Espace zoologique de La Boissière-du-Doré

Espace zoologique de La Boissière-du-Doré is a zoological park in the village of La Boissière-du-Doré, in the Loire-Atlantique department, roughly 30 minutes by car from both Nantes and Cholet. Spread across nearly 28 hectares, it is home to more than a thousand animals from over 120 species, making it one of the larger wildlife attractions in the Pays de la Loire region.

What animals can visitors see?

The park is organized into themed areas that echo the natural habitats of its residents. Visitors can walk through an African plains section with giraffes, zebras and rhinoceros, and get close to big cats such as lions and tigers. The primate area is home to orangutans, an endangered species whose presence in the park ties into wider conservation breeding efforts. Birdlife is also a major draw: a daily free-flight show features more than 200 birds of different species demonstrating their natural flying behaviors in front of visitors.

What else is there to do besides watching the animals?

A highlight of the daily schedule is the commented feeding tour, which typically starts around 2:30pm. Educational guides walk visitors through the animals' diets, natural behaviors and the threats some species face in the wild, with the route and species featured changing daily so the animals don't fall into a routine. The park also runs a "Drôles d'animaux" encounter session, where visitors can get close to giant tortoises during feeding and bathing, approach playful coatis, and discover binturongs — sometimes nicknamed "bearcats" — inside their enclosure. For a longer stay, the zoo offers overnight accommodation in its Africa Lodges, cabins built in an African style that in several cases overlook the plains enclosure, giving guests views of giraffes, rhinos, zebras, wildebeest, ostriches and kudus right from their room.

How much time should a visit take, and when is the best time to go?

A full visit is recommended to take between 3 and 4 hours, so it's worth planning to arrive with most of a morning or afternoon free. The park operates seasonally, generally from mid-February to mid-November, with opening hours that change through the year — gates open earlier and close later during the July-August peak season than in spring or autumn. Last admissions are usually two hours before closing, so it pays to check the current schedule before setting off.

How do you get there and where can you buy tickets?

The zoo sits in an accessible spot for both Nantes and Cholet, each about a 30-minute drive away, which makes it a straightforward day trip from either city. Tickets can be bought on-site at the entrance or in advance online, where prices are usually slightly lower than at the gate. On-site catering and visitor facilities make it easy to spend a full day at the park without having to leave the grounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many animals live at the Espace zoologique de La Boissière-du-Doré? The park is home to more than a thousand animals across over 120 species, including giraffes, zebras, rhinoceros, lions, tigers, orangutans, and the birds featured in the daily free-flight show.

How long should visitors plan to spend at the zoo? A visit typically takes 3 to 4 hours, given the size of the park (nearly 28 hectares) and the number of themed sections to explore.

Can you stay overnight at the zoo? Yes, the park offers overnight stays in its Africa Lodges, cabins on the grounds, some of which look directly out onto the African plains enclosure with giraffes, rhinos and zebras.

When is the zoo open? The park operates seasonally, generally from mid-February to mid-November, with opening hours varying by month — it stays open later during the summer than in spring or autumn.