The Nature and Animal Welfare Festival invites you this Saturday in Val-de-Marne.

Meet-up this Saturday, May 23, 2026 at samedi 23 mai 2026 in Chennevières-sur-Marne, in Val-de-Marne (94), for an afternoon devoted to nature, animals and the bond between humans and the living world. The city and the department are co-hosting this nature festival and animal welfare at the Parc départemental de la Plaine des Bordes, a green space of more than 50 hectares perched along the Marne. The free afternoon program includes: flight shows of birds of prey, a meeting with ponies, dog yoga workshops, the making of nest boxes, an introduction to beekeeping… and many other surprises for kids and adults, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

This isn’t the first time the city, the department, and their partner associations have gathered at this site to raise public awareness about wildlife, flora, and animal welfare. Over the years, the event has grown into a notable fixture in the sector, and the reasoning is plain to see: La Plaine des Bordes, with its 9 hectares of parkland and the grounds of the former farm, already hosts a donkey breeding operation year-round, beehives, and community gardens, making it a naturally fitting setting for such gatherings.

Shows, nature workshops and animal encounters

On the activities side, the program is unusually varied. It kicks off with the staple flying raptor shows with commentary, a crowd favorite that lets visitors get up close to birds you don’t normally see. The association Tous les maquis then guides curious visitors to explore the fauna and flora of the park, while Terideal demonstrates eco-grazing, an increasingly popular approach to maintaining natural spaces sustainably. UCPA Sport Access offers an up-close encounter with ponies and horses, and Ferme Rozamis brings its traveling farm, with a bonus butter-making workshop. All of it unfolds in a bucolic setting that feels almost unreal, just a few minutes from the Paris ring road.

On the workshop front, there are plenty of options as well. Dog lovers will be thrilled to find dog yoga sessions and an introduction to dog massage. The more crafty among you can try straw sculpture with Art Evolution or basketry with El Matthew Charlton. The Abeilles des Bordes association, based on site year-round, invites visitors to dive into the fascinating world of bees and their development. The Compagnons Bâtisseurs offer, meanwhile, to build nesting boxes and insect hotels, a concrete gesture for biodiversity. Finally, Unframed Collection puts technology at the service of pedagogy with a virtual reality workshop around animals: an original way to raise awareness about protecting living beings.

A children's space designed for the youngest visitors

Families with children will also find plenty to love in the children’s area set up for the occasion. On the program: a 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. session titled "Tell Me an Animal Story" (for ages 6 and up), nature and animal-themed workshops from 4:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. (spaces limited, plan to arrive early), and a relaxed corner with mats, books, and wooden toys available throughout. A full afternoon to keep little curious minds entertained without them getting tired of it.

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Chennevières-sur-Marne is a town awarded the label “Animal-Friendly City” by the Île-de-France region, and since 2014 has maintained a dedicated animal-welfare delegation within its city council. This day is fully in keeping with the city’s long-running awareness drive on this issue.

The entrance is completely free and access is open all afternoon. The Plaine des Bordes departmental park is reachable by public transport via the 208B RATP bus, Champlain stop ( entrance on Avenue des Bordes) or Centre Commercial stop (entrance on Rue Champlain). An on-site dining area is provided for those with a little appetite. Find all the information on the Val-de-Marne department site and on the city of Chennevières-sur-Marne site.

Who is this event for? This festival is particularly suited for families with children, pet owners eager to learn more about animal welfare, and anyone hoping to spend an afternoon in the green without going too far. Note that dogs are not allowed in Parc de la Plaine des Bordes: please leave your canine companion at home for this outing.

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