In this French zoo, the visit experience is widely worth the detour.
Ideal outing to reconnect with nature, the zoo is one of the favorite outings of the French. One in three visiting each year and we can say that it has the choice: France is home to nearly 300 animal parks of all types. From the simple zoological garden to the animal park, Beauval, La Palmyre, La Flèche or the Paris Zoological Park are the most famous of them. But have you ever heard of a troglodyte zoo? There are only one of this type worldwide. And it is in France!
This animal park is not like the others. Visitors move within dozens of underground paths connecting the different spaces, going from one world to another, observing nearly 2,000 animals of 125 different species in large open spaces, without bars, with for backdrop An exotic decor creating the illusion of observing them in their true natural environment.
Located in the Pays de la Loire region, about twenty kilometers from Saumur, this zoo dedicated to the preservation and the discovery of animal biodiversity has the particularity of being installed in ancient Falun stone extraction careers, promoting the development of cavities and tunnels which offer an original living environment adapted to its inhabitants, a third of which are endangered species such as the Snow panther, dwarf hippopotamus, black rhinoceros, glasses bear, Okapi, Red Panda or Central African Giraffe and Grévy’s zebra. This unique setting has made it the only troglodyte zoo in the world for almost 65 years.
On 17 hectares, the Doué-la-Fontaine bioparc offers a walk that is both educational and contemplative to live on a day of visit. On the program, feeding animations, half a day in the shoes of an animal healer, a walk in the middle of the vultures or a visit to the immense South American aviary, one of the largest in Europe with 600 birds of 30 different species including ARAS, flamingos or even Penguins. The carnivore crater allows you to enjoy a 360 ° view from an island overlooking the Lions family and the GUIPARD groups who sometimes indulge in impressive races …
Do you want to discover this zoo? Reopened since February 8 for his 65th season, he promises dozens of expected births but a large egg hunt planned at Easter, “visits to twilight” in summer and finally, the essential “nature race” gives you You in November in the heart of the bioparc for the benefit of its conservation actions. The animal park is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until March, then from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. until June, and from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in July and August. Count 27 euros per day for an adult and 21 euros for a child (up to 10 years included).