Why Beauval is one of the finest zoos in the world
The ZooParc de Beauval, at Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, is regularly named among the most beautiful zoos on the planet in travellers' rankings. Born in 1980 from a simple aviary, it is now home to one of the richest animal collections in Europe, with several thousand animals representing hundreds of species. People come for the diversity, from big cats to manatees, from gorillas to penguins, but also for the quality of the enclosures: vast plains, huge greenhouses, glass-fronted pools. Beauval has also become a major player in the conservation and breeding of endangered species. It is a park you travel through like a journey around the world, and one that complements a stay among the châteaux of the Loire Valley to perfection.
The giant pandas, Beauval's undisputed stars
Beauval is one of very few parks in Europe to present giant pandas, hosted as part of a partnership with China. The birth of panda cubs here was a national event, followed across the whole country. In front of the glass enclosure, you can watch these good-natured giants nibble bamboo for hours on end, with a touching nonchalance. The crowds around the pandas are heavy: it is better to come early in the morning or late in the day to avoid the queue. Nearby, the complex devoted to China extends the sense of escape with its carefully designed architecture. For many families, seeing the pandas for real is the main reason for the visit, and the most memorable moment of the day.
Koalas, tropical greenhouses and the great diversity of animals
Beyond the pandas, Beauval holds one delight after another. The koalas, rare in Europe, doze clinging to their eucalyptus. The vast tropical greenhouses recreate a steamy jungle alive with colourful birds, manatees, sloths and reptiles, amid lush vegetation. The equatorial dome, one of the largest greenhouses in the park, plunges visitors into an Amazonian atmosphere. Elsewhere, the African plains roll out giraffes, rhinoceroses and hippos, while the great-ape world impresses with its closeness to gorillas and orangutans. Each zone of the park is conceived as a coherent biome. Bring good shoes: there is a lot of walking, and every turn reveals a species you were not expecting. It is a place that rewards curiosity at every step.
The bird and sea lion shows not to miss
Beauval puts on several live shows that punctuate the day and delight young and old alike. The free-flight bird show is spectacular: birds of prey, parrots and great gliders cut through the air above the stands, sometimes within centimetres of your head, in a presentation built around conservation. The sea lion show, more comic, plays on humour and the bond with the keepers. These performances take place at set times displayed at the entrance and on the park's app: note them as soon as you arrive so you can build your route around them. Get there a quarter of an hour early for a good seat, especially in high season. They are real highlights, much loved by children, and welcome moments to sit down during a long day on your feet.
How long to allow: one or two days at Beauval
Beauval is a very large park, and a single day is barely enough to see it all. For a first visit, allow a full day, from opening to closing, targeting the highlights in advance: pandas, tropical greenhouses, great apes and one or two shows. With young children, or to enjoy it without rushing, two days are ideal and let you return to your favourite animals without watching the clock. The park offers one- and two-day tickets, as well as combined packages with on-site accommodation. The park cable car and the odd treat along the way help you go the distance. My tip: start with the busiest zones in the morning, and keep the pleasantly warm greenhouses for the heart of the afternoon.
Tickets, prices and tips for planning your visit
Buying tickets online, in advance, is strongly recommended: it guarantees entry on busy days and avoids the queue at the till. Beauval charges adult and child rates, with free entry for the very youngest, and regularly offers dated tickets to choose according to your day of visit. Weekends, school holidays and fine summer days are the busiest; a weekday outside the holidays offers a more peaceful experience. Download the official app for the map, the show times and the waiting times. Plan for a picnic or eating on site, a sun hat and water in summer, and a raincoat in the shoulder season. Always check the opening hours and current prices on the official website before you set off, as they change with the season.
Combining Beauval with a Loire château in the same trip
Beauval fits neatly into a château holiday, as the park is very close to several major sites. Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, where the zoo lies, is only about half an hour from Chenonceau and roughly three quarters of an hour from Cheverny and Chambord. A balanced approach is to devote one full day to Beauval, then another to the châteaux, without trying to do both in the same day with tired children. The town of Saint-Aignan, crowned by its collegiate church and its château, is itself worth a stroll. For families, alternating a day of nature and animals with a day of heritage is the recipe for a successful trip, where everyone finds something to enjoy, from the youngest to the grandparents.
Reaching Beauval from Meung-sur-Loire as a family
From our base in Meung-sur-Loire, the ZooParc de Beauval is a little over an hour's drive to the south, via Blois and then the Cher valley. The journey is simple and pleasant, on quiet roads. Large car parks welcome visitors at the entrance to the park. Set off early in the morning to make the most of opening time, when the animals are at their most active and the paths still clear, especially around the pandas. La Maison du Château, which sleeps up to eight, is a comfortable base for families: you come home in the evening to put your feet up, dine quietly and share the day's stories. Ninety minutes from Paris, it is the ideal base for combining Beauval with the finest châteaux of the Loire.
Beauval is one of the loveliest family outings in the Loire Valley, a true animal journey around the world to round off with the châteaux. From La Maison du Château in Meung-sur-Loire, allow a little over an hour's drive: book your tickets ahead, set off early for the pandas, and ideally allow a full day, or even two with young children.