Seeing a giraffe just a few kilometers from central Paris, strolling past a shark-filled tank, or spotting species that are hard to glimpse in the wild: the zoos and aquariums of Paris and Île-de-France are among the outings that shine both during the school holidays and over a weekend. The region is home to a diverse range of venues, from large zoological parks to aquariums tucked right in the city.
In the capital, the Paris Zoological Park, in the Bois de Vincennes, remains one of the top spots for observing animals. Its route is organized around several geographic zones and lets visitors discover a wide range of species in spaces that reproduce key features of their natural habitats.
Other animal parks are within reach beyond Paris. Île-de-France now offers several sites perfect for a family day, with routes that mix animal viewing, a stroll, and educational activities.
To change things up, head to the Île-de-France aquariums. Tropical fish, jellyfish, sharks, or freshwater species let you explore a wide range of ecosystems without leaving the Paris region.
These facilities also devote significant attention to biodiversity awareness, animal protection, and the threats facing natural habitats. Interactive programs, guided feedings, workshops, or encounters with caretakers may accompany the visit, depending on the location and the season.
One of the benefits of zoos and aquariums is that they can be visited in every season. Zoos let you take full advantage of the outdoors on fine days, while aquariums offer a practical option when the Paris weather isn’t so cooperative.
Between Paris and the Île-de-France départements—the Yvelines, Seine-et-Marne, and Val-de-Marne—there are plenty of options for a family wildlife outing. The hard part is choosing between lions, fish, monkeys, or sharks.
Noah's World: An immersive experience of the animal world
Sponsored - Experience an extraordinary adventure in the heart of Paris: an immersive journey into the animal kingdom! [Read more]
A budget-friendly animal park, featuring donkeys, ducks, goats and pigs... in Roissy-en-Brie (77)
Near Roissy-en-Brie, in Seine-et-Marne, a small animal park welcomes you and your children from Tuesday to Sunday, 2pm to 6pm, for an afternoon of immersion on the farm. [Read more]
A journey to discover wildlife from around the world, at Bois d'Attilly Zoo (77)
In the Seine-et-Marne department, in Férolles-Attilly, a vast wildlife reserve welcomes visitors on sunny days to discover fauna from all corners of the world. Tigers, giraffes, savannah creatures, and other wild species roam within a protected space. [Read more]
Espace Rambouillet: hectares of forest to observe deer, fallow deer, wild boars, wolves, and birds of prey
For a day deep in the forest and in close contact with wildlife, head to Espace Rambouillet in the Yvelines, where you can observe deer, fallow deer, wild boar, wolves, and birds of prey, roaming freely. Reopening on April 4, 2026 for the new season. [Read more]
Zoo Safari de Thoiry: what's new?
The Thoiry ZooSafari continues to innovate, and it's not over yet, with major projects in the pipeline for the next few years. Between the new lodges, the light trail, the green vehicle safaris, the new arrivals and the births, the Thoiry Zoo has some great discoveries in store for us. [Read more]
Parrot World: Île-de-France’s immersive wildlife park unveils exciting updates for 2026
Parrot World, an animal park dedicated to South American wildlife, located in Crécy-la-Chapelle, Seine-et-Marne, will open its doors on February 7, 2026. If you haven't yet visited this zoological park, you'll soon have the chance to see jaguars, penguins, and vibrant parrots flying freely in one of Europe's largest aviaries. The park also offers lodge accommodations, allowing visitors to stay close to the animals. A captivating and ethical destination, it's a spot that delights both children and adults alike. [Read more]
Carnet rose: two baby red pandas are born at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris
It's certainly the cutest news of the moment: two little red pandas have been born at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. [Read more]
Lumigny Safari Reserve (77) opens a "Far North" area with polar bears
Lumigny Safari Reserve has been welcoming new residents since spring 2025: welcome to the Grand Nord area, designed to house and protect certain species of Arctic fauna. [Read more]
Become an apprentice groomer at the Parc Zoologique de Paris for a day!
If you're a fan of animals from all over the world, zoos and menageries, here's an activity you'll remember for a long time: the Parc Zoologique de Paris gives you the chance to spend half a day in the shoes of an animal keeper, for an unforgettable experience close to the animals. [Read more]
Aquarium Tropical de la Porte Dorée, Paris's historic aquarium
Created in 1931 for the Colonial Exhibition, the Aquarium is located in the 12th arrondissement, in the Palais de la Porte Dorée. It is home to over 750 species of small fish and, best of all, admission is free for under-26s! [Read more]
Falconer for a day: an unforgettable experience up close to the birds at Espace Rambouillet
If you're a bird lover, Espace Rambouillet offers you the chance to spend an exceptional morning in the shoes of a falconer, making friends with an owl or eagle in an unforgettable experience. [Read more]
Unusual: breakfast with the giraffes at the Paris Zoological Park
Ever since we were little, we've been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This time, it's likely to be one of the most important meals of your life, as you'll have the opportunity to have it with the giraffes of the Parc zoologique de Paris! [Read more]
Edentera, the exotic educational farm at Isles-les-Meldeuses (77)
Walking around Paris and the Île-de-France region with children, the educational farms so [Read more]
Parc zoologique de Paris, the capital's zoo, in the 12th arrondissement
The Parc Zoologique de Paris, also known as the Zoo de Vincennes, is the most emblematic zoo in Paris, with its immense 65-metre-high rock, which can be seen from certain Parisian viewpoints. The zoo is home to many different species of animal, and is the perfect place to take the kids on an outing! [Read more]
Janvry, a picturesque village with a free wildlife park and events in the Chevreuse Valley
Nestled in the heart of the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse in the Regional Nature Park, Janvry in Essonne is an undiscovered nugget. With its farmland and heritage, including the Louis XIII-style château and the church of Notre Dame du Mont Carmel, this village of 600 inhabitants knows how to surprise its visitors. In fact, to everyone's surprise, it offers a free animal park and great events all year round. [Read more]
A mini golf course amid the animals at Thoiry Zoo (78)
Fancy a game of mini-golf at the zoo? Then head to the Thoiry Zoo Safari, better known simply as the "Thoiry Zoo", in the Yvelines region of France, to discover this unique concept with the whole family, from July 8, 2023. [Read more]
Jardin d'Acclimatation, the amusement park in the heart of Paris
Once again, the Jardin d'Acclimatation welcomes us for some fun and relaxation. This amusement park for small children offers 40 attractions for children from 1 year of age, an educational farm and restaurants on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne at the gateway to Paris. [Read more]
La Serre aux Papillons in La Queue-lez-Yvelines, a tropical jungle near Paris
Forty kilometers from Paris, in the Yvelines, nestles an atypical and exciting place for the whole family, a butterfly greenhouse! Located in La Queue-lez-Yvelines, it was the very first tropical greenhouse in France to welcome these colorful and exotic insects, particularly graceful. [Read more]
The House of Fishing and Nature, explore the underwater life of Levallois (92)
Can you fish in the Paris Region? What fish live in our ponds, rivers and streams? How do you learn to fish? The Maison de la Pêche et de la Nature answers all these questions in its museum and aquarium, or by introducing you to fishing with a fishing course. The perfect family outing for young and old alike! [Read more]
The Spot, an immersive Madagascar-like experience at the Porte dorée Tropical Aquarium
Fancy an immersive family visit? Join us at the Aquarium du Palais de la Porte dorée for a behind-the-scenes look at a scientific expedition to Madagascar, in an immersive installation. [Read more]
Dive into the heart of our oceans at the Sea Life aquarium in the Val d'Europe shopping center.
In Val d'Europe, the Sea Life aquarium will reopen its doors on May 19, 2021, plunging visitors into the heart of the marine world while raising awareness of the need to preserve biodiversity. [Read more]
Cinéaqua, the Paris Aquarium in the Trocadéro Gardens
The Aquarium de Paris Cinéaqua awaits you at the foot of the Trocadéro, in its pretty gardens. This historic aquarium houses 13,000 fish and 35 sharks in over 50 tanks. All year round, the aquarium offers activities for children, as well as scientific events not to be missed. [Read more]
Farmers' Mornings: Discovering the Farm and Caring for Animals, Sundays at La Villette
On many Sunday mornings, the Ferme de la Villette opens its doors to both kids and grown-ups for Farm Mornings, a morning to discover the most Parisian of farms and its animals. [Read more]
La Ferme des Possibles, the urban, community-run organic farm in Stains (93)
In Stains, in Seine-Saint-Denis (93), La Ferme des Possibles runs an organic, community-supported urban farm. Year-round, visitors can explore tours, agroecology workshops, market gardening, herbalism, cooking and wellbeing there. [Read more]
La Ferme du Bonheur, a bohemian and festive farm at the foot of La Défense.
At once an urban farm, an alternative arts venue and an ecological oasis at the foot of La Défense’s towers, La Ferme du Bonheur in Nanterre is a living laboratory where nature, performances, farming and collective experiments mingle. A timeless place where people come as much to attend a concert as to garden, meet animals or participate in the famous agro-poetry workshops. [Read more]
La ferme du Bel Air, for a family outing in the countryside near Villiers-le-Bacle (91)
At Villiers-le-Bâcle, in the Essonne département, the Bel Air farm invites you to meet its furry and feathered residents for a family outing in the fresh air. [Read more]
Discover Les Bergeries d'Issy, the educational farm in Issy-les-Moulineaux (92)
Just south-west of Paris, in the inner suburbs, the town of Issy-les-Moulineaux boasts a lovely educational farm where the whole family can come and discover the animals, take part in a parent-child workshop or celebrate a birthday... It's a great way to take the kids out to the countryside! [Read more]
La ferme pédagogique de Maisons-Alfort (94), a family-friendly farm where you can see animals
In Maisons-Alfort, in the Val-de-Marne département of France, some amusing boarders welcome you and your family all year round, on Wednesdays and weekends: so head to the town's educational farm for a little country escapade to discover its animals! [Read more]
La Ferme de Gally de Saint-Cyr l'Ecole (78), for a family outing in the countryside
The Ferme pédagogique de Gally is one of the most beautiful educational farms in the Yvelines: with its 4 hectares, it offers children and their parents a privileged encounter with sheep, dwarf goats, rabbits, donkeys, horses... [Read more]
The educational farm at Mantes-la-Jolie (78), a free, rural outing in the Yvelines region
In Mantes-la-Jolie, in the Yvelines département, there's an educational farm hidden away on Ile l'Aumône. Free and open to all, it's a great opportunity to take a stroll and discover the animals! [Read more]
La Ferme Caillard: festive venue, vegetable garden and educational farm in Bondy (93)
In Bondy, in Seine-Saint-Denis, Caillard Farm welcomes you year-round to its semi-urban setting, between the city and nature. [Read more]
La Ferme de Grignon (78), a free cow and sheep farm visit
In the heart of the Versailles plain, the town of Grignon boasts a huge farm with over 200 dairy cows, 600 ewes, 400 hectares of crops and a dairy. The good news is that the site is open to the public: put on your good shoes and let's go and discover this farm in the Yvelines! [Read more]
Weekend at Beauval: we tested Les Pagodes and the 2026 updates as a family with two teens
Weekend at Beauval with the family: our review of the Pagodes and the 2026 updates with two teenagers, between an immersive hotel, new territories and the park’s key moments. [Read more]
Beauval Zoo, tips and tricks for visiting the park
Beauval Zoo, ranked 4th most beautiful zoo in the world, is home to no less than 35,000 animals, including giant pandas (the only ones in France). To make the most of your visit over 1 or 2 days, we've put together some tips to help you avoid wasting time and getting tired. [Read more]
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