1. Zoo de La Palmyre
Distance: 155 km – Driving time: ± 1 hour and 45 minutes
Location: Les Mathes (Charente-Maritime)
Website: www.zoo-palmyre.fr
The Zoo de La Palmyre is one of the largest and most popular zoos in France. This special place is located in the middle of a vast pine forest on the Atlantic coast and is home to more than 1,600 animals of different species, from all corners of the world. Here you will find an impressive variety of animals, from majestic lions and elegant giraffes to colourful flamingos and playful orangutans. The park is spacious and offers many shaded areas, perfect for the hot summer days. There are several restaurants, cozy picnic areas and nice playgrounds for children.
Complete your visit to the zoo with an afternoon at the beach or a walk through the historic La Rochelle. During the summer months, you can also enjoy French public holidays, as Quatorze Juillet, the national holiday, and other local festivities that bring the region to life.
2. Zoodyssée
Distance: 90 km – Driving time: ± 1 hour and 10 minutes
Location: Villiers-en-Bois (Deux-Sèvres)
Website: www.zoodyssee.fr
Zoodyssée focuses on various European animal species, such as wolves, lynxes, bison and deer. The park is beautifully situated in a wooded area, where you can enjoy hiking trails and beautiful observation points. With a strong focus on education and nature conservation, Zoodyssée offers families with children numerous activities. Think educational trails, playgrounds and lovely picnic spots.
Combine a visit to Zoodyssée with a boat trip in the Marais Poitevin or a visit to Niort. This city has a charming medieval center and cozy cafes where you can relax. For those who want to learn more about European nature, the WWF France website is an excellent source of interesting information.
3. Bioparc de Doué-la-Fontaine
Distance: 140 km – Driving time: ± 1 hour and 45 minutes
Location: Doué-en-Anjou (Maine-et-Loire)
Website: www.bioparc-zoo.fr
Bioparc is a unique zoo located in old stone caves. Here you can wander through tunnels, open valleys and between rock formations where animals roam freely. More than 1,000 different animals, such as lions, rhinos and giraffes, find their home here in lifelike habitats. What makes the Bioparc really special is its focus on sustainability: water is reused, energy comes from solar panels and the park supports global conservation projects.
Combine a visit to the Bioparc with a trip to Poitiers or the futuristic Futuroscope theme park. This makes for a perfect blend of nature, technology, and culture on your day out.
4. Aquarium La Rochelle
Distance: 160 km – Driving time: ± 1 hour and 50 minutes
Location: La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime)
Website: www.aquarium-larochelle.com
The Aquarium of La Rochelle is one of the largest aquariums in Europe and is home to more than 12,000 different marine animals. The underwater tunnels offer a magnificent view of tropical fish, sharks and even sea turtles. The aquarium is completely indoors, making it an ideal destination even on days when the weather is not so good.
After your visit, you can take a stroll through the old port of La Rochelle or relax in the nearby O’Gliss Park.
If you would like to extend your holiday and discover more of France, also take a look at holidays in Provence.
5. La Vallée des Singes
Distance: 85 km – Driving time: ± 1 hour and 20 minutes
Location: Romagne (Vienne)
Website: www.la-vallee-des-singes.fr
The Vallée des Singes is a unique park where there are no bars or cages to be seen. Here, monkeys live freely in their natural environment, and visitors have the opportunity to observe them up close. The park is home to more than 450 monkeys of no fewer than 34 different species, including impressive gorillas, playful lemurs and intelligent chimpanzees. Every day there are feeding times and entertaining presentations given by the enthusiastic keepers.
For children, there are fun playgrounds and the opportunity to interact with the animals, while you can relax in the green landscape. After your visit, there is plenty of opportunity to explore the area: cycle through the beautiful Poitou-Charentes, take a walk past picturesque villages or discover one of the lively markets in this region.
6. Planet Exotica
Distance: 150 km – Driving time: ± 1 hour and 50 minutes
Location: Royan (Charente-Maritime)
Website: www.planet-exotica.com
Planet Exotica is a lively tropical park full of reptiles, amphibians and colourful exotic plants. Here you can encounter all kinds of fascinating animals, such as crocodiles, iguanas, snakes and tropical birds fluttering through the air. A special attraction is the outdoor area, where life-size dinosaurs are on display. This makes the park extra fun for children, who can let their imaginations run wild and play to their hearts' content. There are also cosy cafés and playgrounds, and the park regularly organises educational shows that are both informative and entertaining.
A trip to Royan can be perfectly combined with a visit to the famous Cognac or a relaxing day on the beaches of the Atlantic coast. Don't forget to explore one of the charming villages in the region, where you can relax and unwind.
