At the moment Naturospace is open 7/7 non-stop from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

A unique greenhouse
in Normandy

Tropical Paradise

For most of us, butterflies represent the bucolic image of the summer countryside, blending reality and imagination. Their lightness, apparent carefreeness and sumptuous colors make them ambassadors of the animal world. Tropical butterflies are undoubtedly the largest, the most colorful and the strangest, reflecting the incredible diversity of nature in these far-flung regions. At the heart of the butterfly greenhouse in Honfleur, Naturospace invites you to discover the unsuspected beauty of the life cycle of which these winged gems are the ultimate stage, while observing the precious presence of rare tropical birds that share this living ecosystem.

Naturospace: A unique tropical experience

<h3>27°c</h3>

27°c

All year round in the greenhouse

<h3>350</h3>

350

Plant species

<h3>1000</h3>

1000

Butterflies

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Butterflies and tropical flora: the little-known world of Naturospace

Beyond their fascinating beauty, tropical butterflies open a door onto a world that's as exotic as it is captivating: that of the tropics. Naturospace adds an unexpected dimension to this sensory and naturalistic journey, far beyond what we can imagine.

As soon as you enter, the change is immediate. The equatorial atmosphere, warm and humid, surprises and envelops. Gradually, the richness of the plant world is revealed: astonishingly shaped tropical plants, luxuriant foliage, exuberant blooms... A living décor that transports visitors thousands of kilometers across the seas.

And the sense of wonder continues along the way. As you stroll along the trails, you'll discover a whole host of new things, including brightly coloured butterflies, rare tropical birds and unexpected scenes of life.
Ready for a great trip to Ecuador?

So welcome to Naturospace, a zoo like no other, where you can experience a unique and exotic experience in Honfleur, Normandy.

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Group 10

The origins of a passion: From Guyana to Honfleur

My first contact with the equatorial forest was more than thirty years ago, in French Guiana. Back then, Cayenne-Rochambeau airport didn’t have the same look as it does today. We got off the plane right on the tarmac. I vividly remember the moment the doors opened: the dense humidity, laden with unfamiliar smells, immediately enveloped me, in total contrast to the cold, dry air of the cabin.
Then came the vision. The harsh, almost blinding light. The intense red of the laterite floor. And all around, already so close, the forest. An immense, mysterious forest, inhabited by legends and the promise of infinite discoveries. A world apart, profoundly disorientating.
The Amazon rainforest is not easy to get to grips with. It demands patience, respect and humility. But every step is worthwhile. I’ve never been disappointed. I’ve had the rare privilege of travelling through some of its most secret territories, right up to the borders of Brazil and Suriname, in the Tumuc-Humac mountains, where mountains don’t yet have names, only numbers.
It was this initial emotion, this sensory shock and this unbroken fascination for living things, that fuelled the birth of Naturospace.

Benoît Damico
Director and founder of Naturospace

Butterflies and tropical flora: the little-known world of Naturospace

In 1992, Benoît Damico seized the opportunity to reconcile his passion for nature and animals with his professional activity. He developed a business importing and marketing chrysalises for butterfly display greenhouses across Europe. This first step marked the beginning of a career deeply rooted in the world of life and tropical environments.

A few years later, he spent four years managing a butterfly greenhouse in Vannes. This experience was decisive: it enabled him to tackle a new profession, that of managing a tourist site, and to gain a better understanding of the public's expectations, while affirming his vision of a site that is at once educational, immersive and accessible.

At the same time, Benoît Damico founded SARL Émeraude in French Guiana, dedicated to chrysalis breeding. It was also in French Guiana that he took part in a number of large-scale scientific expeditions, including the Kailawa expedition in 2004 and the Marouini expedition in 2006, which involved total immersion in the unexplored areas of southern French Guiana. These extended stays reinforced his in-depth knowledge of the Amazonian tropics and fueled his reflection on the preservation and transmission of these exceptional ecosystems.

Drawing on this hands-on experience, and driven by the desire to share his passion with as many people as possible, Benoît Damico founded Naturospace in Honfleur in 1999. He developed this unique facility with the help of a committed team and several associates who were experts in their respective fields. Since its opening, the site's activity and visitor numbers have grown steadily, confirming the public's interest in this zoo like no other, dedicated to the discovery of the tropical world.

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Naturospace Honfleur

In the midst of butterflies

Enter a tropical greenhouse where hundreds of colorful butterflies fly freely around you, offering a magical and unforgettable moment.

Journey to the Heart of the Tropics

Change climate in just a few steps and immerse yourself in a tropical atmosphere in the heart of Honfleur.

A lush jungle

Discover dense, colorful equatorial vegetation, with rare exotic plants that recreate the atmosphere of a real jungle.

A Moment Out of Time

Take a break from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a moment of calm and wonder amidst fascinating tropical nature.

Dive into Biodiversity

Explore a living tropical ecosystem where plants, butterflies and birds interact, revealing the richness and fragility of biodiversity.

Family Fun

A fun, accessible visit that amazes young and old alike, and allows them to share an original nature experience together.

Tropical heat All year round

Whatever the season, enjoy a pleasant, regulated tropical climate and an exotic break in Normandy.

The Nature Experience in Honfleur

During your stay in Honfleur, experience an original and immersive activity in the heart of an equatorial universe unique in France.

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