Bioparc de Doué-la-Fontaine
An ideal destination for a day out with children and grandchildren, the Bioparc promises marvellous experiences in a superb, unexpected setting. "
An encounter with 1,000 animals at the Bioparc de Doué
An ideal destination for a day out with children and grandchildren, the Bioparc promises marvellous experiences in a superb, unexpected setting. You are surrounded by diverse natural environments where the animals blend into a decor close to their natural habitat : tunnel, waterfalls and quarries with lush vegetation. A journey to meet more than 1,000 animals.
Bioparc, at the heart of the Val de Loire near Saumur, is unique in the world due to its troglodyte location. Along with Beauval, it is considered as one of the finest zoos in Europe. Installed in old quarries where falun stone was extracted, the underground parts of the zoo and the general coolness of the site are most welcome during summer. Falun is a sedimentary rock typical of the region, deposited by the sea 10 million years ago and is easy to work with to create settings suitable for the different animals. As soon as you start your visit, you will be plunged into the zoo’s atmosphere with an amazing view of the « Camp des Girafes ».
Bioparc and the largest aviary in Europe
Go right to the heart of the largest aviary in Europe where an impressive number of birds live together and enjoy direct contact with the eight species of parrot. A fresh water zone and a lake with enormous waterfalls is home to Humboldt penguins, pelicans, ibis and flamingos. A feast for the eyes…and the ears too !
Throughout your visit you can meet the animals and talk to their keepers to learn more about their way of life. A special time is the Giraffes’ Teatime - a magical moment for everyone that really shouldn’t be missed.
Be brave and walk along the tunnel leading to the amphitheatre hollowed out of the rock, where you can watch the spectacular sight of hooded vultures being fed !
Other attractions are : Rhinoceros Valley – European Aviary – Leopard Canyon – Okapi Sanctuary - Reptiles, and lots more…
Bioparc is a zoo with a difference
Bioparc is not like other zoos. For many years it has adopted an eco-friendly philosophy, resolutely based around conservation and supporting wildlife protection programmes around the world. By buying an entry ticket, each visitor participates in the funding of 25 conservation projects in different parts of the globe, in collaboration with local associations on the spot. It is out of the question that this park would offer « shows » where animals have been trained to perform tricks for visitors : observing animal behaviour is a show in itself.
The park offers special visits for a unique and memorable experience :
- Be a keeper for half a day and perform different tasks : preparing food, feeding animals, maintaining enclosures and cleaning buildings, letting out and bringing in animals…
- You can also go behind the scenes at Bioparc for some special encounters : feed the birds and apes, watch the big cats being brought in and get really close to the large herbivores.
Bioparc is in Doué-la-Fontaine, a town not only famous for its zoo, but also for its amphitheatre and its annual Journées de la Rose Festival. 17km from Saumur and 41km from Angers, the zoo has large free, shady car parks. You can also come by bike as 2 Loire à Vélo cycling routes run very near Doué-la-Fontaine.
Discover Maine-et-Loire with Gîtes de France Anjou : Terra Botanica Angers, Louresse-Rochemenier troglodyte village, Angers, Saumur, La Mine Bleue"
Our selection of accommodations
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Le Gîte du Dolmen
in Dénezé-sous-Doué - Maine-et-Loire
Our new accommodations
Insolite
La Roulotte de la Bodinerie
in Lys-Haut-Layon - Maine-et-Loire
Lodging
L'Ancienne Boulangerie
in Terranjou - Maine-et-Loire
Citybreak
Le Bois Flotté
in Saumur - Maine-et-Loire