Goats, snails, Indian peacocks, Cameroonian mouflons, and hens unlike any others, the biodiversity of the Genevois Haut-Savoyard is as rich as its landscapes. You will be invited into extraordinary farms and gardens, where you will observe the life-cycle and environment of familiar animals, as well as that of more intriguing species. Your experience will be as tasty as it is playful: you will be invited to try several farm products at the end of your visit. Young children love it, and adults can relive parts of their childhood.

La Ferme des Moises - Laëtitia Bibollet and Gérard Salamon invite you to explore the kingdom they share with 70 goats, young and old. During your lovely tour, you will hear all about the secrets of making cheese. This includes different types of goat cheese - fresh semi-hard, hard, soft, fromage frais - you will also find « tapenade » (caper-puree) and fig specialties. It's difficult not to go crazy! You must try the goat cheese «raclette» (melted cheese dish with potatoes and cold meats). Free access to the goats from 5-7 pm. The children will love it!

La Ferme des Moises: Plateau des Moises in Habère Poche. Farmer's market: Tuesday through Saturday 10am-12pm and 4-7pm, Sunday 10am-12pm and 4-6pm. Ph. + 33 (0)450 31 09 05

GAEC Au Coucher du Soleil - See, feel, hear and taste: this is what they suggest you discover at the Ferme pédagogique du Coucher du Soleil, where you will interact with goats, cows, donkeys, sheep and rabbits. You will learn about the dairy industry and taste products made right in front of you. Member of the Welcome to the Farm network.

Lieu dit Sur le Mont 74520 Jonzier-Epagny Picnic spots available. Fee: from 6,90 € (adult). Open year-round. Ph.+ 33 (0)450 352 400

Helixa, the snail farm - Delicate care for a delicate animal: A hatchery, nursery and snail farm that is maintained at a constant temperature and humidity level, where the gastropods are pampered at all stages of their development. They are protected against predators, and the most beautiful specimens are made to hibernate and reproduce the next year. Sébastien, the snail breeder, will tell you his story, full of exciting developments. Don't forget to taste the « escargotine » (snail mousse with garlic) and « escapéro » on toasted bread. It's divine!

Helixa, Sébastien BRIAND, La Ferme aux escargots, 120, chemin de chez Pallud, F-Viuz-en-Sallaz. http://www.helixa.fr/   Ph. + 33 (0)450 36 63 81. Excitement, food tasting, sales

Tropicaland - Beating all odds, Olivier Sourisse and Laurent Bouvard worked passionately to bring life to their tropical garden, where they now have kangaroos, blue peacocks and flying squirrels. They are adorable animals, whose origins are as exotic and diverse as the « caramel (Katsura) trees », yuccas and « monkey-puzzle trees » that make up the habitat. You will end your visit on a deck-chair on the shady terrace sipping a little... exotic-flavoured drink.

Sales and visits from Tuesday through Sunday, 2-6pm, May to September. Adult: 6 €, Child: 4,50 €. Tropicaland, Route de Saint Julien, Songy, F-74580 Viry. http://www.tropicaland.com/.  Ph. + 33 (0) 609 70 13 16.

Photo: Tropicaland