Créé par Romane, le 7 mai 2026
Votre guide Ryo
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The ZooParc de Beauval is undoubtedly one of France's most popular tourist attractions. Located in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher in the Loir-et-Cher department, this exceptional zoo houses more than 10,000 animals from 600 different species across 40 hectares. Recognized as one of the world's most beautiful zoos, Beauval attracts nearly 1.5 million visitors each year who come to admire its famous giant pandas and discover extraordinary biodiversity. Whether you're planning a day visit or a multi-day stay, this comprehensive guide will provide you with all the essential information about prices, opening hours, and practical tips for visiting Beauval Zoo in the best conditions.
Practical information for visiting Beauval Zoo
The ZooParc de Beauval is located in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, a charming commune in Loir-et-Cher situated in the heart of the Centre-Val de Loire region. This privileged location places the zoo close to the famous Loire castles, notably just 40 kilometers from Blois, the department's prefecture. Saint-Aignan itself is worth discovering with its medieval city dominated by a Renaissance castle and its Romanesque collegiate church with remarkable frescoes.
To properly organize your visit to Beauval Zoo, it's essential to allow sufficient time. The park extends over 40 hectares and offers a route rich in discoveries that requires a minimum of 5 hours to visit. However, to fully enjoy the experience and attend the various scheduled shows, the ideal is to dedicate two full days to your stay. This duration will allow you to leisurely explore the 94 spaces and enclosures, admire the 10,000 residents of the zoo without haste, and participate in the educational activities offered throughout the day.
Download the audio-guided tour to discover Blois on foot and independently
Take advantage of your stay in the region to discover Blois, the historic capital of Loir-et-Cher. Located less than an hour from Beauval Zoo, this royal city invites you on a journey through time through its cobbled streets and majestic castle. Thanks to Ryo's audio-guided tour, explore the city's 20 points of interest independently, from its royal castle to the Bishop's gardens, passing by Saint-Louis Cathedral and the Loire riverbanks. A perfect escapade to complete your discovery of the Loire Valley.
Prices and entrance tickets to Beauval Zoo
Beauval Zoo prices vary according to the type of ticket chosen and the age of visitors. For a 1-day ticket, expect 41 euros for adults (from 11 years old) and 34 euros for children from 3 to 10 years old inclusive. Children under 3 years old get free admission. If you opt for a 2-day ticket, valid only for two consecutive days, prices rise to 67 euros for adults and 56 euros for children.
It's important to note that these prices correspond to those charged directly at the entrance ticket office. However, you can benefit from advantageous discounts by purchasing your tickets online in advance. This option not only allows you to save a few euros but also to avoid queues, particularly appreciated during busy periods.
Beauval Zoo also offers preferential rates for people with disabilities. Upon presentation of the Mobility Inclusion Card (CMI), MDPH certificate, disabled worker recognition, disability card, or priority card, the reduced rate applies to the disabled person as well as their companion, who must present themselves together at reception.
Your Beauval Zoo entrance ticket includes access to all park attractions. You can thus attend the bird shows 'The Masters of the Air' and sea lion shows 'The Sea Lion Odyssey' for free, presented from late March to mid-November. Access to the cable car 'Le Nuage de Beauval' is also included, offering you an exceptional panoramic view of the park and its residents. Finally, visiting the Equatorial Dome, this unique tropical space in France, is an integral part of your experience at no extra charge.
ZooParc de Beauval opening hours
Beauval Zoo has the advantage of being open year-round, every day of the week, including Sundays and holidays. This permanent accessibility allows you to plan your visit at any time, whether for a family weekend, school holidays, or a weekday escape to avoid crowds.
The park opens daily at 9 am, giving you the opportunity to arrive from the very first moments to enjoy the morning calm and observe animals in their waking activities. Closing times vary according to seasons and adapt to sunset hours, ensuring an optimal visit regardless of the time of year.
Different areas of the zoo may have slightly different hours. The giant panda territory, for example, follows a specific schedule: from November to February, access is possible from 9am to 4:30pm, while in July and August, hours extend from 9am to 8pm. The hippopotamus reserve also offers its own time slots, generally open from 9:30am to 6:30pm in summer season. The tropical greenhouses offer extended hours, particularly appreciable during winter visits.
To optimize your visit, we recommend checking show schedules upon arrival. 'The Masters of the Air' and 'The Sea Lion Odyssey' offer several daily performances in high season, allowing you to organize your route accordingly. A detailed map with all schedules will be given to you at the entrance to help you not miss any highlights of your day.
How to get to Beauval Zoo?
Reaching Beauval Zoo is relatively simple thanks to its privileged geographical location in the heart of France. By car, access is facilitated by a well-developed highway network and clear signage when approaching Saint-Aignan. From Paris, take the A10 towards Orléans then continue towards Vierzon and Tours before following signs to Saint-Aignan. The journey from the French capital takes about 2h30, making the zoo an ideal destination for a weekend getaway.
Once on site, parking is not a problem. Beauval Zoo provides its visitors with eight free parking lots totaling 4,000 parking spaces. A specially designed parking area accommodates motorhomes, while reserved spaces are provided for people with reduced mobility near the main entrance. Cyclists and motorcyclists also have dedicated spaces near the reception area.
By public transport, several options are available. From Paris, organized coaches offer day excursions including round-trip transport and a stop in the medieval town of Saint-Aignan. These packages, bookable online, allow you to reach the park around 10am after a journey of about 2h45.
If you prefer the train, Blois station is the nearest railway access point. From late May to November, a Rémi-41 shuttle connects Blois SNCF station to Beauval Zoo. This service, lasting about 55 minutes, even offers discounts on zoo entrance tickets. However, note that this shuttle doesn't operate year-round and its schedules should be checked before departure.
For those who wish to discover the region differently, visiting Blois can be an enriching stop during your stay. This royal city, easily accessible and with exceptional heritage, lends itself perfectly to guided exploration thanks to available audio-guided tours, allowing you to combine cultural discovery with animal visits during your stay in Loir-et-Cher.
What to see and do at Beauval Zoo?
Beauval Zoo offers exceptional diversity with its 600 species distributed across 94 carefully designed thematic spaces. The park's flagship attraction remains unquestionably the giant panda territory, 'On the Heights of China'. These conservation ambassadors, on loan from China, evolve in a reconstructed environment that faithfully reproduces their natural habitat. Observing these extraordinary animals constitutes a privileged moment of your visit, all the more moving since only a few zoos worldwide have the honor of welcoming this emblematic species.
The tropical greenhouses at Beauval Zoo represent another must-see on your route. These climate-controlled spaces house exceptional fauna and flora in optimal conditions. The great ape greenhouse allows you to observe orangutans and chimpanzees in a green setting, while the bird greenhouse presents more than 1,500 specimens from around the world living in semi-freedom. The tropical greenhouse for gorillas and manatees offers a unique experience with these peaceful giants evolving in a lush setting.
The animal shows constitute highlights of your day at Beauval Zoo. 'The Masters of the Air' offers a breathtaking aerial ballet in an outdoor theater where nearly 500 birds evolve above spectators. Birds of prey, parrots, and other birds demonstrate their natural abilities in a show that's both educational and entertaining. 'The Sea Lion Odyssey' takes place in the aquatic amphitheater and features these marine mammals in presentations that showcase their natural behaviors while raising public awareness about ocean protection.
The African plain recreates the vast savanna expanses where a dozen herbivorous species cohabitate. Rhinoceros, giraffes, wildebeest, and zebras evolve together in a multi-hectare space that allows observation of natural interactions between these different species. This territory offers exceptional photographic perspectives and constitutes one of the park's most impressive spaces.
The Equatorial Dome, recently inaugurated, represents a unique architectural and zoological feat in France. This structure, 38 meters high and 100 meters in diameter, recreates the tropical canopy on several levels. Jaguars, manatees, tapirs, and a multitude of South American species evolve there in a reconstructed ecosystem of striking realism.
Don't forget to take the cable car 'Le Nuage de Beauval', included in your entrance ticket. This cable car offers a unique perspective on the entire park and allows you to admire the installations from above. The journey, lasting about 8 minutes, constitutes an appreciable moment of relaxation while offering exceptional photographic views of the animal territories.
Tips for preparing your visit well
To optimize your experience at Beauval Zoo, some practical tips prove valuable. Arrive at opening time at 9 am to enjoy the morning calm and observe animals in their most active behaviors. This time of day is also ideal for avoiding crowds, particularly heavy during weekends and school holidays.
Download the official Beauval Zoo mobile app before your visit. This free application provides you with an interactive map, show schedules updated in real-time, detailed information about each species, and even allows you to create your own personalized itinerary. It also includes a GPS system to help you navigate easily through the park.
For clothing, prioritize comfortable walking shoes as you'll walk several kilometers during your visit. Bring clothing suitable for weather conditions, knowing that some tropical greenhouses maintain high temperature and humidity. In summer, don't forget hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle, even though dining points are distributed throughout the park.
The on-site dining offers twelve points of sale strategically distributed throughout the park, from quick snacks to more elaborate restaurants. Picnicking is not allowed inside the zoo, but designated areas near the parking allow you to lunch before entering or after your visit with an exit stamp.
For families with young children, know that strollers can be rented at the entrance. The park is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility thanks to specially designed walkways, elevators, and ramps. Adapted routes allow everyone to fully enjoy the visit.
If you're considering a two-day visit, the ideal is to distribute your discovery by exploring the greenhouses and indoor territories on the first day, then the outdoor spaces and shows on the second day. This organization allows you to fully enjoy each space without rush and attend all the proposed activities.
Accommodation near Beauval Zoo
For a complete experience, Beauval Zoo offers its own thematic hotels located in immediate proximity to the park. These high-standard establishments offer quality accommodation with original themes inspired by different continents. The Beauval Hotels allow privileged access to the zoo and offer stay packages including accommodation, breakfast, and entrance tickets.
The Hôtel Les Pagodes de Beauval transports you to Asia with its inspired architecture and refined decoration. The comfortably furnished rooms sometimes offer views of animal territories. The Hôtel Les Jardins de Beauval offers a more contemporary atmosphere in a green setting, while the Hôtel Les Hauts de Beauval offers panoramic views of the region from its elevated position.
For a more modest budget, Saint-Aignan and its surroundings offer a wide range of accommodations. Bed and breakfasts, rural lodgings, and family hotels welcome you in this well-equipped tourist region. Many of these establishments offer preferential rates for zoo visitors and advice to optimize your stay.
Camping enthusiasts also find their happiness with several campsites located within a 10-kilometer radius around the zoo. These establishments, often equipped with pools and leisure facilities, constitute an economical solution appreciated by families. Some offer specially designed spaces for motorhomes.
If you wish to combine your Beauval Zoo visit with discovering the region, Blois constitutes an interesting accommodation base. This historic city, located less than an hour's drive away, has a varied hotel offer and allows you to explore the exceptional heritage of the Loire Valley between zoo visits.
What to visit around Beauval Zoo?
Your stay in the Saint-Aignan region can be enriched with numerous heritage and natural discoveries. The medieval city of Saint-Aignan itself deserves an in-depth visit. Dominated by its Renaissance castle adorned with the shell of Saint James and François I's salamander, the city offers a journey through time with its Romanesque collegiate church and cobbled streets steeped in history.
The Loire castles obviously constitute the region's main attraction. The castle of Chenonceau, nicknamed the 'Ladies' Castle', is located about forty minutes' drive away and majestically spans the Cher river. Chambord, with its unique Renaissance architecture and forest park, represents one of the jewels of French heritage. Closer, the castle of Cheverny seduces with its richly furnished interiors and park where a hundred hunting dogs roam.
Blois, the Loir-et-Cher prefecture, stands out as an essential stop in your regional discovery. This royal city, easily accessible from Saint-Aignan, reveals its secrets through an audio-guided tour of 20 points of interest. From the royal castle to the Bishop's gardens, passing by Saint-Louis Cathedral and the Loire riverbanks, let yourself be guided in this urban exploration rich in historical and architectural surprises.
For outdoor activity enthusiasts, the Loire by bike offers marked itineraries along the royal river. These cycling routes, suitable for all levels, allow you to discover Loire landscapes and easily reach the region's various tourist sites. Bike rental, including electric bikes, is available in most stopover towns.
The region's troglodytic sites offer an original discovery of local heritage. La Magnanerie, a former silkworm breeding site set up in caves carved into limestone, offers a fascinating visit to this unique industrial heritage. The mushroom caves of Les Roches allow you to discover Paris mushroom cultivation in a preserved underground environment.
For a more playful approach, the Mini-Châteaux Park presents the main Loire monuments reproduced at 1:25 scale in a landscaped park. This family attraction allows you to discover castle architecture from an original angle while enjoying green spaces designed for picnicking and relaxation.
In conclusion, visiting Beauval Zoo represents an exceptional experience that goes far beyond simple animal discovery. This exceptional park, with its 10,000 residents and cutting-edge facilities, offers total immersion in global biodiversity while raising awareness about endangered species conservation. Its privileged location in the heart of the Loire Valley allows you to combine this naturalist discovery with exploring exceptional cultural heritage. Whether you choose a day visit or a longer stay, prepare to experience unforgettable moments in one of the world's most beautiful zoos. To enrich your discovery of the region, don't hesitate to explore Blois and its royal heritage thanks to audio-guided tours that will reveal all the secrets of this historic city on the banks of the Loire.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to visit Beauval Zoo?
A full day is necessary to visit ZooParc de Beauval. A minimum of 5 hours is strongly recommended to discover the essential parts of the park and attend shows. However, for a complete visit including all territories, educational activities and performances, the ideal is to plan two consecutive days.
What shows are included in the entrance ticket?
Your Beauval Zoo entrance ticket includes access to the 'Masters of the Air' shows (bird show) and 'The Sea Lion Odyssey' (sea lion show), presented from late March to mid-November. Access to the 'Le Nuage de Beauval' cable car and the Equatorial Dome is also included at no extra charge.
Is parking free at Beauval Zoo?
Yes, parking is completely free at Beauval Zoo. The park has eight parking lots totaling 4,000 spaces, including a specially designed parking area for motorhomes. Spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility are located near the main entrance.
Can you see the giant pandas year-round?
Giant pandas are visible year-round in their territory 'On the Heights of China'. However, access hours vary according to seasons: from 9am to 4:30pm in winter (November to February) and from 9am to 8pm in summer (July and August). Intermediate hours apply in spring and autumn.
Is Beauval Zoo accessible to disabled people?
Beauval Zoo is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. Specially adapted routes are designed with walkways, elevators, and ramps. Preferential rates apply upon presentation of supporting documents, and companions also benefit from reduced rates.
Can you picnic at Beauval Zoo?
Picnicking is not allowed inside Beauval Zoo. However, the park offers twelve dining points distributed throughout the site. Picnic areas are available near the parking to lunch before entry or after the visit with an exit stamp.