FAQ

The Zoo de La Palmyre is open all year round, including bank holidays.
9:00am-7:00pm from April 1 to September 30
9:00am-6:00pm from October 1 to March 31.

The zoo has two large free car parks: the parking P1 (1000 parking spaces) and the parking P2 (450 parking spaces).
Buses and motorhomes have to park on the parking P2 which has spaces for larger vehicles.

There are two food outlets inside the zoo: the bar (hot dogs, sandwiches and crêpes) located at the top of the sea lion bleachers and the crêperie (galettes, salads, desserts…) located close to the Giant otter enclosure.
Cold drink machines and stands of ice-creams are also available in the park.

Picnicking is allowed on the benches located along the pathway and on the sea lion and bird bleachers out of presentation times. You can also enjoy a picnic outside the zoo: don’t forget to get a hand stamp as you leave the park so that we will let you back in to carry on with your visit.
Be aware that picnicking is not allowed on the tables of the food outlets.

A microwave oven is available at the bar to warm up baby feeding bottles or food jars.
A baby changing area is at your disposal next to the lion enclosure, just behind the sea lion bleachers.

The zoo gift shop welcomes you nearby the Asian Small-clawed otter enclosure, close to the zoo entrance.
Opening hours:
July/August: 9:00am-7:00pm.
April/May/June/September/October: 10:00am-6:00pm.

All drones, regardless of their weight, are prohibited in the zoo. Some animals are indeed very sensitive to the noise that is generated and can be stressed.

Furthermore, although the Zoo de La Palmyre is a private park, from a regulatory perspective it is considered a "public space in a populated area" which limits flights to the specific category or the S3 national scenario (subject to prefectural bylaws, with authorization and under the supervision of the zoo)

For safety reasons, dogs are not allowed in the park.
The shelter “Les amis des bêtes » in Médis takes in dogs for the day (Tel: 05 46 05 47 45).
Do not leave your dog in your car: cars heat up quickly, and this may be fatal for your dog.

Tickets can be bought at the entrance of the park.
Please note that it is not possible to buy tickets on the zoo website.

La Palmyre Zoo annual passes can be purchased at the entrance.
Prices:
Adult = €57
Child from 3 to 12 = €45

A zoo pass is valid for one year from date of processing. Make sure to bring an ID photo.

The Zoo de La Palmyre is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Be aware that the zoo covers 18ha and is located on hilly terrain with some important drops. Visitors in non-motorized wheel-chairs will need the assistance of an accompanying carer.

For disabled visitors with justification (disability card or Mobility Inclusion Card/CMI) a price reduction is granted.
Adult = €16
Child aged 3-12 = €12

The Zoo de La Palmyre hosts more than 1600 animals of 110 different species.
Click here to discover our animal list.

Many of our animals were born at the zoo: we record between 200 and 250 births each year!
Others come from French and foreign zoological parks.

We have two buildings where animals are sometimes raised.

The first building exclusively houses small mammals and only when their mother in unable to raise them or if their life is threatened for health reasons. In that case, they are raised by keepers but go back to their family group as soon as they can. Thanks to the progress of zoos in animal care and welfare, nursery breeding is becoming rarer. We promote natural breeding within the family groups so that the youngsters can learn all the codes and behaviors of their species.

The second building is used for breeding some bird species. We regularly collect eggs and put them in incubators. Then the keepers raise the chicks by hand until they're able to feed by themselves. In the end, the birds are reintroduced in their colony. Some ibises and parrots join the bird presentations where they start to be trained by the keepers.

The mild climate of the Charente-Maritime allows most of our animals to go out all year round. The primates, which are more sensitive to cold temperatures, usually stay in their indoor enclosures during winter.

Animals that do not go out can be seen indoors with the exception of the elephants: their building isn’t accessible to the public and in case of extreme cold weather, they may not be visible.

For health and safety reasons, any personal food items for the animals are prohibited.
You can give corn to the giraffes, zebras, ostriches and antilopes. Corn is being sold at the entrance and in the zoo shop.
But it is strictly prohibited to feed the primates with corn for health reasons and to avoid conflicts between the animals.
You can also feed the goats with the hay pellets sold on the booth located close to their enclosure.

The Zoo de La Palmyre is a private zoological park. Visitor ticket sales are our only source of funding.

Our research activities benefit from the Research Tax Credit.

You can send your application (CV and cover letter) to:
Zoo de La Palmyre
6 Avenue de Royan
17570 Les Mathes
Or by email: admin@zoo-palmyre.com