The Paris Zoological Park, also known as the Vincennes Zoo, is a modernized zoological institution in Paris, France. Located within the Bois de Vincennes, it is a captivating destination for wildlife enthusiasts and families. The park houses over 3,000 animals from 255 species across 14.5 hectares (36 acres).
History and Unique Design
The Paris Zoological Park opened in 1934, quickly becoming popular for its exotic animals, including elephants, giraffes, and rhinoceroses. By the early 1980s, the facilities needed renovation. A multi-year, €170 million renovation transformed it into a contemporary “biopark,” reopening in April 2014. This design places animals in environments resembling their natural habitats.
Guided by the National Museum of Natural History, this modern design emphasizes animal welfare and visitor immersion. Traditional bars and cages were replaced with ditches and naturalistic settings, creating an illusion of freedom for the animals. The iconic 65-meter-high artificial Great Rock, a landmark, was preserved and integrated into the renovated landscape. This approach allows visitors to observe animals in a more natural setting, fostering a deeper connection to biodiversity and conservation.
Exploring the Biomes and Animal Residents
The park is divided into five distinct “biozones,” each replicating a specific global ecosystem and housing animals native to those regions. Landscaping and architectural arrangements within each biozone create immersive environments for visitors.
The Patagonia biozone features pampas, rocky coasts, and Andean forest environments. Visitors can observe Darwin’s rheas, maras (Patagonian hares), and guanacos in the pampas. South American sea lions and Humboldt penguins inhabit the rocky coastal areas, while the Andean forest section is home to pumas and Andean pudus, the smallest deer species.
The Sahel-Sudan biozone represents the African savanna and is the largest area within the park. It is home to large mammals such as West African giraffes, white rhinoceroses, and African lions. This section also houses antelopes like the scimitar-horned oryx and the addax, both endangered or extinct in the wild.
The European biozone showcases animals from European ecosystems, including Iberian wolves and vultures. The Amazon-Guyana biozone immerses visitors in a tropical rainforest environment, featuring Caribbean manatees, Brazilian tapirs, capybaras, and various primates, including brown woolly monkeys and white-faced saki monkeys.
The Madagascar biozone comprises two distinct island ecosystems: tropical rainforest and dry forest. This section highlights unique Malagasy species, such as various lemurs, including crowned sifakas. A large greenhouse within the park simulates a tropical rainforest climate, providing a warm, humid environment for many Amazon-Guyana and Madagascar species.
Planning Your Visit
The Paris Zoological Park is open year-round. Operating hours vary by season: from late March to mid-October, the park is open from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays, extending to 7:30 PM on weekends, school holidays, and public holidays. During summer holidays (early July to late August), the park is open until 7:30 PM daily, with select Thursday evenings extending until 10:00 PM.
Ticket prices are around €22 for adults and €17 for children aged 3 to 12, with free admission for children under 3 years old. Purchasing tickets online in advance is advisable to streamline entry, as the ticket office closes one hour before the park’s closing time. The park is accessible, offering wheelchair loans upon presentation of an identity document.
The park is well-connected by public transport. Visitors can reach the entrance, located at the intersection of Avenue Daumesnil and Route de Ceinture du Lac Daumesnil, via Metro Line 8 to Porte Dorée station (a walk of less than 10 minutes). Alternatively, Metro Line 1 to Saint-Mandé or Château de Vincennes (followed by bus 46) are options. Several bus lines (46, 86, 201, 325) also stop directly at the Parc Zoologique. While the park lacks a dedicated parking lot, limited accessible spaces are available nearby, and some car parks offer preferential rates.