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All France Beauvoir Alligator Bay

Alligator Bay

Europe's largest community of crocodiles and alligators.

Beauvoir, France

Added By
Tao Tao Holmes
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Crocodile at Alligator Bay   William Warby
Crocodile at Alligator Bay   William Warby
Veiled chameleon at Alligator Bay   William Warby
Albino alligator at Alligator Bay   William Warby
Alligators at Alligator Bay   William Warby
Leopard Gecko   William Warby
  massimiliano20097 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

It’s not exactly what you’re expecting as you zip through Lower Normandy on your Vespa, but it’s hard to miss the bright yellow traffic sign stamped with an alligator and the words ALLIGATOR BAY. 

The fortified island town of Mont-Saint-Michel, in Normandy, France, is best known for its iconic, post-card aesthetics, and an ancient history that traces back to the 8th century. But once you’ve wandered the narrow, cobblestone alleyways of European history, consider wandering around another type of history: crocodilians, one of the few living ancestors of the dinosaurs.

While only 50 or so people reside on the island itself, you can find a much bigger population nearby, a mere two miles away: Europe’s biggest population of alligators. Alligator Bay is home to 150 crocodiles and alligators, including albino alligators, plus a whole panoply of other reptiles.

There are chameleons, gila monsters, reticulated pythons, and all sorts of lizards, which you can check out in “the dragon’s maze.” You can stop by the tortoise farm and meander among some giant African tortoises, or head to the set of walkways that allow you to look down upon scores of alligators and crocodiles. If you want to see them chomping those great jaws of theirs, make sure you visit on the weekend, when they have their feeding sessions.

It's certainly a change from observing the interior of the Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel or touring the ramparts of the nearby ocean town of Saint Malo. After all, alligators are not so native to western France (or any of France). But if you feel like you’ve had a slight overdose of European history, it might just be time to pet some tortoises. 

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Animals Reptiles Zoos Islands

Know Before You Go

The website lists the feeding times for different animals as well as any seasonal changes.Cost is 14 Euros per adult. There are a lot of turtles and other reptiles to see so two hours is a good average visit time

Community Contributors

Added By

taotaoholmes

Edited By

massimiliano20097

  • massimiliano20097

Published

June 14, 2016

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Sources
  • https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1065824-d2282164-Reviews-Alligator_Bay-Beauvoir_Manche_Basse_Normandie_Normandy.html
  • http://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/loi/alligator-bay/beauvoir/fiche-LOINOR050FS000B1-2.html
  • http://www.saint-malo-tourisme.co.uk/stay/what-to-do/your-leisure-st-malo/137766-alligator-bay
  • http://www.a-taste-of-france.com/alligator-bay-normandy.html
Alligator Bay
62, route du Mont-Saint-Michel
Beauvoir, 50170
France
48.600269, -1.512738
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel, France

miles away

Tomb of St. Lénard

Andouillé-Neuville, France

miles away

Rock Sculptures of Abbe Foure

Saint-Malo, France

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of France

France

Europe

Places 692
Stories 72

Nearby Places

Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel, France

miles away

Tomb of St. Lénard

Andouillé-Neuville, France

miles away

Rock Sculptures of Abbe Foure

Saint-Malo, France

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of France

France

Europe

Places 692
Stories 72

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