Bioparc de Doué-la-Fontaine
An ecological zoo built into an old limestone quarry, with giraffes, condors, and red pandas housed among cliffs and caves.
Bioparc Doué-la-Fontaine occupies a former falun stone quarry. Visitors walk between cliff faces, underground passages, and ravines to see giraffes, rhinoceroses, snow leopards, red pandas, and Andean condors in a large aviary. The park is known for its conservation projects and is one of France's most highly rated zoos. Admission is about €30. It is open February to November, and it is worth setting aside half a day. The park is about 20 km from Saumur and requires a car, making it well suited to family outings.
Opening hours
About 09:30–18:00 (seasonal; closed mid-November to February)
Nearby sights
- Les Perrières
- Troglodytes et Sarcophages
- Troglodyte Village of Rochemenier
- Caverne Sculptée de Dénezé-sous-Doué
- Collegiate Church of Le Puy-Notre-Dame
- Château de Montreuil-Bellay
- Notre-Dame de Cunault
- Cadre Noir de Saumur