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The Beauval Zoo is one of the largest zoological parks in the world, home to more than 800 animal species. Located in Saint-Aignan in the Loir-et-Cher department, it features rarities such as giant pandas, koalas and manatees. How do you plan a successful visit? Star animals, unmissable shows, prices and tips: here is everything you need to know!
Plan a great day at Beauval Zoo from your luxury campsite!
Beauval Zoo stands out for its exceptional diversity of species. It regularly features in the world’s top 5 zoos according to several international rankings. The park is home to more than 800 species and 35,000 animals across 44 hectares.
As for rarities, Beauval is the only zoo in France to display giant pandas. It is also home to koalas, okapis, white lions and manatees. Spectacular shows such as “Les Maîtres des Airs” or “L’Odyssée des Lions de Mer” punctuate the day.
Species conservation is another strong point. Beauval supports many conservation programmes around the world. Dozens of endangered species are bred here under conservation programmes. The visit is as committed as it is entertaining!
Among the park’s 800 species, some really make the reputation of Beauval Zoo. Here are the animals to see first:
Beauval Zoo is the only French park to display giant pandas. The pair Huan Huan and Yuan Zi arrived under a cooperation agreement with China. The park later welcomed the birth of Yuan Meng, the first panda cub born in France. You can watch them from the Panda Forest, a dedicated area designed to recreate the atmosphere of a humid Chinese forest.
Beauval is one of the rare zoos in Europe to display koalas. These marsupials live in an area recreating the Australian habitat. Alongside the koalas, you will see kangaroos, wallabies and cassowaries in the Oceania section. Information on their way of life enriches the visit along the route.
The Equatorial Dome is a flagship attraction of Beauval Zoo. This tropical space several dozen metres high houses hippos, exotic fish and many bird species. A cable car flies over the whole site for an aerial view. The high temperature and humidity plunge visitors into a real jungle.
Big cats hold pride of place at Beauval. White lions, Sumatran tigers, cheetahs and jaguars move through large enclosures that recreate their natural habitats. The park also houses several great ape species: gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans share the Great Apes House. African and Asian plains complete the experience with giraffes, rhinoceroses and elephants.
Our favourite: to experience Beauval Zoo at the animals’ pace, arrive at opening time, 9 am. Start your route in the Panda Forest. The pandas are more active in the morning, when it is cool. End the day with the cable car to admire the park from above before closing. This way you avoid the peak-hour crowds.
Beauval Zoo offers several shows and attractions that structure the day. Book your places early to avoid disappointment in high season.
These are the highlights not to miss:
Here are the main things to know before visiting Beauval Zoo.
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Entry to Beauval Zoo costs 35 euros per adult. Allow 28 euros per child aged 3 to 10. Entry is free for children under 3. Special rates exist for large families, the 2-day pass and school holidays. Visitors who book in advance get a discount on the official website.
Françoise Delord founded Beauval Zoo as a bird park. The park then grew into the ZooParc de Beauval. Her son Rodolphe Delord now runs it. The Delord family also runs the Beauval Nature association, which funds species conservation programmes around the world.
For a comfortable stay at Beauval Zoo, allow 2 days. The park’s paths cover more than 7 kilometres between the animal areas. During school holidays, plan generously to enjoy the shows, the Equatorial Dome and the Terre des Lions. Spending a night on site makes things easier.
Beauval Zoo is in Saint-Aignan, in the Loir-et-Cher department. The park lies in the Loire Valley, in the Centre region. It is reachable in 2 hours and 30 minutes from Paris via the A10, then the A85. Saint-Aignan-Noyers railway station is 5 minutes away by car.
On the African side, Beauval Zoo features the Terre des Lions, the African plain and the hippo pool. You will see white lions, African lions, elephants, rhinoceroses and giraffes. This area immerses visitors in the savannah across several hectares of recreated landscapes.
The must-see shows at Beauval Zoo are “Les Maîtres des Airs” and “L’Odyssée des Lions de Mer”. The first brings together more than 400 birds in an aerial ballet. The second features sea lions and fur seals in an adventure setting. Book your seats as soon as you enter the park.
Yes, Beauval Zoo is perfectly suited to children and families. From age 3, they enjoy the animals, the shows and the play areas. The park provides a free discovery booklet and stroller hire. Families also benefit from special rates for a 2-day stay.
