The Refuge Animalier de l'Arche, a real haven of peace for around 1500 local and exotic animals, lies in a lush green environment covering 15 hectares in thes commune of Saint-Fort, near Château-Gontier. It takes care of injured, sick, mistreated and abandoned mammals, birds and reptiles, which find peace and balance here after a difficult start in life. Once they have been treated and cured, the animals are released into their natural environment: only the ones that are most dependent on humans are kept. A great adventure worthy of Noah's ark, whose story began in 1974, when a bunch of friends picked up an animal they had found by the roadside...
Open to the public all year round, the Refuge de l'Arche provides viewing and observation terraces for its visitors, so they can admire the animals in a peaceful environment, as well as signs and educational materials. The 150 species on display include lions, bears, tigers, leopards, wolves, monkeys, owls, herons and swans. There are three discovery trails: long circuit - short circuit - countryside circuit!
