The facility is uniquely heated by the cooling water outflow of the Civaux Nuclear Power Plant, maintaining a constant tropical temperature.
The greenhouse structure spans 5,000 square meters and houses over 200 crocodilians.
The park contains the 'Dragon's Lair,' an immersive section designed to mimic the mythical habitats associated with dragons.
It is home to several rare species, including the critically endangered gharial.
The site features a suspended bridge system, allowing visitors to walk directly above the reptile enclosures.
The greenhouse supports a diverse range of tropical plants that thrive in the facility's year-round climate-controlled conditions.
La Planète des Crocodiles, now branded as Terre de Dragons, is a specialized vivarium located in Civaux, France. The site features a 5,000-square-meter greenhouse housing over 200 crocodiles, alligators, and caimans from various global species. The facility utilizes waste heat from the adjacent Civaux Nuclear Power Plant to maintain a tropical climate for the animals. Visitors traverse a network of glass-walled walkways and elevated bridges to observe the reptiles in habitats designed to replicate their natural environments. The park integrates educational displays regarding the biology, conservation, and evolution of crocodilians. It also houses botanical collections, including exotic plants that thrive in the regulated high-humidity environment. The layout allows for close-proximity viewing of predators both on land and underwater.
The elevated suspension bridge provides a panoramic view of the central enclosure, ideal for photography.
Bring a bottle of water as the high humidity inside the greenhouse can be dehydrating.
Wear layered clothing, as the interior is kept at a constant tropical temperature regardless of the weather outside.
Check the daily schedule upon arrival for feeding times, which are the most active periods for the animals.
Avoid rushing through the educational exhibits near the entrance, as they provide necessary context for understanding the species housed in the main greenhouse.
Closed on certain days during the low season, typically Mondays and Tuesdays; check the official calendar for winter maintenance closures.
Do not tap on the glass or feed the animals; stay on the designated paths at all times.
