City: France
Top Things to do in France
What to do and see in France, France: The Best Zoos & Aquariums
– in Europe (green & dark grey)
– in the European Union (green)
Restaurants in France
1. ZooParc de Beauval
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16,141 reviews
Reviewed By dennish488 - Grobbendonk, Belgium
Absolutely stunning, large areas for the animals. Worth a full day visit. Located on a very large area with lots af facilities to play, eat, look at animals from differents perspectives, etc.
2. Parc des Felins
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,363 reviews
Temporary closure until January 25
Reviewed By 157alc - Rhyl, United Kingdom
We went recently while away on holiday it was really worth it and great to visit both parks we are a family of 6 2 adults a 16 13 10 and 7 year old and everyone really enjoyed the day there would highly recommend a visit if you can
3. Zoo de La Fleche
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,529 reviews
Reviewed By 622keiths - Lancaster, United Kingdom
Great zoo. A great variety of animals. Try to catch the feeding times of the Polar bear and Sealions. Take a picnic and stay all day. There are lots of picnic areas.
4. Oceanopolis
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3,158 reviews
One of Brittany's main tourist attractions, this aquarium is known as the biggest open-air aquarium in Europe.
Reviewed By nicolase987 - Brussels, Belgium
Really worth a visit, it’s been my second time there. Really enjoyed it, but you should go in the morning when there isn’t such a crowd.
5. Aquarium La Rochelle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 8,682 reviews
Located in the city center, facing the old harbor, discover one of the greatest European private aquariums. In 2018, the Aquarium innovates and offers a brand new immersion into the underwater world. During 2h, visit the heart of the Ocean, meet over 12 000 marine animals, and be amazed by the biodiversity of the Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea and Tropics. From the fragile jellyfish, to the fascinating sharks, experience a unique journey to dream and understand the Sea.
Reviewed By OrkOcin
The seas and oceans are wonderfully highlighted in this world class aquarium ???? Beware : it can be crowded in summer
6. Aquarium de Biarritz
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3,183 reviews
Reviewed By grsh1980 - Nice, France
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the aquarium this afternoon; there’s plenty to see and enjoy, the space is clean and explanations are clear and educative. Something to be aware of is that there’s no parking on the premises so you’ll have to walk to the aquarium, the closest spot we could find was a few hundred metres away. This place is well worth a visit - excellent.
7. Parc Zoologique et Chateau de Thoiry
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,051 reviews
Thoiry is a rare example of esoteric Renaissance architecture where the sun rises or sets in the central arch following the solstices. Home since 1559 of the Counts of La Panouse, the drawing rooms offer visitors fine family portraits, furniture and tapestries presented by costumed guides. The 300 acre gardens: Rhododendron woods, Maze, Autumn, Rose, and Perfume Gardens, perennial borders give year round pleasure. Thoiry's world famous 350 acre animal reserve is open year round.
Reviewed By Rrralph - Paris, France
I'd been to this zoo once before and loved it (fantastic drive-through safari park and zoo, and a chateau - takes a full day) and suggested to friends that we go and see the new lantern festival while they were in Paris for a few days. It's just magical! It's like a happy dream. Beautiful lanterns everywhere, and it's huge. They've got a copy of the Beijing Summer Temple - it looks like it's almost as big as the real one. Cool light and sound show on the front of the chateau. In the gardens near the chateau there's a classical Chinese them, and then in the woods it's all animals, from beautiful butterflies to life-size giraffes, cranes, flamingos, lions - everything lit up - and there are lanterns and lights dangling high up in the trees all around. Hard to describe. Very strongly recommended to families with children, or without children. It will appeal to all ages. And in the zoo they've added guided tours in safari trucks which we'd have loved to have done if we'd got there earlier. And in summer there's a zipline over the lions! Yikes! It's great.
8. Cite de La Mare
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,405 reviews
Come and visit La Cité de la Mer in Cherbourg, a family attraction all about man’s adventures under the sea, and a must when you are in Normandy. You can spend the whole day here and go round “Titanic, return to Cherbourg”, an exhibition which has its like nowhere else in France. It is on the theme of the celebrated liner, but also on emigration. You will also be able to listen to the Captain of Le Redoutable telling you about his life on board the largest submarine open to the public in the world. Then you will gaze in awe at our 17 aquariums, including the magical, 11-metre-deep, Abyssal Aquarium.
Reviewed By CPKPW
We stopped off on a cruise. The museum was right next to the cruise terminal and worth every euro. The Titanic exhibition was particularly good as was the nuclear submarine.
9. Theatre de Poseidon
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 300 reviews
Reviewed By TimH234 - Gresford, United Kingdom
We all enjoyed the Dolphin show despite the commentary being all in French. It didn't distract from the spectacle, and added to the experience of being in a foreign country. It's technically free to watch as you have already paid to enter the park, and it's a great excuse for a sit down for 20 minutes.
10. Zoo de La Palmyre
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 5,426 reviews
Au cœur de la Côte de Beauté et des plages de Charente-Maritime, à quelques dunes de la ville de Royan, se trouve l’un des parcs zoologiques les plus renommés de France : le Zoo de La Palmyre. Au fil des allées ombragées qui serpentent à travers 18 hectares de pinède, découvrez 1600 animaux de 110 espèces différentes dans un environnement adapté à la biologie de chacune d’entre elles. Chaque année, le parc enregistre 200 à 250 naissances. Il joue un rôle important dans la sauvegarde des espèces menacées de disparition, en participant à plus d'une cinquantaine de Programmes d’Elevage Européens et en finançant la conservation d’espèces sauvages dans leur milieu naturel : orangs-outans et éléphants à Bornéo, lémuriens à Madagascar, manchots du Cap en Afrique du Sud, lycaons au Zimbabwe, gorilles et chimpanzés en RD du Congo, tamarins lions au Brésil... Fondé en 1966 par Claude et Irène Caillé, le Zoo de La Palmyre est l'un des lieux les plus emblématiques de Charente-Maritime.
Reviewed By 767joannas - Bucklebury, United Kingdom
We had a fabulous day at this zoo. We thought the one way system and directions around the zoo was a great idea - it means you don’t miss anything and makes it easier on busy days when you don’t have to get past people going in the opposite direction. Great facilities - plenty of toilets and food outlets throughout the park. Food was fine - not amazing but good enough for lunch. The zoo is very clean and well laid out, the animals seem to be very well cared for. If you are going with little ones I would suggest taking a pushchair - the zoo is big with a lot of animals, and from beginning to end is quite a long way. Definitely a full day required here, there is a lot to see!
