Jurques brings together a range of things to discover: the zoo, the Espace Naturel Sensible “Landes et tourbières de Jurques”, the Neolithic megalithic monument La Pierre Dialan, and traces of the town’s history and architecture. Zoo de Jurques moved to Jurques in the Calvados department in 1977. When choosing Jurques for a stay, you can first consider whether animal care, landscape or historical sites are your main interest. What kind of zoo visit appeals to you, which landscape features define the area, and which historical periods would you like to learn more about?
Zoo: Circular Trails and a Look at Animal Care
Zoo de Jurques is divided into two circular trails that are accessible with a pushchair. As access conditions can change, check them before your visit. The bookable “Soigneur d’un jour” experience offers a different perspective: participants get a behind-the-scenes look and accompany the animal-care team in their daily work. Activities include preparing food, feeding animals, caring for enclosures and learning about animal food preparation; daily tasks may vary. Check the experience’s availability for your preferred date as well.
The two offerings differ in their focus: the trails structure the zoo visit, while “Soigneur d’un jour” focuses on the work of the animal-care team. If you are considering making the zoo a key part of your stay, this distinction can help you choose between a walk around the zoo and a practical look at the team’s work.
Heathland and Rare Plants
The Espace Naturel Sensible “Landes et tourbières de Jurques” lies on a broad sandstone ridge that reaches an altitude of 300 to 350 metres. The area includes wet heath, meso-hygrophilous heath, meso-xerophilous heath and tall heath. Meso-hygrophilous heath includes northern Atlantic wet heath, a habitat of community interest. The substrate, aspect and climate favour the presence of rare plant species. Together, these details paint a picture of a landscape shaped by its relief, different types of heath and site conditions that favour rare plants. This is a different focus from the zoo: here, the emphasis is on the landscape features and their particular site conditions.
La Pierre Dialan and the Town’s History
La Pierre Dialan is located in the Bois du Nid du Chien in Jurques. The Neolithic megalithic monument is classified as a historic monument, and the surrounding area offers space for walks. This brings together a specific cultural site and a setting for walks: the monument itself and walks in its surroundings offer different ways to explore the area.
A workshop and post-war reconstruction also offer insights into different periods in the town’s history. A pottery workshop in Jurques operated from the mid-19th century until 1915. For post-war reconstruction, Claude Berson worked in ten communes in the Calvados department, including Jurques. Separate from this is the use of Jurques sandstone as a building material in the reconstruction architecture of the 1950s and 1960s. Three distinct aspects emerge: a craft business, Berson’s work across several communes, and a local material used in the architecture of those decades.
Discover more destinations: Danestal, Castilly, Notre-Dame-De-Courson, Bayeux, Beuvron-en-Auge, Les Moutiers-en-Cinglais, Trouville-Sur-Mer, La Pommeraye.
For the regional travel overview: Calvados.
