and even exhibitions in the 16th-century tower.
Unforgettable memories
Everything has been arranged to ensure that the journey remains etched in your memory like an old adventure cartoon you used to watch at snack time. Adults – whether parents or grandparents – enjoy it just as much as teenagers and young children. Whatever your age, you’ll find yourself becoming that comic-book hero you used to imitate in the school playground.
In the end, I’ve changed my mind. So leave my inner child there; I know they’ll look after it and that it’ll be fine alongside yours!
Plan your stay
Where to eat, where to stay, what to do?
Discover all our top picks for a stay in the Lot Valley, near the Vallon du Villaret.
How do I get there?
- The Vallon du Villaret is situated 2.5 km from Bagnols-les-Bains and 22 km from Mende.
- You can get there by car: from Mende, follow the N88 towards Langogne, then the D901 towards Bagnols-les-Bains.
- In the summer, tourist shuttle buses run to the Vallon du Villaret leisure park.
