Discover ZooParc de Beauval, a world reference with its 35,000 animals spread over 45 hectares. Optimize your day by choosing the right ticket and anticipating show schedules.
Prices and conditions
From 39 €.
Expect good times at the number one zoo in France, plus the cutest pandas.
Thousands of visitors have already booked their visit: reviews and testimonials
★ 4.6/5 · 12 reviews collected directly from visitors and moderated by Visit Tickets
"With my two kids, we had an unforgettable day. The ZooParc de Beauval is huge, but downloading the map before arriving was crucial to optimize our route without exhausting ourselves. We were mesmerized by the gorilla tropical greenhouse, with its humid, lush atmosphere that felt like being right in the heart of the jungle. The grounds are immaculately maintained; you almost feel like you're in the wild."
"A lovely discovery, but you really need to plan for a full day. We saw the giant pandas very early in the morning, right after opening at 9:00 AM, as they are much more active then than the rest of the day. The African savanna offers breathtaking landscapes, with giraffes and rhinos roaming freely. The only downside: some areas lack shade badly during this heatwave, which makes walking more tiring."
"As a British visitor, I was surprised by the quality of the Théâtre des airs. The show Les Maîtres des airs is stunning; even though the content is in French, the magic of free-flying birds speaks for itself. We booked our tickets online to get the reduced rate, a tip that paid off. The Le Nuage de Beauval cable car offers an exceptional panoramic view of the 45 hectares, a real bonus included with entry."
"It’s a zoo unlike any other. The fact that Beauval was the first in France to have leucistic big cats in the 90s shows its historical lead. We were amazed by the tropical greenhouse and the overall cleanliness of the park. You must follow the advice to arrive at exactly 9:00 AM; queues get long after that. The free parking is a pleasant surprise, especially for motorhomes like ours."
"A very nice experience, despite a small frustration. We had to wait in a long line for the show L'Odyssée des lions de mer, and seats weren’t guaranteed despite booking in advance. Fortunately, the atmosphere at the sea lion pool is very friendly. The park is vast, so you need to plan your zones well. The value for money remains very good for a park of this size with 35,000 animals."
"My husband and I loved the African savanna. Seeing wildebeests and white rhinos coexisting freely under the sun is a wonderful lesson in biodiversity. The park is impeccably clean. We used the permitted strollers, which really helped our 4-year-old son navigate the 45 hectares. The ZooParc de Beauval truly lives up to its world reputation; it’s a must-visit."
"The absolute highlight: the giant pandas. Seeing them active in the morning is a rare treat. We also enjoyed the sea lion pool for the interactive show. The staff is warm and welcoming. My only advice is to check the exact showtimes on the official map before heading to the Théâtre des airs, as schedules vary by season and crowd levels. A well-filled day."
"A stunning park, but the physical effort is real. We walked over 15 km, which is tough for people our age. Luckily, we used the cable car to rest and enjoy the view. The ZooParc de Beauval is very well designed, but it lacks gluten-free options in the restaurants, a drawback for those with intolerances. Despite that, the quality of the enclosures and the immersion in nature are unmatched."
"Visited with friends, and we were blown away by the gorilla tropical greenhouse. It’s the most impressive habitat; the humidity and lush vegetation create a unique atmosphere. We also saw the white lions, which was a strong memory. Buying online allowed us to save money and avoid ticket queues. The park is clean, organized, and the 35,000 animals seem well treated. A total success."
"It’s the most beautiful zoo I’ve visited in France. The African savanna is huge, and the animals really seem free. We were able to observe the giraffes up close. The Théâtre des airs is a highlight; watching the raptors in free flight is spectacular. I followed the advice to download the map, which is essential to not get lost in the 45 hectares. The welcome is excellent and the park is very well maintained, a sure thing."
"A very good visit, but you need to pick the right time. We went on a Friday, and the lines for the sea lion pool were interminable. The ZooParc de Beauval is magnificent; the enclosures are spacious and integrated into the landscape. The cable car is a real asset for tired legs. The price is justified by the richness of the content. I highly recommend arriving at 9:00 AM to enjoy the initial calm before the crowds arrive."
"An exceptional family park. The kids loved the sea lion pool and the show L'Odyssée des lions de mer. We were lucky enough to see the giant pandas very early, which was magical. The free parking was a real plus for our large car. The park is clean, the information is clear, and the tropical greenhouse is a place in its own right. We will come back to explore the African savanna in more detail."
Everything you need to plan your visit
PMR
PSH spaces reserved for parking and adapted paths within the park.
Family
Buggies allowed, play areas and shows suitable for young children.
Audio guide
French, English, Spanish
Current conditions and forecast to plan your visit
From a Parisian apartment to France's most beautiful zoo
Park creation
Animals present
Total area
Panda birth
ZooParc de Beauval was born from Françoise Delord's passion for birds in her Parisian apartment. Established in Saint-Aignan in 1980, it now houses approximately 35,000 animals representing 800 species across 45 hectares. This exceptional site remains the first in France to have successfully bred giant pandas in captivity in 2017, consolidating its status as a global zoological reference.
It all began in the 1970s when Françoise Delord started rescuing injured birds at her home in Paris. This growing collection required more space, leading the family to settle in Beauval in 1980. The park developed rapidly thanks to the founders' commitment to animal welfare.
Under the current leadership of Rodolphe Delord, the park constantly innovates in its facilities and conservation efforts. It pioneered the presentation of leucistic big cats, such as white tigers and lions, as early as the 1990s. These successes have made Beauval an international reference in zoology, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to discover these rare specimens.
In 2017, the zoo celebrated a major milestone with the birth of a giant panda, becoming the fourth park in the world to achieve this. This scientific success strengthened its reputation among specialists and the public alike. The park continues to protect rare species such as the golden snub-nosed monkey.
The African and Asian plains allow visitors to observe herbivores in vast natural habitats. Giraffes, rhinos, and elephants coexist peacefully in these open spaces designed for their comfort. Visitors can thus discover the natural behavior of these large mammals.
The tropical greenhouses offer an immersive journey into humid and forest ecosystems. The Great Apes Greenhouse and the Gorilla Greenhouse are particularly popular for their controlled climatic conditions. You will also find sloths, reptiles, and manatees in a lush setting.
Shows are a highlight of the visit, notably L'Odyssée des lions de mer (Sea Lion Odyssey) at the dedicated basin. The outdoor theater hosts Les Maîtres des airs (Masters of the Air), featuring raptors in free flight. These educational animations are included in the ticket but require checking seasonal schedules.
With 45 hectares to explore, it is essential to download the official map or mobile app before arriving. This avoids losing 30 to 45 minutes on unnecessary back-and-forth trips between distant areas like the Chinese zone. Plan your route around must-sees like the giant pandas and white lions.
The park opens at 9:00 AM every day, including holidays, until dusk. Arriving early allows you to see the animals while they are more active before the afternoon heat. Official parking lots are free and include reserved spots for people with reduced mobility.
Online booking offers a reduced rate compared to ticket windows and secures your entry during peak attendance periods. Check specific conditions for children and seasonal rates which may vary. Compliant strollers and pushchairs are allowed to facilitate walking with young children.
35,000 animals and unique experiences
Insider Tips
The park opens strictly at 9:00 AM every day. Arriving at this precise time allows you to avoid queues that can reach 30 minutes later. Furthermore, animals are much more active in the morning, ensuring better viewing opportunities, especially for pandas and primates.
With 45 hectares to cover, it is easy to get lost without preparation. Download the official map from the website or use the mobile app before your arrival. This will save you precious 30 to 45 minutes of unnecessary back-and-forth between distant areas of the park.
Shows like 'The Sea Lion Odyssey' and 'Masters of the Air' have fixed slots that vary by season. Check the schedule upon entry or on the official website to plan your itinerary around these key times, as seats fill up quickly.
Buy your tickets online to benefit from a reduced rate compared to the ticket office price. This method also secures your entry, which is particularly useful during the peak summer season when daily visitor numbers may be limited to preserve the quality of the experience.
All official ZooParc parking lots are free, including the one dedicated to motorhomes. Use these well-signposted spaces to avoid any financial surprises. Specific spots for bicycles and motorcycles are also available near the main entrance.
You can bring your own strollers or baby carriages, provided they are equipped with a handle and safety belt. This economical option ensures immediate availability of transport for little ones tired from walking across the 45 hectares.
The use of drones is strictly prohibited throughout the entire perimeter of the park. Respect this rule to guarantee the tranquility of the animals and the safety of other visitors. Violations may result in immediate penalties and confiscation of equipment by site security.
Visit the Great Ape Greenhouse and the Tropical Gorilla Greenhouse early in the morning, ideally before 11:00 AM. The cool temperature encourages activity among primates and reptiles. Later in the day, these animals often rest, making observation less interesting for visitors.
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Book my ticketsLittle-known anecdotes
In 2017, ZooParc de Beauval achieved a global feat by becoming the first French park and the fourth in the world to successfully achieve giant panda reproduction. This historic birth attracted huge crowds and consolidated the park's international reputation for endangered species conservation.
The zoo was born far from the Loches countryside: it started as a bird collection in Françoise Delord's Paris apartment. It was only in 1980 that the family settled permanently in Saint-Aignan, transforming this private passion into one of Europe's largest zoological parks.
With approximately 35,000 animals spread over 45 hectares, Beauval offers exceptional biodiversity. This area allows visitors to encounter rare or unique species in France, such as the koala or the golden snub-nosed monkey, in a single visit.
Beauval marked the history of French zoology by being the first to present leucistic big cats, notably white tigers and white lions, as early as the 1990s. These rare specimens contributed to the park's fame and remain today one of the main attractions for amateur photographers.
The open-air theater regularly hosts 'The Masters of the Air', a show featuring birds in free flight. This immersive experience allows you to discover the majesty of raptors up close, offering a unique perspective on their natural behavior.
The park houses species considered rare or even unique in France, such as the giant panda, koala, Indian rhinoceros, or manatee. This biological diversity makes Beauval a major site for presenting exotic fauna in France.
Three itineraries depending on available time
Access the Château de Chambord, its gardens, and temporary exhibitions.
From 66,50 €
More must-see experiences in Saint-Aignan
Find the attraction and nearby places to visit
Make time to explore the surrounding area
5 min walk
A major historical heritage site in Loir-et-Cher, this Gothic church houses remarkable stained glass windows dating from the 15th century.
15 min drive
Collection of classical and modern art in the royal castle, a perfect cultural complement after the zoo thanks to its historical rooms.
10 min drive
Traditional local cuisine in a rural setting, ideal for a family meal after the visit with dishes featuring chevon.
8 min drive
A peaceful green space for a stroll before or after the zoo, with varied botanical collections including the rose garden.
5 min drive
For your last provisions or practical souvenirs before heading back towards Tours or Orléans.
Estimated travel times from the main points in the city
Metro : Gare des Lions (6 min walk)
Find a hotel near ZooParc de Beauval
Everything you need to know before your visit
A preview of this exceptional place before your visit
See what to expect during your visit
Quick comparison with other major sites
| ZooParc de Beauval | Paris Zoological Park | Sainte-Croix Safari Park | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of creation | 1980 | 1994 | 1992 |
| Area (hectares) | 45 | 14 | 130 |
| Number of animals | 35 000 | 1 000 | 1 200 |
| Indicative adult rate | 39€ | 18€ | 25€ |
| Special feature | Giant panda breeding | Urban biodiversity | Drive-through tour |
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