Visit Beauval Zoo: tickets, prices, opening times

Beauval ZooParc 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 is home to over 10,000 animals of 600 different species spread over 40 hectares. Recognised as one of the most beautiful zoos in the world, Beauval attracts almost 1.5 million visitors every year to admire its famous giant pandas and discover its extraordinary biodiversity. Whether you’re planning a one-day visit or a multi-day stay, this comprehensive guide will give you all the essential information on prices, opening times and practical advice for visiting Beauval Zoo in the best possible conditions.

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Practical information for visiting Beauval Zoo

ZooParc de Beauval is located in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, a charming commune in the Loir-et-Cher department in the heart of the Centre-Val de Loire region. This privileged location puts the zoo close to the famous châteaux of the Loire, and just 40 kilometres from Blois, the prefecture of the département. Saint-Aignan itself is well worth a visit, with its medieval town dominated by a Renaissance castle and its Romanesque collegiate church with remarkable frescoes.

To plan your visit to Beauval Zoo, it’s essential to allow plenty of time. The park covers an area of 40 hectares and offers a rich programme of discovery, requiring a minimum of 5 hours to complete. However, to make the most of the experience and attend the various shows on the programme, it’s best to devote two full days to your visit. This will allow you to explore the 94 areas and enclosures at your leisure, admire the zoo’s 10,000 residents without rushing, and take part in the educational activities on offer throughout the day.

Download the audio tour to discover Blois on foot and on your own

Make the most of your stay in the region to discover Blois, the historic capital of Loir-et-Cher. Less than an hour from Beauval Zoo, this royal town invites you to take a trip back in time through its cobbled streets and majestic castle. Thanks to the Navaway audio tour, you can explore the town’s 20 places of interest on your own, from its royal castle to the bishop’s palace gardens, via Saint-Louis cathedral and the banks of the Loire. It’s the perfect way to round off your discovery of the Loire Valley.

Admission prices and tickets for Beauval Zoo

Prices at Zoo de Beauval vary according to the type of ticket chosen and the age of visitors. A 1-day ticket costs €41 for adults (aged 11 and over) and €34 for children aged 3 to 10 inclusive. Children under 3 are free. If you opt for a 2-day ticket, valid for two consecutive days only, the price rises to 67 euros for adults and 56 euros for children.

It is important to note that these prices correspond to the prices charged directly at the ZooParc entrance. However, you can benefit from advantageous discounts by buying your tickets online in advance. Not only will you save a few euros, but you’ll also avoid queuing, which is particularly useful during busy periods.

Zoo de Beauval also offers preferential rates for disabled visitors. On presentation of the Mobility Inclusion Card (CMI), MDPH proof of disability, recognition as a disabled worker, disability card or priority card, the reduced rate applies to the disabled person and their companion, who must present themselves together at reception.

Your ticket to Zoo de Beauval includes access to all the park’s attractions. You will be able to attend the bird show “Les Maîtres des Airs” and the sea lion show “L’Odyssée des lions de mer”, presented from the end of March to mid-November, free of charge. Access to the “Le Nuage de Beauval” cable car is also included, giving you an exceptional panoramic view of the park and its residents. Finally, a visit to the Equatorial Dome, a tropical area unique in France, is an integral part of your experience at no extra charge.

ZooParc de Beauval opening times

Zoo de Beauval has the advantage of being open all year round, every day of the week, including Sundays and public holidays. This permanent accessibility means you can plan your visit at any time, whether it’s for a family weekend, a school holiday or a weekday getaway to avoid the crowds.

The park opens at 9am every day, giving you the chance to arrive early to enjoy the morning calm and observe the animals as they wake up. The park closes at different times of the year, depending on the season and the time of sunset, so you can make the most of your visit whatever the time of year.

The zoo’s different areas may have slightly different opening times. The giant pandas’ territory, for example, follows a specific schedule: from November to February, access is possible from 9am to 4.30pm, while in July and August, opening times extend from 9am to 8pm. The hippopotamus reserve also has its own opening times, generally from 9.30am to 6.30pm in summer. The tropical greenhouses, meanwhile, offer extended opening hours, which are particularly appreciated during winter visits.

To make the most of your visit, we recommend that you check the show times when you arrive. “Les Maîtres des Airs” and “L’Odyssée des lions de mer” offer several daily performances in high season, so you can plan your visit accordingly. A detailed timetable will be given to you at the entrance to help you make sure you don’t miss any of the highlights of your day.

How do I get to Beauval Zoo?

Getting to Beauval Zoo is relatively simple thanks to its privileged geographical location in the heart of France. By car, access is made easy by a well-developed motorway network and clear signs as soon as you approach Saint-Aignan. From Paris, take the A10 towards Orléans, then continue towards Vierzon and Tours before following the signs to Saint-Aignan. The journey from the French capital takes around 2? hours, making the zoo an ideal destination for a weekend away from it all.

Once you’re here, parking is no problem. Zoo de Beauval offers visitors eight free car parks with a total of 4,000 spaces. A special car park is available for motorhomes, while there are spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility near the main entrance. There are also dedicated spaces for cyclists and motorcyclists near the reception area.

There are several options for public transport. From Paris, organised coaches offer day trips that include return transport and a break in the medieval town of Saint-Aignan. These packages, which can be booked online, allow you to reach the park at around 10am after a journey of around 2 hours 45 minutes.

If you prefer to travel by train, Blois station is the nearest point of rail access. From late May to November, a Rémi-41 shuttle bus runs between Blois SNCF station and Beauval Zoo. This service, which takes around 55 minutes, even offers discounts on zoo entrance tickets. Please note, however, that this shuttle does not run all year round and its timetables should be checked before departure.

For those wishing to discover the region in a different way, a visit to Blois can be an enriching stage in your stay. This royal town, with its exceptional heritage and easy access, lends itself perfectly to guided exploration thanks to the audioguided tours available, allowing you to combine cultural discovery with a visit to the animals during your stay in the Loir-et-Cher.

What to see and do at Beauval Zoo?

Beauval Zoo offers exceptional diversity with its 600 species spread across 94 carefully designed themed areas. The park’s star attraction is undoubtedly the giant pandas’ territory, “On the Heights of China”. These ambassadors for conservation, on loan from China, live in a reconstructed environment that faithfully reproduces their natural habitat. Watching these extraordinary animals is a special part of your visit, and all the more moving because only a few zoos in the world have the honour of housing this emblematic species.

The tropical greenhouses at Zoo de Beauval are another must-see on your visit. These air-conditioned spaces are home to exceptional flora and fauna in optimal conditions. The great ape greenhouse allows you to observe orang-utans and chimpanzees in a lush green setting, while the bird greenhouse features more than 1,500 specimens from all over the world living in semi-liberty. The gorilla and manatee tropical greenhouse offers a unique experience with these peaceful giants in a lush setting.

Animal shows are one of the highlights of your day at Beauval Zoo. “Les Maîtres des Airs” offers a breathtaking aerial ballet in an open-air theatre where almost 500 birds soar above the spectators. Birds of prey, parrots and other birds demonstrate their natural abilities in a show that is both educational and entertaining. “Sea Lion Odyssey” takes place in the aquatic amphitheatre and features these marine mammals in presentations that highlight their natural behaviour while raising public awareness of ocean protection.

The African plain recreates the vast expanses of savannah where a dozen herbivore species live side by side. Rhinoceroses, giraffes, wildebeest and zebras live together in an area of several hectares, where you can observe the natural interactions between these different species. The area offers exceptional photographic opportunities and is one of the most impressive in the park.

The recently inaugurated Equatorial Dome is an architectural and zoological feat that is unique in France. This structure, 38 metres high and 100 metres in diameter, recreates the tropical canopy on several levels. Jaguars, manatees, tapirs and a host of South American species live in an ecosystem recreated with striking realism.

Don’t forget to take the “Le Nuage de Beauval” cable car, included in your entrance ticket. This cable car gives you a unique perspective of the whole park and allows you to admire the facilities from the air. The journey, which takes around 8 minutes, is a great way to relax while enjoying exceptional photographic views of the animal habitats.

Tips for preparing your visit

To make the most of your experience at Beauval Zoo, a few practical tips are invaluable. Arrive as soon as the zoo opens at 9am to take advantage of the morning calm and observe the animals at their most active. This time of day is also ideal for avoiding the crowds, which are particularly large at weekends and during school holidays.

Download theofficial Zoo de Beauval mobile app before your visit. This free application provides you with an interactive map, show times updated in real time, detailed information on each species and even allows you to create your own personalised itinerary. It also includes a geolocation system to help you find your way around the park.

When it comes to clothing, it’s best to wear comfortable walking shoes, as you’ll be covering several kilometres during your visit. Make sure you wear clothes suited to the weather, as some tropical greenhouses maintain high temperatures and humidity. In summer, don’t forget a hat, sun cream and a bottle of water, although there are refreshment points throughout the park.

On-site catering offers twelve outlets strategically located throughout the park, ranging from quick snacks to more elaborate restaurants. Picnics are not permitted inside the zoo, but there are areas near the car park where you can have lunch before entering or after your visit with an exit stamp.

For families with young children, pushchairs can be hired at the entrance. The park is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility, thanks to specially-designed walkways, lifts and ramps. There are also specially adapted routes to help everyone get the most out of their visit.

If you are planning a two-day visit, the ideal way is to divide up your discovery by exploring the greenhouses and indoor areas on the first day, then the outdoor areas and shows on the second day. This way of organising your visit will allow you to take full advantage of each area without rushing and to attend all the events on offer.

Accommodation near Beauval Zoo

For a complete experience, Zoo de Beauval offers its own themed hotels located in the immediate vicinity of the park. These luxury establishments offer quality accommodation with original themes inspired by different continents. The Beauval Hotels provide privileged access to the zoo and offer packages including accommodation, breakfast and entrance tickets.

TheHôtel Les Pagodes de Beauval transports you to Asia with its inspired architecture and refined decor. The comfortably furnished rooms sometimes offer views of the animal kingdom.Hôtel Les Jardins de Beauval offers a more contemporary atmosphere in a green setting, whileHôtel Les Hauts de Beauval offers panoramic views of the region from its elevated position.

For a more moderate budget, Saint-Aignan and the surrounding area offer a wide range of accommodation. B&Bs, self-catering cottages and family-run hotels welcome you to this well-equipped tourist region. Many of these establishments offer special rates for zoo visitors and advice on how to make the most of your stay.

There are also several campsites within a 10-kilometre radius of the zoo for camping enthusiasts. These establishments, often equipped with swimming pools and leisure areas, are a popular budget solution for families. Some have specially adapted pitches for motorhomes.

If you want to combine your visit to Beauval Zoo with exploring the region, Blois makes a great base for accommodation. This historic town, less than an hour’s drive away, offers a wide range of hotels, allowing you to explore the exceptional heritage of the Loire Valley between visits to the zoo.

What to see and do around Beauval Zoo?

Your stay in the Saint-Aignan region can be enriched by numerous heritage and natural discoveries. The medieval town of Saint-Aignan itself is well worth a visit. Dominated by its Renaissance castle adorned with the shell of St James and the salamander of François I, the town offers a journey back in time with its Romanesque collegiate church and cobbled streets steeped in history.

The Loire châteaux are obviously the region’s main attraction. Chenonceau, known as the ‘Château des Dames’, is a forty-minute drive away and spans the Cher majestically. Chambord, with its unique Renaissance architecture and forest park, is one of the jewels of France’s heritage. Closer by, the Château de Cheverny captivates visitors with its richly furnished interiors and its park, home to around a hundred hunting dogs.

Blois, the prefecture of the Loir-et-Cher department, is a must-see when exploring the region. This royal city, easily accessible from Saint-Aignan, reveals its secrets on an audio tour of 20 places of interest. From the royal castle to the bishop’s palace gardens, via Saint-Louis cathedral and the banks of the Loire, let us guide you on an urban exploration full of historical and architectural surprises.

For lovers of outdoor activities, the Loire à vélo offers signposted routes along the royal river. These cycle routes, suitable for all levels of cyclist, allow you to discover the Loire countryside and easily reach the region’s various tourist attractions. Bikes, including electric bikes, can be hired in most of the stopover towns.

The region’s troglodyte sites offer an original way to discover the local heritage. La Magnanerie, a former silkworm rearing site housed in caves dug into the limestone, offers a fascinating tour of this unique industrial heritage. The mushroom cellars at Les Roches give visitors an insight into the cultivation of button mushrooms in an unspoilt underground environment.

For a more playful approach, the Parc des Mini-Châteaux features the main monuments of the Loire reproduced on a scale of 1:25 in a landscaped park. This family attraction lets you discover the architecture of the châteaux from an original angle, while taking advantage of the green spaces set aside for picnics and relaxation.

In conclusion, visiting Beauval Zoo is an exceptional experience that goes far beyond simply seeing animals. This exceptional park, with its 10,000 residents and state-of-the-art facilities, offers total immersion in the world’s biodiversity while raising awareness of the need to conserve endangered species. Its privileged location in the heart of the Loire Valley means that you can combine this naturalist discovery with the exploration of an exceptional cultural heritage. Whether you choose a one-day visit or a longer stay, get ready to experience unforgettable moments in one of the most beautiful zoos in the world. To enhance your discovery of the region, don’t hesitate to explore Blois and its royal heritage thanks to the audio tours that will reveal all the secrets of this historic town on the banks of the Loire.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to visit Beauval Zoo?

A full day is needed to visit the Beauval ZooParc. A minimum of 5 hours is highly recommended to discover the main features of the park and attend the shows. However, for a complete visit including all the areas, educational activities and shows, it is best to plan for two consecutive days.

What shows are included in the ticket?

Your ticket to Zoo de Beauval includes access to “Les Maîtres des Airs” (bird show) and “L’Odyssée des lions de mer” (sea lion show), presented from the end of March to mid-November. Access to the “Le Nuage de Beauval” cable car and the Dôme Equatorial is also included at no extra charge.

Is parking free at Beauval Zoo?

Yes, parking is completely free at Zoo de Beauval. The park has eight car parks with a total of 4,000 spaces, including a special car park for camper vans. There are spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility near the main entrance.

Can giant pandas be seen all year round?

The giant pandas can be seen all year round in their territory “On the heights of China”. However, opening times vary according to the season: from 9am to 4.30pm in winter (November to February) and from 9am to 8pm in summer (July and August). Intermediate times apply in spring and autumn.

Is Zoo de Beauval accessible to disabled people?

Beauval Zoo is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. Specially adapted paths have been laid out with footbridges, lifts and ramps. Preferential rates apply on presentation of proof, and the accompanying person also benefits from the reduced rate.

Can you picnic at Beauval Zoo?

Picnics are not permitted inside Beauval Zoo. However, the park offers twelve food outlets throughout the site. Picnic areas are available near the car park for lunch before entry or after the visit with an exit stamp.