Parc zoologique de Montpellier

Parc zoologique de Montpellier (Lunaret Zoo) ranks among the largest zoological parks in France, spread across 80 hectares on the northern edge of Montpellier. Home to more than a thousand animals, it's built for a full day out rather than a quick stop between other sights.

How do you get there?

The zoo sits at 50 avenue Agropolis, in the Agropolis district north of Montpellier's city centre. The area is well connected to the rest of the city, so arriving by public transport or by car both work well, and parking is available nearby. Given the size of the grounds, it's worth setting aside a proper block of time rather than squeezing the visit between other errands.

What will you see inside?

The park's defining feature is its sheer scale — 11 kilometres of marked trails wind through enclosures housing animals from across the globe. Residents include brown bears, cheetahs, lions, giraffes, rhinoceroses, wolves, peacocks, otters, oryxes, rheas, ostriches, lemurs, caracals, cranes, and African wild dogs. The generous enclosures let animals display more natural behaviour, and the sprawling layout makes a visit feel closer to walking through a nature reserve than touring a conventional city zoo.

Groups looking for deeper insight into the animals can book a guided tour, though reservations must be made by phone in advance.

When should you visit?

Admission is free, which makes the zoo hugely popular with both locals and visitors — and that means real crowds at certain times. Wednesdays and weekends draw the biggest numbers, particularly between 11am–12pm and 3pm–6pm. Anyone after a quieter experience should aim for a weekday visit outside those peak windows.

An important note for anyone planning a trip: the park will close to visitors for renovation works starting 1 August 2026, with reopening not expected until 2028. If you want to see the zoo in its current form, plan your visit before that date.

Who is this park for?

Given its size and the diversity of species on show, Lunaret Zoo works equally well as a family day out with children and as a destination for wildlife enthusiasts looking for something beyond a standard urban zoo. Free admission means it's easy to return more than once during a longer stay in Montpellier, discovering a different corner of the grounds each time.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the zoo free? Yes, admission to Parc zoologique de Lunaret is completely free of charge.

How much time should you set aside? Given the 80-hectare grounds and 11 kilometres of trails, a full visit takes several hours — plan for a whole morning or afternoon.

What animals can you see at the park? Residents include lions, giraffes, rhinoceroses, brown bears, cheetahs, wolves, lemurs, caracals, and African wild dogs, alongside numerous birds such as cranes, peacocks, and ostriches.

Will the zoo still be open in the coming years? No — the park closes to visitors on 1 August 2026 for renovation works and isn't expected to reopen until 2028, so plan a visit before that date.