Elton John's friend, Robert Bourne, is in line to become the hate figure for thousands of children on the Riviera as he moves to deprive them of one of the classic days out. The zoo at Cap Ferrat, a lovely place to go on a hot summer's day, is to close at the end of September. After fifty years, the site is to be transformed into a luxury health spa.

The zoo was recently sold by French company Véolia to Londoner and millionaire, Robert Bourne for €11.8 million, and will see over €100 million invested and 300 jobs created. The zoo houses 500 animals and receives over 130000 visitors each year.

There has been quite an outcry against this move from locals who see this as another part of the Cote d'Azur becoming an enclosed paradise for a privileged few. Local French paper, Nice Matin, has started a petition to stop this development.

As for Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice among other titles, he has proposed that the animals be rehoused at Parc Phoenix.

THERE IS AN ONLINE PETITION WITH THE NICE MATIN AND ALSO A FACEBOOK GROUP HERE YOU CAN SIGN

It's not like we are short of spas after all!

Ten Tip-Top Spas on the Cote d’Azur Ten tip-top Spas on the Cote d'Azur. Check one of these spas for a pampering you won't forget in a hurry at FR2DAY.com READ MORE