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ZooParc de Beauval (TL;DR)
Access included: Entry to ZooParc de Beauval (1 or 2 days), with access to all animal habitats, shows, educational presentations, and unlimited cable car rides.
Zones & highlights: 22 themed territories across 45 hectares, featuring giant pandas, big cats, primates, aviaries, and immersive zones like the Equatorial Dome.
Ways to explore: Self-guided exploration at your own pace, scenic rides on the télécabine (cable car), and scheduled animal shows and presentations throughout the day.
Best time to visit: Arrive early to catch peak animal activity and secure good spots for popular shows.
Best upgrade: Choose the 2-day ticket for a more relaxed visit with time to explore all zones, attend multiple shows, and enjoy seasonal experiences like MonstroZoo or Christmas illuminations.
What to expect at ZooParc de Beauval
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Meet Beauval’s biggest stars: the giant pandas
One of the park’s most iconic highlights, the giant pandas draw visitors from around the world. Watching them lounge, climb, and feed is a standout moment that makes this zoo feel truly special.
Explore immersive habitats across 22 animal territories
From big cats and primates to birds and marine life, each zone is designed to reflect the animals’ natural environment. The variety keeps the visit engaging, with every turn bringing a new landscape and species into view.
Ride the cable car for sweeping park views
The télécabine is more than just transport. It gives you a scenic aerial view of the zoo, helps you move easily between zones, and adds a fun extra element that families and first-time visitors especially appreciate.
Catch shows and presentations throughout the day
Live animal shows and educational talks bring extra energy to your visit and offer useful insight into animal behavior and conservation. Arrive a little early for better seats, especially during busy periods and school holidays.
Choose a 2-day ticket for a more relaxed experience
If you want to cover every zone, revisit favorite animals, and fit in shows without rushing, the 2-day option is the better pick. Seasonal extras like MonstroZoo and Christmas illuminations can make it even more rewarding at certain times of year.
Things to know before booking your ZooParc de Beauval tickets
Choose between 1-day and 2-day tickets based on pace The 1-day ticket is best if you want to cover the park highlights, watch a couple of shows, and enjoy the cable car in a single visit. The 2-day ticket is the better choice if you want a slower pace, plan to cover all 22 animal territories, or are visiting with children and prefer not to rush.
Standard tickets already include the main experience Both ticket types include admission to ZooParc de Beauval, access to the animal habitats, educational presentations, and the park’s cable car. This means the core experience is already covered in the base ticket, so you do not need a premium add-on to enjoy the major zones and signature attractions.
The 2-day ticket adds value through time, not extra access The main difference between the 1-day and 2-day options is not exclusive zones but the amount of time you get in the park. With two consecutive days, you can spread out your visit, revisit popular animals, and fit shows and seasonal experiences into your plan more comfortably.
Shows and seasonal experiences can affect which ticket is worth booking If you want to watch multiple animal shows and take your time between habitats, the 2-day option is usually the more practical buy. Seasonal inclusions such as MonstroZoo and Christmas illuminations can also make the longer ticket more rewarding, especially during special event periods.
ZooParc de Beauval map
ZooParc de Beauval zones
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China Heights (Giant Panda Area)
Where: Northern section, accessible via walking paths or the cable car. This is Beauval’s star attraction, home to France’s only giant pandas. Bamboo groves and rocky enclosures create a serene setting where you can watch pandas eat, climb, and nap. Visit mid-morning for the best chance to see them active, and don’t miss the red pandas nearby.
African Savannah
Where: Western side of the park, early along the main exploration route. Wide-open plains bring together giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and antelopes in a shared habitat that feels close to the wild. Elevated viewing points make it easy to spot animals interacting. It’s a great area to pause and take in the scale, especially during feeding times when herds gather.
Hippopotamus Reserve
Where: Eastern zone, mid-route near aquatic exhibits. A standout for its underwater viewing, this area lets you watch hippos glide silently beneath the surface through large glass panels. Above ground, you’ll see them basking and interacting. It’s a cool, shaded zone that offers a different perspective compared to traditional enclosures.
Equatorial Dome
Where: Central hub, shortly after entry and near the cable car route. Step into a massive tropical biodome where heat, humidity, and lush vegetation recreate a rainforest ecosystem. You’ll spot pygmy hippos, manatees, and colorful birds sharing layered habitats. Look up for primates swinging overhead and down for reptiles and fish—this is one of the most immersive, all-in-one zones in the park.
Koala Greenhouse
Where: Tropical eastern wing, after Monkey Pathways and near the vivariums. Step into an Australian-inspired greenhouse where koalas doze in eucalyptus trees while kangaroos and tree kangaroos move through the habitat below. Tasmanian devils add another rare highlight, and nearby tanks bring in a marine element. As the only place in France to see koalas, this zone feels especially special—visit around feeding time for the best views.
Land of the Lions
Where: Southern section of the park, near the cable car route from the elephant area. Rocky terrain and dry scrubland set the scene for lion prides, with meerkats, African wild dogs, and naked mole-rats adding variety to the zone. The multi-level paths give you closer, more dramatic views of the animals as they move through the landscape. This area is especially memorable when the lions are active and their roars carry across the park.
Gorilla Greenhouse
Where: Central greenhouse cluster, near the ray lagoon. This lush indoor habitat brings you close to western lowland gorillas in an atmosphere filled with tropical plants and humid air. Watching a silverback lead the group is the standout moment here, while nearby species and aquatic features add depth to the experience. The viewing areas feel intimate, making this one of the most absorbing stops in the park.
Elephant Plains
Where: Southern expanse, close to the base of the “Nuage” cable car and near the savannah zone. Wide sandy grounds and large pools give Beauval’s elephant herd a spacious setting that is impressive to watch. The habitat also includes okapis nearby, adding contrast between one of the park’s largest animals and one of its most elusive. Pause here for a while if you want to catch the elephants bathing, socializing, or moving together across the plains.
Asiatic Plains
Where: Eastern side of the park, continuing on from the big cat area. This open landscape brings together Indian rhinos, Malayan tapirs, and other species in a habitat shaped by wetlands and grassy clearings. Mud wallows and wide sightlines make it easy to observe natural behaviors, especially on warmer days. It’s a calm, scenic zone that rewards a slower walk and gives the park a very different rhythm from the predator areas.
Animals to look out for
Giant Pandas
Where: China Heights See France’s most famous animal residents lounging, climbing, and feeding in a peaceful bamboo-filled habitat designed to reflect their mountain environment.
Visiting ZooParc de Beauval with kids?
ZooParc de Beauval is one of those rare family attractions that feels exciting for children without turning exhausting for parents. Giant pandas, cable car rides, animal shows, and wide-open habitats keep the day varied, so kids are never stuck looking at the same type of exhibit for too long.
The park is also easier to manage than its size suggests. Wide stroller-friendly paths, shaded walking areas, baby care spaces, and regular spots to pause make it practical even with toddlers. The cable car is a real bonus with younger children, cutting down on long walks while adding a fun ride they’ll remember.
Family cafés and snack stops make meals easy, and the mix of shows, animals, and rest areas helps you pace the day around naps, energy levels, and attention spans.
Plan your visit to ZooParc de Beauval
ZooParc de Beauval is open every day of the year, including public holidays, from 9am until dusk.
Closing time varies seasonally; last admission is as early as 5:30pm in winter and 6:30pm in summer.
The ticket office closes 30 minutes before last admission.
We recommend arriving at opening time on a weekday for the most active animals and shortest queues. The shoulder months of March and September–October are significantly quieter than the summer peak.
ZooParc de Beauval is located in the Loire Valley, 3 km from Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, halfway between Tours and Vierzon.
Address: Avenue du Blanc, 41110 Saint-Aignan, France | Find on Maps
Getting there
Train & bus: Take the train to Blois SNCF station (45 min from Beauval) or Saint-Pierre-des-Corps (55 min). From late May to November, the Rémi-41 shuttle bus connects Blois station directly to the zoo in around 55 minutes — your bus ticket also earns a €2 discount on entry. Taxis are available from all surrounding stations year-round.
Car: From Paris, take the A10, A71, and A85, then exit at N°12 for Saint-Aignan and follow signs to the ZooParc (approx. 2 hrs 15 min). Eight free car parks with 4,000 spaces are available on-site, including dedicated spaces for motorhomes and visitors with disabilities.
Restrooms: Available throughout the park, all equipped with baby-changing areas. Microwave ovens at food outlets for reheating baby meals.
Pushchair hire: Folding pushchairs available at the entrance for €9/day; ID required as deposit.
Lockers: Available near the entrance in multiple sizes.
Playgrounds: Large free play areas near L'Eucalyptus café (elephants) and Le Kilimandjaro (lions), with a carousel on the L'Eucalyptus terrace.
Gift shops: Three thematic shops sell soft toys, books, clothing, games, and collector's medallions. An online shop is also available.
App: Download the free Beauval app for in-park navigation, show schedules, and species information.
Electric vehicles: Charging stations at both entrances (€0.40/kWh).
Wheelchair access: Most of the park is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, though some pathways have steep slopes. Wheelchairs are available for hire on a first-come, first-served basis.
Accessible map: A dedicated map for visitors with motor disabilities marks lifts, accessible toilets, and adapted routes throughout the park.
Audio guides: Audio and text presentations on selected species are available in English via QR codes posted throughout the ZooParc.
Guide dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the park. Note that the walk-through squirrel monkey and bat aviaries in the Equatorial Dome are off-limits to dogs, companions will need to take turns visiting these areas.
Parking: Dedicated disabled parking spaces are available near each entrance.
Animals: Do not feed, touch, or tease the animals. Never bring outside food into animal areas.
Cable car & shows: Remain seated for the full duration of the Nuage de Beauval cable car ride and sea lion show.
Photography: Personal photography is welcome throughout the park. Flash photography is prohibited near sensitive species.
Smoking: The ZooParc is non-smoking. Designated smoking areas are marked on the visitor map.
Pets: Only dogs are permitted, but are not allowed in the tropical greenhouses, Equatorial Dome, show arenas, cable car, North American territory, or Heights of China. Never leave pets in vehicles.
Restricted areas: Do not climb fences or venture beyond marked paths.
Picnics: Picnicking inside the park is not permitted. Covered picnic areas are available at each entrance.
Minors: All visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
ZooParc de Beauval has 16 eateries spread across the park, open seasonally:
L'Eucalyptus: Near the elephant enclosure; a full-service café with a terrace and children's carousel.
Le Kilimandjaro: Situated by the lions' territory; one of the park's main sit-down dining options.
The Equatorial Dome Buffet: A one-of-a-kind dining experience inside the tropical dome itself. Advance reservation is required.
Snack kiosks and fast-food counters are dotted throughout the park for quick bites on the go. Each restaurant offers at least one vegetarian dish, and "tickets-restaurant" vouchers are accepted. During busy periods, the zoo recommends lunching after 2pm to beat the queues.
Visitor Tips
Book tickets online in advance: Queues at the ticket office build quickly, even at opening time. Online booking saves time and usually comes at a reduced rate.
Arrive at 9 AM for the pandas: Giant pandas are most active in the early morning and late afternoon — they sleep for most of the midday hours.
Check show times before you enter: The bird show (Les Maîtres des Airs) and sea lion show (L'Odyssée des Lions de Mer) run on fixed schedules from late March to mid-November. Pick up a timetable at the entrance or check the app.
Use the cable car to navigate: The Nuage de Beauval cable car connects opposite ends of the park — use it to save time and legs, not just for the view.
Eat after 2 PM: Restaurant queues peak at lunchtime. Waiting until the early afternoon makes a noticeable difference.
Plan for two days: At 45 hectares and 22 territories, a single day means making choices. A two-day ticket covers everything comfortably, including the shows and the Equatorial Dome.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Behind-the-scenes experiences, including Keeper for a Day (available for adults, children, and toddlers), are priced separately and must be booked in advance. Slots are limited and tend to sell out during busy periods.
Yes. Ask for an exit stamp when you leave and present it at the entrance to re-enter on the same day. Covered picnic areas are available just outside each entrance if you want to take a break outside the park.
Yes. The visitor map, guide, and most educational signs throughout the park are available in English. Audio and text species information is also accessible in English via QR codes posted at enclosures across the ZooParc.
A minimum of 5 hours is needed to cover the highlights. The zoo recommends planning two full days to explore all 22 territories, attend both shows, and visit the Equatorial Dome without rushing.
Yes. The park has large free playgrounds, activity booklets for young visitors, educational keeper talks, and a dedicated Keeper for a Day programme for toddlers. Pushchair hire is available at the entrance for €9/day.
Yes, parking is completely free. Eight car parks with 4,000 spaces are available on-site, including dedicated spaces for motorhomes, cyclists, and visitors with disabilities. No booking is required.
The park is well set up for wet weather. Four tropical greenhouses and the 12,000 m² Equatorial Dome provide shelter, and most indoor dining areas are covered. Shaded pathways run throughout the park regardless of season.
What to bring
Carry a charged smartphone for your ticket and park map access.
Wear comfortable walking shoes; the park spans 45 hectares.
Bring weather-appropriate layers and sun protection, especially in summer.
Accessibility
The zoo is wheelchair accessible aside from certain areas indicated on-site and on the visitor map.
Dedicated tickets are available for visitors with disabilities; a disability card may be requested.
What’s not allowed
Outside food and beverages inside restaurants/cafés (purchases allowed on site).
Drones without prior authorization.
Additional information
Free entry for children under 3 years old (proof of age may be requested).
Entrances: Nov–Feb and bank holiday weekends/August: use the North Entrance. Rest of year: use the South Entrance.
Shows and schedules: Check daily times on the official website or on-site displays.
Inclusions
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1-day dated entry to ZooParc de Beauval
Access to 22 territories
Two shows included
Educational presentations
Cable car access
Exclusions
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Food and beverages
Souvenirs and retail shop purchases
Personal expenses
These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
What to bring
Carry a charged smartphone for your ticket and park map access.
Wear comfortable walking shoes; the park spans 45 hectares.
Bring weather-appropriate layers and sun protection, especially in summer.
Accessibility
The zoo is wheelchair accessible aside from certain areas indicated on-site and on the visitor map.
Dedicated tickets are available for visitors with disabilities; a disability card may be requested.
What’s not allowed
Outside food and beverages inside restaurants/cafés (purchases allowed on site).
Drones without prior authorization.
Additional information
Free entry for children under 3 years old (proof of age may be requested).
Entrances: Nov–Feb and bank holiday weekends/August: use the North Entrance. Rest of year: use the South Entrance.
Shows and schedules: Check daily times on the official website or on-site displays.
Inclusions
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Ticket valid for 2 consecutive days at ZooParc de Beauval
Access to 22 territories
'Masters of the air' and 'The Odyssey of the Sea Lions' shows included
Educational presentations
Access to the Nuage de Beauval cable car
Exclusions
#
Food and beverages
Souvenirs and retail shop purchases
Personal expenses
These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Tickets
ZooParc de Beauval 1-Day Entry Ticket
What to bring
Carry a charged smartphone for your ticket and park map access.
Wear comfortable walking shoes; the park spans 45 hectares.
Bring weather-appropriate layers and sun protection, especially in summer.
Accessibility
The zoo is wheelchair accessible aside from certain areas indicated on-site and on the visitor map.
Dedicated tickets are available for visitors with disabilities; a disability card may be requested.
What’s not allowed
Outside food and beverages inside restaurants/cafés (purchases allowed on site).
Drones without prior authorization.
Additional information
Free entry for children under 3 years old (proof of age may be requested).
Entrances: Nov–Feb and bank holiday weekends/August: use the North Entrance. Rest of year: use the South Entrance.
Shows and schedules: Check daily times on the official website or on-site displays.