Whether you love animals, or delight in spending time in the great outdoors, there are lots of amazing zoos in France that offer both fantastic animal experiences and stunning surroundings which you’re sure to enjoy. Here, we share some of our favourites.
ZooParc de Beauval – Loire Valley
Everything about the Loire Valley is picturesque, so it’s not surprising that this popular destination is home to one of the most beautiful zoos in France. Covering 40 hectares of parkland, ZooParc de Beauval has been named the number one zoo in France, and is home to 10,000 animals across 600 different species.
During a visit here, you can expect to see everything from alligators and Tasmanian devils to elephants and manatees, so you’re sure to spot your favourite animal as you wander around. One of the ZooParc de Beauval’s highlights is its pandas, as they are the only pandas in France. The zoo’s original male and female panda welcomed a baby into the world in 2017, which was a very exciting moment due to how rare it is for them to reproduce.
See animals from around the world in the Australian greenhouse, African savannah, and on the Asian plain, and explore the zoo’s islands too. You can listen to a number of educational animal talks throughout the day, and see shows performed by birds and sea lions too. The ZooParc de Beauval is part of a number of research and conservation projects around the world, so you can be confident that you’re supporting a good cause when you visit.
Cerza Safari Park – Normandy
Spread across 70 hectares of forest and valleys, Cerza Safari Park in Normandy was created with animal welfare in mind, meaning that its residents are given more freedom than you might see elsewhere in France. This zoo boasts 120 species from 5 continents, and welcomes 300,000 visitors each year, which is testament to how great it is.
Cerza Safari Park has two routes that guests can follow: the red route and the yellow route. The red circuit takes an hour to complete and is home to a whole range of African animals, including lions, white rhinos, giraffes, and dwarf hippos. It’s on this route that you’ll find the big cats and the playful lemurs too. The yellow route is a little longer and will take an hour and a half to complete. Here, you’ll see a number of open and wooded areas that house everything from spectacled bears and white tigers to capybaras and kangaroos.
During your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to feed some of the animals, including kangaroos, giraffes, and lemurs, and there’s also a mini farm where you can feed goats, pigs, and chickens. If you’re travelling with children, don’t forget to pay a visit to the zoo’s 3D cinema which shows a film about a boy who crosses the continents and meets different animals along the way.
La Palmyre Zoo – Charente-Maritime
If you’re heading to the south west of France, you might like to visit La Palmyre Zoo in the country’s Charente-Maritime region. Located in the Coubre pine forest, this zoo prides itself on the unique surroundings that it has created for its animals – all of which reflect their natural habitats. With a great reputation for its conservation, education, and research efforts, La Palmyre Zoo has animal welfare at its heart.
Walk around the zoo’s 4.2km circuit and you’ll see all of your favourite mammals, reptiles, and birds. Discover a number of big cats, including lions, tigers, and cheetahs, see the underwater activities of sea lions and otters, and marvel at other zoo favourites, such as elephants, giraffes, and white rhinos. One of La Palmyre Zoo’s biggest attractions is its impressive Ape Space. Home to 2 groups of chimpanzees, a group of orangutans, and 5 gorillas, you can see these fascinating creatures from a panoramic viewing area when they’re inside, or on their island complex complete with waterfalls when they’re outdoors.
You’ll be excited to know that there are around 250 births at the zoo each year, so seeing some babies during your visit is very possible! There are also two shows, one by the sea lions and one involving parrots, which take place during the summer, so remember to schedule these into your day before you set off around the circuit.
Nausicaa Aquarium – Boulogne
Perhaps Nausicaa isn’t technically a zoo, but animal lovers are guaranteed to have an amazing time here. Located just 30 minutes from Calais port by car, this is the perfect place to visit during a day trip. Boasting over 58,000 animals across 1600 species, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into an underwater wonderland when you visit.
The aquarium is split across three different sections: Journey on the High Seas, Mankind and Shores, and Ocean and Climate. Each section is home to a variety of different creatures, and you’re sure to learn loads about the ocean and how it’s impacted by both man and other factors during your time here.
Two of the aquarium’s most impressive features are its 5 metre by 20 metre underwater viewing window, and its 18 metre long underwater tunnel. Both of which give you the opportunity to admire the fascinating sea life in an immersive way. As you make your way through Nausicaa, you’ll also be able to play games and take quizzes on interactive screens, which are just as fun for adults as they are for children!
With so many great zoos in France to visit, book your Dover to Calais crossing and start planning your animal adventure today!
