At ZooSafari de Thoiry, there's no training! In this little paradise in the Yvelines region of France, the animals remain wild, evolving in semi-liberty on hectares of land. Since its creation, this park has been a pioneer in its field, putting animals first. The key words are animal welfare, conservation of endangered species, and even the release of animals back into the wild whenever possible. It's this world of respect and beauty that you'll be visiting, partly by car, partly on foot. Find out how to organize your day at Thoiry ZooSafari with our tips and tricks!
What is ZooSafari de Thoiry?
Thoiry ZooSafari is home to 180 species, including 60 endangered species. Spread over a 150-hectare estate, they evolve in semi-liberty, giving you the opportunity to experience an exhilarating little safari. Created by Paul de la Panouse in 1968, the park aims to raise public awareness of animal and environmental protection through a reconnection with nature. It works with various European breeding programs, with the aim of conserving endangered species. Here, animal welfare is a central concern. While most zoos today put animals before people, Thoiry ZooSafari was a forerunner in its field when it opened.
Your escapade will take you by car and on foot to discover the animals, but not only! Along the way, you'll pass through glass tunnels from which you can observe the animals, as well as footbridges. And if you're looking for something a little more unusual, there's a zip-line that takes you right over the lions: thrills guaranteed!
What are the must-sees and must-dos at Thoiry ZooSafari?
As mentioned above, the park comprises both a safari and a zoo section, not forgetting the château that once belonged to the de la Panouse family. The safari extends over 8 km of track, allowing you to admire the wild animals without feeding them or opening your windows. Zebras, rhinos, ostriches, elephants, hippos and lions, to name but a few, punctuate your immersion in this wilderness.
Several animal families await you throughout the park:
- mammals
- fish and amphibians,
- lizards and snakes,
- invertebrates,
- and birds.
While some well-known species can be encountered, such as the macaque, other uncommon species can be discovered, such as the Maki Catta or the red panda.
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What are the experiences and adventures to be had at ZooSafari de Thoiry?
As well as the safari itself, there are plenty of great experiences to be had on site. Children aged between 6 and 11, for example, can celebrate their birthday at ZooSafari de Thoiry. On the program: a treasure hunt and riddles!
For their part, Instants Privilèges allow you to get up close and personal with the caretakers and animals for a few hours, for a total immersion in the animal environment. Children and parents can also become budding animal caretakers for a few hours, feeding, cleaning and entertaining certain species.
To take things even further, the Safari Academy offers five-day courses. Children aged 7 to 12 can get up close to the animals and learn how to look after them. Vocations could well be born! Finally, dinners and overnight stays in the heart of the park are also available for the more adventurous.
What are the fees and opening hours?
Planning your day at Thoiry ZooSafari starts with time management. If you can, arrive as soon as the zoo opens at 10am. This will give you time to enjoy the safari and the zoo without stress. Depending on the season, the ticket offices close at 4 or 5 pm.
The classic admission ticket, purchased online here, is valid for 1 year on any day. It costs €30 per adult and €24 per child. However, if you opt for a dated ticket, valid on D-day or D+1, prices drop to 28€ per adult and 23€ per child. This compares favorably with the price paid directly on site (32€ per adult and 25€ per child). You can also hire a bush truck for an additional €10 per person.
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Practical information for organizing your day at Thoiry ZooSafari
The park is accessible by car, bush truck or camper van. Here are our tips for planning your day at Thoiry ZooSafari.
How do I get to Thoiry Zoo?
To get to Thoiry Zoo from Paris, take the A13 freeway towards Rouen. Follow the A12, then the N12 towards Dreux. Just follow the signs for Thoiry!
It's the ideal place to spend a weekend, less than 2 hours from Paris, in one of the animal park's unusual accommodations.
How long does it take to visit Thoiry ZooSafari?
Allow the whole day for a leisurely tour of Thoiry ZooSafari. A visit by car takes about an hour. Allow 2 to 3 hours to visit the zoo on foot. From Normandy, take the A13 motorway, exit at Mantes Est, then follow the N183 and D11.
When is the best time to visit Thoiry Zoo?
Although Thoiry ZooSafari is open all year round (apart from occasional winter closures), it's best to visit between May and September. Temperatures are much milder, offering better conditions for visiting the zoo. What's more, if you arrive early in the morning, you'll see the animals in top form, before the summer heat of the afternoon, prompting some species to take a well-deserved siesta. If you can, don't hesitate to visit Thoiry Zoo on weekdays, to avoid the crowds.
Where to eat at Thoiry ZooSafari?
A total of six food outlets are available in the park. Please note, however, that some may be closed out of season!
- Delicio'zoo: tacos, paninis, drinks and other sweet treats.
- Bistro Brousse: sandwiches, poke bowls, burgers and vegetarian dishes.
- Masoala : a good pretzel sausage, while keeping an eye on the children playing in the adjoining playground.
- Delicio'Truck: a delicious hot dog and fries.
- Snack Air Park: a delicious pizza that makes you roar with pleasure!
- Safari Mini Golf: ice creams, sweet treats and drinks for snacking.
Fast food is the order of the day, but it's varied enough to satisfy every palate.
Where to stay at Thoiry ZooSafari?
Planning your day at Thoiry ZooSafari also means thinking about accommodation. And that's just as well, because the park offers three unusual accommodations on site! One of them, a den, lets you sleep up close to baribal bears, coyotes and other bison, equipped with your night-vision binoculars. Another offers you the chance to sleep in Arctic wolf territory, safe in your loudge. Last but not least, spend a night in African lands, close to elephants.
Thoiry ZooSafari is one of France's top 10 must-see wildlife parks, but there are still plenty more to come. Discover our tips for visiting the Boissière du Doré zoo, as well as our tricks for visiting the La Flèche zoo in the best conditions. If you don't come to the area very often, we invite you to take a few days to visit Paris in 3 days, as well as the surrounding area. Who knows, maybe you'll even have enough time to enjoy yourself at Disneyland Paris or Parc Astérix?
