Zoo de Beauval the Ultimate Guide 2026

Looking for an outing that's out of the ordinary, that combines a love of nature with a passion for animals? Would you like to create unforgettable memories with family and friends? The Beauval Zoo is your ideal destination!

Located in Saint-Aignan, in the heart of the Centre-Val de LoireZooParc de Beauval is home to over 35,000 animals in 800 species, including some exclusive to France, such as giant pandas, snow leopards and koalas. It is one of Europe's most varied zoos, and offers the privilege of witnessing dazzling bird and sea lion shows.

This ultimate guide has been designed to help you plan your visit to Beauval Zoo in the best possible way. It's packed with practical tips and highlights the must-see attractions for an enriching experience.

Are you ready to explore this fascinating universe? Then follow us!

Before your visit: tips and tricks for an optimal experience

Planning your visit to Beauval Zoo? Follow our tips and tricks for an unforgettable day.

Best time to visit

Zoo de Beauval welcomes you all year round, including public holidays. The best time to visit depends on your personal preferences. Each season offers unique experiences:

• Winter : Discover the animals in their winter coat, enjoy the Christmas decorations and the low crowds.
• Spring : Attend the births and admire the blooms, despite a possible increase in attendance due to the school vacations.
• Summer : Enjoy long days and active animals, while coping with the heat and greater crowds.
• Autumn : Admire the autumn colors and watch the animals feast, even though the days are shorter and the weather uncertain.

Buying tickets: options and special offers

To visit the Beauval Zoo, you have two main options for buying your tickets: online to benefit from preferential rates and avoid long queues, or on site at the full price. You can also take advantage of special offers for certain groups.

Consider a stay package including accommodation in one of ZooParc's themed hotels, breakfast and unlimited access, for an even more immersive experience.

Planning your Zoo itinerary

With over 40 hectares to explore, planning is crucial. Prioritize your interests, shows and events. Use the park map or mobile app to optimize your visit, whether guided by chance or meticulously planned, ensuring a magical and enriching experience.

Discover the must-sees at Zoo de Beauval

Zoo de Beauval is a magical place where you can explore reconstructed natural habitats and watch captivating shows. It's a unique experience that combines education and wonder.

Don't miss these major attractions during your visit.

Themed areas not to be missed at Zoo de Beauval

Visit ZooParc de Beauval is renowned for its immersive worlds. With over twenty themed areas spread over several hectares, it offers a veritable journey across the continents, where each zone is designed to recreate the natural ecosystems of the species presented. Here are the must-sees for your visit.

The Equatorial Dome

Inaugurated in 2020, the Equatorial dome is one of the park's most impressive infrastructures. At 38 metres high, it recreates a spectacular tropical environment beneath an immense glass structure. The atmosphere is warm and humid, faithful to the forests of Amazonia, equatorial Africa and Southeast Asia.

More than 200 animal species thrive in the lush vegetation. Among them :

• Manatees, peaceful aquatic mammals under threat

• Dwarf hippos, smaller and more discreet than African hippos

• Komodo dragons, the world's largest lizards

• Douc's langurs, Asian primates with spectacular colors

Suspended walkways and panoramic pools enable immersive observation, offering a real immersion in a reconstituted tropical ecosystem.

The Great South American Aviary

Opening in 2021, the Great South American Aviary offers an aerial walking experience unique in France. Thanks to an elevated footbridge, visitors can walk through a vast area dedicated to South American birds.

More than 500 birds, representing some 40 different species, fly freely. You can observe :

• Macaws in flamboyant plumage

• Toucans with colorful beaks

• Slender ibises

• Andean condors, among the world's largest flying birds

The layout evokes South American landscapes, with cliffs, dense vegetation and waterfalls, creating a complete immersion in this aerial universe.

The Hippopotamus Reserve

Visit Hippopotamus Reserve is particularly appreciated for its gigantic panoramic window. It offers an exceptional view of the hippos, both on land and underwater.

This device enables us to observe their aquatic behavior at close quarters. Around this African space, other emblematic species are present:

• The crocodiles

• The meerkats

• Hunting dogs, also known as African wild dogs

The ensemble recreates the atmosphere of the plains and rivers of sub-Saharan Africa, while educating visitors about the conservation of endangered species.

Land of the Lions

Visit Land of Lions offers an immersion into the heart of the territory of Africa's big cats. Various observation points - picture windows, panoramic platforms and landscaped areas - allow visitors to admire the lions in an environment inspired by the savannah.

This area is also home to :

• Cheetahs, renowned for their exceptional speed

• Hyenas, often unknown to the general public

• Rhinos, impressive in their power

The landscaping promotes animal welfare while guaranteeing an immersive experience for visitors.

The Chinese zone

Visit Chinese zone is one of the park's most emblematic spaces. It showcases Asian fauna in a carefully designed setting of traditional pagodas and landscaped gardens.

Among other things, we discover :

• The famous giant pandas, symbols of cooperation between France and China

• Snow panthers

• Red pandas

• White tigers

Visit ZooParc de Beauval is now one of the few European parks to house giant pandas, making it a must-see destination for fans of Asian biodiversity.

Shows and entertainment

Zoo de Beauval offers fascinating shows and activities to help you learn all about animals while promoting their protection. Don't miss :

• Les Maîtres des Airsa free-flying bird show featuring a wide variety of species. It's an opportunity to discover parrots, pelicans, eagles and sacred ibises, as well as their ecology.
• Sea Lions Odysseyfeaturing sea lions in amusing acrobatic acts. The show highlights the intelligence and sensitivity of these mammals, while raising awareness of their conservation.
• From educational events with the zoo's scientific mediators, who share their knowledge of animal life, nutrition, reproduction and conservation. You can also attend special feeding sessions for certain species, such as lemurs, penguins and manatees.

Practical tips for a successful day

Prepare for your visit to Beauval Zoo and maximize your experience with our recommendations for dining, accommodation and services.

Dining at the Zoo: options and tips

At Zoo de Beauval, enjoy a vast choice of 16 food outlets, from traditional restaurants to snack bars and crêperies, offering culinary specialties from the four corners of the globe. Whether it's egg rolls at the Bamboo Corner, galettes at La Roseraie, burgers at Kilimanjaro, or a cold beer at El Tuparro, there's something for every palate.

For those who prefer a home-cooked meal, the zoo has two inviting picnic areas near each entrance. Please note, however, that the park does not allow tote bags filled with packaged food, rigid coolers, hard liquor, bottles of wine or packs of beer.

To avoid queues and enjoy a less crowded park, we recommend taking your lunch after 2pm. Use the Beauval e-Porte Monnaie for quick and easy payment via QR Code, simply by pre-loading your catering budget.

Accommodation tips: where to sleep nearby?

To extend your Zoo de Beauval adventure, opt for one of the ZooParc's 5 themed hotels, transporting you to worlds ranging from Mexico to China, from Indonesia to Africa and Vietnam, with accommodation, breakfast and unlimited access to the ZooParc included.

Alternatively, a variety of self-catering accommodations such as gites, B&Bs, campsites or partner hotels are available, giving you the freedom to choose what best suits your budget and preferences.

Services available: rentals, lockers, and more

Beauval Zoo makes your visit easier with a range of services:

• Strollers for hire at €9/day (ID and €200 deposit required) for an easy walk with your little ones.
• Wheelchair hire, bookable by telephone, providing access to most of the park.
• Instructions are available for safely depositing your personal belongings during your visit.
• Motorhome reception with free parking, including access to water and electricity, for one night on site.
• Leashed dogs welcome, except in certain areas, with dog boarding available for your peace of mind.

Beauval Zoo prices

Visit ZooParc de Beauval offers a range of prices to suit families, occasional visitors and enthusiasts wishing to return several times a year. Prices vary according to age, length of visit (1 or 2 days) and any current promotional offers.

Tickets give access to all the park's themed areas, educational activities and animal shows (depending on the season). Certain specific experiences (soigneur d'un jour, special tours, catering, accommodation) are subject to additional charges.

Tentative rates for 2026

Here is a table summarizing standard rates for an individual visit:

💡 Rates may change according to season, special offers or events. We recommend consulting the official website before your visit.

Family and group rates

The Beauval Zoo also offers :

• From discounted rates for groups (over a certain number of people)

• Special offers for works councils

• Combined packages including accommodation in park hotels

Schools and leisure centers benefit from special conditions, with special rates and educational support.

Family rates at Zoo de Beauval

Unlike some theme parks, Zoo de Beauval does not systematically offer a single “family package”, but applies a differentiated price scale according to the age of visitors. The advantage lies in the reduced price for children (aged 3 to 10) and free admission for children under 3.

How does the family benefit work?

• Child rate lower than adult rate

• Free for toddlers

• 2-day tickets are often more cost-effective

• Off-season special offers

The main attraction lies in the 2-day package, particularly suited to families wishing to visit large areas such as the Equatorial Dome or the Grande Volière without rushing.

Case study: family of 4

Let's take the concrete example of a family made up of :

• 2 adults

• 2 children (aged 7 and 9)

Option 1: 1-day tickets

Option 2: 2-day tickets

👉 Analysis:

• The supplement for an extra day is €76 for the whole family.

• On a per capita basis, the second day costs around €19 per adult and €17 per child.

• Given the size of the park (over 40 hectares) and the number of species (over 35,000 animals), the 2-day option is generally more comfortable.

Annual pass

For regular visitors, the annual pass can be particularly advantageous. It allows you to :

• Unlimited access for 1 year

• Discounts on selected stores and restaurants

• Period-specific benefits

The pass pays for itself on the second or third visit in the year.

Tips for paying less

To optimize your budget :

• Book your tickets online in advance

• Choose periods outside school vacations

• Watch out for seasonal special offers

• Compare 1-day and 2-day packages according to your program

Given the size of the park (over 40 hectares) and the number of species on display, a 2-day visit is often recommended to get the most out of the experience without rushing.

Conclusion

Zoo de Beauval is an exceptional place that promises an unforgettable adventure. Discover captivating animals in themed areas that evoke a journey across the continents.

You can also take part in entertaining shows and activities that will arouse your curiosity, stimulate your imagination and enrich your knowledge. And take advantage of services designed to make your visit even more enjoyable.

Why wait? Book your ticket for Beauval Zoo now! It's a unique experience you won't want to miss, and one you'll never forget.

FAQ

How much does admission to Beauval Zoo cost?

The cost of admission to Beauval Zoo varies according to the type of ticket, the date of your visit and the age of the visitor. According to the official website, a one-day ticket costs between 29€ and 36€ for children aged 3 to 10, and from 36€ to 40€ for visitors aged 11 and over. For a two-day ticket, prices range from 55€ to 66€ for children, and from 66€ to 79€ for adults.

When is the best time to visit Beauval Zoo?

August is considered the best time to visit the Beauval Zoo, thanks to its favorable weather conditions including less rain and more sunshine, plus the variety of activities available. However, to avoid the crowds, consider planning your visit between March and June or September and October, excluding school vacations and long weekends in May.

Do I have to pay to park at Beauval Zoo?

Parking at Beauval Zoo is free. Visitors have access to eight parking lots, including one specially designed for motorhomes, all located close to the zoo entrance.

What is the nearest large town to Beauval Zoo?

The city of Tours, renowned for its rich artistic and historical heritage, its vineyards and its architecture, is the nearest major city. Beauval zooabout 60 km northwest of the park.

What other animal parks in France are not to be missed?

France has a wealth of zoos and animal parks that are not to be missed. Here is a non-exhaustive list:

• Visit zoo de la Palmyrenot far from Royan in Charente Maritime
• Visit valley of the apes in the Vienne department
• Planet Exoticain Royan.