The best zoos in France

People have always wanted to show wild and exotic animals. In ancient times animals were already put on show in fights. Zoos as we know them today appeared in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Zoological gardens grew from the early 19th century, with a scientific and educational approach. One of the oldest zoos in France is in Mulhouse. It was created in 1868. In more than a century it has grown, and it has known setbacks and successes, like French zoos in general. In the 1950s the shape of zoos changed. Safari parks opened, such as the Thoiry zoological park (1968).

Some sites welcome more than a million people a year, such as the Lille zoological park. From La Fleche zoo to the Calviac wildlife reserve, step into the best zoos in France.

Map of zoos

You can use the icons on the map to get more information about zoos.

Parc Zoologique de Lille

Parc Zoologique de Mulhouse

Parc zoologique de Thoiry

Réserve zoologique de Calviac

Zoo de Bordeaux Pessac

Zoo du Bassin d'Arcachon

Zoo de la Flèche

Zoo de la Palmyre

Safari de Peaugres

Zoa, Parc animalier et exotique