Xploria La forêt à explorer le temps Go back in time and discover nature in a different way!

The forest to explore through time: Xploria, an adventure like no other

Over a kilometer of trail, Xploria takes you through several billion years of Earth and life history. In the shade of the great trees, true witnesses of time, the forest becomes your vessel to travel through the ages.

Earth's formation, continental drift, volcanism, climate change, mass extinctions: discover the upheavals that shaped our planet and caused thousands of species to appear, disappear and evolve.

Along the way, life-size dinosaurs, extinct animals, fossils, bones, footprints, and reconstructions bring these ancient worlds back to life. Several excavation areas also invite young and old to get involved and step into the shoes of a paleontologist.

And here, the present helps us understand the past: mosses, ferns, trees, ponds, insects, and birds that surround you also tell the story of life. The glass-enclosed pond and the areas dedicated to biodiversity offer a different way of observing nature today and understanding how different life forms gradually established themselves on Earth.

Dinosaurs that lived here

No need to travel to the other side of the world to walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs! Ariège and the south of France are true lands of paleontological discoveries, especially for the Cretaceous period.

At Xploria, discover real bones, fossils, and remains found in the region, alongside pieces from collections around the world. The exhibit also features several dinosaurs and animals that once lived in our lands: a different way to look at the landscapes that surround us today!

And the story continues to unfold. Research is still being conducted locally, and some discoveries directly enrich the exhibition. You will notably be able to discover Azilestes ragei, a new species unearthed by the creator of Xploria.

Here, paleontology does not just tell the story of the past: it is still experienced today in the field.

A universe created on site

Xploria has its own unique identity, and for good reason: much of what you will discover was conceived and created directly on site.

Original drawings and illustrations, museography, sets, staging, reconstructions and even some of the animals are designed specifically for the tour.

The exhibition is not based on a standardized universe: it blends science, artistic creation, research, and imagination. New discoveries, new pieces, and new creations regularly enrich the visit.

Each part of the route has its own atmosphere, its own history and its own way of taking you on a journey.

Practical aspects

The path is suitable for all-terrain strollers; strollers with small wheels may be less comfortable on some sections.

On site, you will find toilets with a changing table, a food service area and several picnic areas to fully enjoy your visit.

Do you have a question before coming or a specific need regarding accessibility? Don't hesitate to contact us to best prepare your visit.

And to extend the discoveries, Xploria can easily be integrated into a day or a stay in Ariège: about thirty minutes away are La Ferme aux Reptiles, in La Bastide-de-Sérou, as well as the underground river of Labouiche, in Baulou, two other visits very popular with families.