Page 51 - Enjoy-it 2024

Midway between Geneva and Lyon is the historic village of Ambronay in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of eastern France, famous for its 11th century abbey, market, Michelin starred restaurant, and for La Ferme de Bozzi!
A charming farm attraction in its second year in the business of fun!
Whilst the farm park is the most recent addition to the tourism draw of the beautiful village, this family-run attraction has certainly made its mark, and since 2012 the journey from family home with ten-acres, to a popular 17-acre farm park has been as natural as the fun on site itself!
When the owners moved in those years ago, with their three daughters, all under 10yrs; Georgie, Daisy and Lola, and the park’s namesake Bozzi (Boris the family’s well-travelled Border Collie) they had a quiet life,
simply inheriting a couple of geese and a horse with
the property which itself required some development. But what smallholding would be complete without a few laying chickens – so off to the market the family went, and it seemed that their horse was lonely – so off to the market they went, returning with two ponies for company. That was somewhat of a bargain as one of them was in foal – three for two seems to be a theme for the owners as there were also the sheep that needed rehoming that they spotted on the way back from
a wedding, so they popped them in the back of the Landrover, and soon discovered they were in lamb as well, can you see a pattern here?
As the family collected animals; peacocks, donkeys, ducks, pigs, rabbits, Guinea pigs, goats, and received the odd cow or two from locals, it seemed to the daughters that there was only one thing to do, share the love with locals and visitors to the area! And La Ferme de Bozzi was born!
With a few alterations to the farm in terms of fencing, signage, toilets and picnic tables, the park was ready to open its gates to the French public.
On the opening day and asking for nothing more from the visitors than kindness to the animals, good word of mouth and to come back again soon, the park became
a resounding success. Expecting a couple of hundred visitors and receiving over 1,500 through the gate on that first day brought home the brilliance of the concept.
Ambronay and surrounding areas has needed a family space such as La Ferme de Bozzi, somewhere that families can come, where the children can experience animals, the great outdoors and most importantly learn while having fun. Other visitors include couples without outside spaces to enjoy, animal fans and school groups.
The park is forever evolving, there is a sensory course in the forest where children can run barefoot over the leaves, moss, logs and rocks – it is incredibly popular.
There’s also a 4,500sqm lake in the middle of the grounds around which there is a delightful, fenced walkway. Children can handle the smaller animals, walk the ponies and most importantly learn about what it takes to care for a pet.
There is a modest entry fee, which Lola Day, a park manager, who is now 18, is quick to point out is reinvested straight back into farm upkeep, improvements, feed, fencing, vet and farrier fees and the overall welfare of their four-legged and feathered friends.
Each year the season is launched officially by a charming open day hosted by the family, and patronised by local notary including the mayor, where the public is invited
to join in the fun and meet all the animals, enjoy a picnic, watch the feature displays and spend the day in the countryside.
The family is exceptionally proud of what the girls have achieved in such a short period of time and the pleasure that the park is giving so many.
But who is proudest of all? Bozzi of course – at a ripe old age of 15 he still patrols the grounds chatting to all his friends, those that live with him and you the visitor – it really is quite the family achievement!
La Ferme de Bozzi, Le Clos, 36 Route de St Jean le Vieux 01500 Ambronay
0033 6 70 24 43 40
www.domainedesilans.com
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