ZooSafari et Chateau de Thoiry
2 Rue du Pavillon de Montreuil, Thoiry, Yvelines, Île-de-France, 78770
Combining Renaissance grandeur with wildlife adventure, this zoo and gardens is located on the grounds of a historic château outside Paris. In addition to animal enclosures with species from around the globe, this zoo features a drive-through savannah with roaming lions and other large animals, giving visitors the thrill of an African safari, right in the heart of France.
The basics
The highlight of the ZooSafari is an expansive park designed to resemble an African game reserve, with free-roaming lions, wildebeests, kudus, zebras, and elephants. Visitors remain in their own vehicles and drive slowly along 5 miles (8 km) of roads to view the animals. The zoo also has a more traditional walk-through section featuring clear viewing tunnels and international species like tigers, gibbons, red pandas, lemurs, wolves, pygmy goats, and even Komodo dragons. The ZooSafari is located on the 370-acre grounds of the historic Château de Thoiry, built in the 16th century for the Counts of La Panouse. Visitors can also stroll in the 95-acre botanical gardens that surround the castle.
Things to know before you go
- Add-on activities include a thrilling zipline above the lion enclosure and a Safari Air Park with jumping nets.
- The zoo has a self-service restaurant and a few snack vending machines throughout the park; picnics are also welcome.
- Look for the château’s central stone arch, placed to mark the rising sun during the summer and winter solstices.
- The zoo is wheelchair accessible, but the château requires wheelchair users to transfer or be carried up a few steps.
How to get there
Parc Zoologique et Chateau de Thoiry is located 33 miles west of Paris on route N12. It is best reached by car and plenty of parking is available on-site.
When to get there
The zoo, safari park, and château are open daily, with extended hours during the summer. Visit on a weekday for smaller crowds. The park is aglow each winter with the annual Thoiry Lumières Sauvages festival, when hundreds of illuminated lanterns and figures are installed throughout the gardens.
Paris with Kids
While Paris may conjure up images of hushed museums, sophisticated restaurants, and other grown-up fare, there's plenty for little ones to love in the City of Lights. If you don’t have time for a day trip to the ZooPark in Thoiry, get an urban wildlife encounter at the Parc Zoologique de Paris or the Ménagerie at the Jardin des Plantes. Kids can also burn off some energy at the Jardin des Tuileries playground, take a spooky stroll through the Paris Catacombs, or spin on the vintage carousel at Luxembourg Gardens.
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