Paris Safari Park in Thoiry
Paris Safari Park in Thoiry is one of the top attractions for kids around the city. Driving his own car, the visitor is immersed in an African reserve with wild animals. There is no coach tour from Paris to Thoiry Safari. Paris for kids.
Have fun in Paris Safari Park
You want to have fun in Paris with your children. Visit Thoiry Safari Park, the only safari park near Paris.
1,500 animals of 180 species including 60 species in danger of extinction live there a natural life in the 150 hectare park of the 1564 Thoiry Castle. Giraffes, elephants, lions, tigers, bears will amaze you and your children as you ride in your car through the park. You will even walk through an impressive glass tunnel surrounded by wild tigers looking at you.
The renovated Paris zoo prioritizes the decency of the life of the animals who don't show up often. Many visitors are therefore disappointed by the number of animals they see there. Thoiry combines the decency of the animal's life and the interest of the visitors.
Giraffes in Thoiry
Visit Paris Safari Park
The African Reserve, as it is called, can be visited in your car. From early March to mid-November, it is open everyday from 10 am to 5 or 6pm depending on the day and the season. Check calendar and opening times before you go.
From Paris, take the A13 freeway, then the A12 and the N12 towards Dreux. At Pontchartrain, take the D11 towards Thoiry. You can combine Thoiry with the visit of the Versailles Palace close by and stay overnight in Versailles.
Thoiry Safari Park zebra
Paris Safari Park facts
Thoiry-en-Yvelines 78770 France
Locate Thoiry on France map.
Entrance fees: Adults: 30 euros. Children: 24 euros
Buy tickets online
There are various foodtrucks and bars in the park.
Kids will enjoy the minigolf, the zip line and many other games and adventure playgrounds.
Hippopotamus in Safari Park Paris
Thoiry history and concept
Since its creation by Paul de la Panouse in 1968, Thoiry Safari Park has always put animals at the heart of its concerns. When the park opened in May 1968, the concept was revolutionary; in the safari we met wild animals in freedom, while the families were in their car. The principle of the caged animal was reversed. Since then, Thoiry has always been innovative in the way of being able to observe animals in their natural environment while making humans disappear to make room for animals. The glass tunnels (unique in France), the footbridges, zip line above the lions, immersion enclosure and since 2021 the Dens where we sleep near the bears without being seen, allow visitors to observe life wild animals without disturbing them.
Thoiry was the first Safari to open in France, thus offering 150 hectares of semi-freedom to animals so that they retain their wild instincts and men an immersion in the heart of this protected nature. In Thoiry, there is no training and no handling of animals. They evolve and reproduce in large spaces, where they coexist among several species. Thoiry has the largest territy among French zoos. A top priority of the park is the conservation of endangered species. THe park works with many European breeding programs, in order to preserve the genetic heritage of endangered animals, and sometimes even to be able to reintroduce them into their natural environment.