Into the unknown: zoos of western France
- Thread starter lintworm
- Start date
I thought it was signed as Sri Lankan, but aren't sure anymore. It was for sure not the black leopard mentioned on ZTL. I inserted a bad picture of the individual, which could well be Sri Lankan imo:
That enclosure was still signed as being under construction, but there was a couple of unsigned Yaks living in there currently.
Attachments
Obterre, Réserve Zoologique de la Haute-Touche
Part of the French Natural History Museum, just like both Parisian zoos, this is a weird beast. It is a wholly uncommercial place and shamelessly focused on ungulates, without much distraction by animals that normal people would want to see. You start with a drive through past several enclosures for Red Deer, Fallow Deer (in multiple colours), Mouflon, Alpine Ibex and European Wolves. All extremely simple, but large and effective for the animals. Then you drive past some enclosures that you will later see on foot as well and these mostly host animals with a (successful) conservation story like Scimitar-horned Oryx, Addax, Mesopotamian Fallow Deer and Przewalski Horses.
Blackbuck & Axis Deer paddock
Pere David's Deer enclosure
Only after some time you reach a small parking lot, from where the walking part of the zoo starts. As the zoo is huge and for most visitors there is not too much to see along the way, there is a very successful rental of bikes and golf carts to get around the place. Given the size and the limited amount of visitors (<50.000 per year), there is 0 competition for space between the different transport options. The hoofstock enclosures are almost without exception huge and simple. For the animals it is great, but sometimes all you can see of the animals is a group of brown specks in the distance. This is the first zoo where I really wanted to have my binoculars (also because there are wild Black Terns on the main lake). If you are desperate enough, there are binoculars for hire too
. In some areas it feels like a pleasant walk through a forest estate, but then with exotic animals on the side. The collection is one of the best ungulate collections in Europe (>40 taxa), with about 20 deer taxa + a variety of antelope, wild goats and more. With American Moose, White-tailed Deer, Siamese Eld’s Deer, Indian Muntjac, White-lipped Peccary, Nubian Ibex, Gaur and more, there is enough to get the mammal lover excited here. The only problem is seeing them properly (or at all sometimes). I was especially happy to see White-tailed Gnu again, a species which has a patchy distribution in Europe and is absent from most larger zoos and I hadn’t seen one for 10 years… Apart from hoofstock there are some larger carnivores present, with Striped Hyena and a large group of Dhole as highlight. Some smallish lemur islands are obligatory as well, as are Meerkats. In terms of birds there are some of the standard larger pinioned birds and ratites and not a lot more. All the Little Bustards are in a breeding centre behind the scenes.
Beisa Oryx & Spurred Tortoise
Lemur island example
White-tailed Gnu
There is not a lot more to say about this zoo, as many enclosures can feel a bit repetitive and there is often little to distinguish them, except for their inhabitants. With all the fencing it is maybe not the prettiest zoo, but it is at least a zoo without any pretence and shamelessly is what it wants to be: a place that houses large breeding groups of ungulates. It exceeds in that very well and has a nice laid back atmosphere. I am very glad they are open to the public and not a closed breeding centre. There is almost no bigger contrast possible with Beauval, just 40 km north from here. This place really is a must if you like ungulates and otherwise it is also an unique type of zoo, which combines elements of the old Planckendael/TP Berlin with a wildpark vibe.
Siamese Eld's Deer
More pictures are in the gallery:
Haute-Touche Animal Reserve - ZooChat
Part of the French Natural History Museum, just like both Parisian zoos, this is a weird beast. It is a wholly uncommercial place and shamelessly focused on ungulates, without much distraction by animals that normal people would want to see. You start with a drive through past several enclosures for Red Deer, Fallow Deer (in multiple colours), Mouflon, Alpine Ibex and European Wolves. All extremely simple, but large and effective for the animals. Then you drive past some enclosures that you will later see on foot as well and these mostly host animals with a (successful) conservation story like Scimitar-horned Oryx, Addax, Mesopotamian Fallow Deer and Przewalski Horses.
Blackbuck & Axis Deer paddock
Pere David's Deer enclosure
Only after some time you reach a small parking lot, from where the walking part of the zoo starts. As the zoo is huge and for most visitors there is not too much to see along the way, there is a very successful rental of bikes and golf carts to get around the place. Given the size and the limited amount of visitors (<50.000 per year), there is 0 competition for space between the different transport options. The hoofstock enclosures are almost without exception huge and simple. For the animals it is great, but sometimes all you can see of the animals is a group of brown specks in the distance. This is the first zoo where I really wanted to have my binoculars (also because there are wild Black Terns on the main lake). If you are desperate enough, there are binoculars for hire too
. In some areas it feels like a pleasant walk through a forest estate, but then with exotic animals on the side. The collection is one of the best ungulate collections in Europe (>40 taxa), with about 20 deer taxa + a variety of antelope, wild goats and more. With American Moose, White-tailed Deer, Siamese Eld’s Deer, Indian Muntjac, White-lipped Peccary, Nubian Ibex, Gaur and more, there is enough to get the mammal lover excited here. The only problem is seeing them properly (or at all sometimes). I was especially happy to see White-tailed Gnu again, a species which has a patchy distribution in Europe and is absent from most larger zoos and I hadn’t seen one for 10 years… Apart from hoofstock there are some larger carnivores present, with Striped Hyena and a large group of Dhole as highlight. Some smallish lemur islands are obligatory as well, as are Meerkats. In terms of birds there are some of the standard larger pinioned birds and ratites and not a lot more. All the Little Bustards are in a breeding centre behind the scenes. Beisa Oryx & Spurred Tortoise
Lemur island example
White-tailed Gnu
There is not a lot more to say about this zoo, as many enclosures can feel a bit repetitive and there is often little to distinguish them, except for their inhabitants. With all the fencing it is maybe not the prettiest zoo, but it is at least a zoo without any pretence and shamelessly is what it wants to be: a place that houses large breeding groups of ungulates. It exceeds in that very well and has a nice laid back atmosphere. I am very glad they are open to the public and not a closed breeding centre. There is almost no bigger contrast possible with Beauval, just 40 km north from here. This place really is a must if you like ungulates and otherwise it is also an unique type of zoo, which combines elements of the old Planckendael/TP Berlin with a wildpark vibe.
Siamese Eld's Deer
More pictures are in the gallery:
Haute-Touche Animal Reserve - ZooChat
Such a pity, that this place is so remote! It obviously require multiple visits to reward you with some of the most spectacular Ungulate sightings in Europe. Thank you for the perspective pictures and another eye-opening review! Let hope, that the future will bring more transport opportunities to the Loire Valley.
Indeed - one of only a few French collections I have much inclination to visit and it's about as near-inaccessible as it's possible to be
I doubt it will ever become accessible by public transport. Apart from the already isolated location, the entrance and exit of the walking safari are both located quite a way from the nearest road. Even more random is that the entrance and exit connect to two completely different roads, which are miles apart... My gps originally wanted to send me in via the exit road, but fortunately the signage to the entrance is quite good
. Without a car this place is probably the hardest to reach and leave of any zoo....
Maybe in Europe - in North American barley any zoos are accessible without a car.
I'm not sure I'd say that. Easier with a car? Absolutely, but there are still ways to access them by public transport (at least for major zoos, there are probably roadside zoos in the US that you can't get to without a car).
Last edited:
Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, Zooparc de Beauval
While, widely regarded as the best zoo in France by the general public, it is most certainly the one with the biggest and most comprehensive collection, but for me not the best. Beauval is a strange beast and though there is nothing particularly wrong with most of the zoo’s enclosures individually, Beauval manages to be less than the sum of its parts. I will apologize to @sooty mangabey and others in advance, as the following review might be a bit critical.
I know there are plenty of zoo nerds who like Beauval and if you are a fan of big collections, in mostly fine (but in many cases unforgettable) enclosures, this is a place for you. In a way it is reminiscent of Berlin, but then without all the history, but it also has the shamelessly commercial feel of Pairi Daiza, but then without all the theming. My main problem is that this place lacks a soul, there is nothing that makes a Beauval enclosure, a Beauval enclosure and there is absolutely no coherence in this chaotic zoo. The red line visible is that money talks and every year something new should be opened. This new doesn’t have to fit in with the rest of the zoo and should be focused on showing animals to the public, with landscaping and theming of secondary concern. Contrary to Pairi Daiza, the majority of the new additions are spacious and fine for the animals and there are pnly a few eyesores being built from that perspective in the past few years. But every enclosure (complex) seems to be built in a different style. In the Giant Panda area there is cultural theming, new Africa enclosures are a mock rock paradise with fake baobabs, the Indian Rhino area is just a typical French countryside zoo, but bigger, etc. Something that French zoos generally don’t consider is cross-viewing and there are so many examples here where that could easily have been avoided, that it is annoying. If you go to great length to recreate an African (rocky) savannah, it shouldn’t have been difficult to change the topography a tiny bit, so you don’t see the visitors on the other side of the Lion enclosure… Some of the new additions are quite good and I did like the nicely planted Tasmanian Devil enclosure and the Giant Panda outdoors area is one of the best in Europe. The Hippo aviary is also spectacular and it is really huge and great for the birds. From a hippo perspective it is however strange that the land area is not extended into the Nyala & Red River Hog enclosures (it isn't that small now, but could easily be great) or that the outdoor area cannot be separated, which should be really easy… The hippos were only let outside at 10:30 (!!) and only mother and calf were out, so the other two hippos were locked inside the whole day. If you are building such a huge aviary, it is shocking what mistakes how little effort has gone into the hippos themselves. I was also wondering what all those Pikes did in the pool, which was also used by waterfowl…. From an architectural point this aviary is hugely impressive and probably has the best underwater view for Common Hippo in Europe and it is great to see pelicans fly in a zoo. But even then it leaves a sour taste and one wonders whether the hippos are locked in so much to ensure the underwater views are clear…
Hippo aviary (note the pelican in the top of the baobab)
Tasmanian Devil enclosure
Giant Panda enclosure
Next to the hippo aviary is the Equatorial Dome, a 3000 square meter rainforest hall. It is impossible not to compare it with Gondwanaland, Masoala or Burgers’ Bush but if you do it is a complete let-down. It seems as they have taken inspiration from Gondwanaland and Omaha’s Lied Jungle and the only lesson they learnt was not to put tapirs in. It starts already with the entrance, which is a mock rock tunnel appearing out of nowhere, clearly leading you inside a greenhouse (which located on top of a hill, isn’t exactly integrated in the landscape). In such a case using mock rock just makes no sense at all from a theming perspective (contrary to the entrance to the hippo aviary where you actually go underground and can't see where you are going). The dome itself is crammed full with enclosures and a winding pathway. This place will never produce a rainforest feeling, as there is simply no place for enough trees amidst all the paths, water bodies and enclosures. The execution of this hall comes across as lazy. I counted no less then 12 (!) waterfalls and only 3 free-flying bird species (and when do zoos finally learn Superb Starlings are arid country birds, not forest birds….). The fact you hear bird song played from a speaker says enough. The individual enclosures are mostly fine, but unspectacular. The monkey enclosures have a lot of height and climbing opportunities and the Giant Otter tank is also large. A highlight are the terraria spread around the building, they are really pretty with an interesting collection. The Pygmy Hippos get the short end of the stick with a tiny land area and one was swimming stereotypically a long time. The manatee pool (1 or 1.6 million liters?) is a disappointment. It is impressive at first sight, but seriously overcrowded, more so than Singapore. At least there is always a manatee visible in the murky water. A serious issue with the hall is the constant glare on the windows and cross-viewing between the upper and the lower paths, so any pretence of a rainforest is quickly gone…. I am not sure what the idea behind this building was, probably most normal visitors like it, but there was no need to build such an imposing dome if you only want to cram it with standard enclosures and when you forget to hire a landscape architect.
Harpy Eagle aviary
Dome entrance and when using mock-rock makes no sense
Tunnel into the dome
First view after entering the dome (Manatee tank)
Pygmy Hippo enclosure
S-American terraria
Cross-viewing in the dome
Upper path through the dome
I also do have to mention the spectacular bird show, it really is spectacular to see so many birds in free flight and every part of the show had to be bigger and more spectacular than other zoos. I visited the show twice (or at least the last bit), because it is such a unique experience. I noticed that (like all talks in Beauval) it is completely scripted to the last dot, with the exact same phrases used twice. Whereas the bird show is spectacular, the large amount of bird cages in the beginning of the zoo is not. Most aviaries are seriously outdated and none are better than average. The greenhouse is supposed to be new, but here many cages were also small. Signage was hit-and-miss anyway as the free-ranging Great Blue Turaco was unsigned. But at least there was signage, the vast majority of fish throughout the zoo weren't signed at all. This is also what many zoos would do different than Beauval. Instead of fixing all these outdated bird, primate and carnivore enclosures at the bottom of the zoo first, Beauval builds huge complexes and brings in new species in extension areas. The older parts of the zoo really looked tired and were never designed for the masses that Beauval attracts now. In the coming years the Great Apes will also need significant renovations for their enclosures as privacy is lacking and space-wise the enclosures are only acceptable.
Chimpanzee island
one of two Orangutan indoor enclosures
Tiny parrot aviaries
Raptor and larger parrot aviaries
All in all, Beauval is still a must see, as one of Europe’s largest zoos, but for me it was a disappointment, even though I still enjoyed my day here. It seems all possible charisma has been sucked away by their smaller neighbour 150 km west….
There are more pictures in the gallery:
ZooParc de Beauval - ZooChat
While, widely regarded as the best zoo in France by the general public, it is most certainly the one with the biggest and most comprehensive collection, but for me not the best. Beauval is a strange beast and though there is nothing particularly wrong with most of the zoo’s enclosures individually, Beauval manages to be less than the sum of its parts. I will apologize to @sooty mangabey and others in advance, as the following review might be a bit critical.
I know there are plenty of zoo nerds who like Beauval and if you are a fan of big collections, in mostly fine (but in many cases unforgettable) enclosures, this is a place for you. In a way it is reminiscent of Berlin, but then without all the history, but it also has the shamelessly commercial feel of Pairi Daiza, but then without all the theming. My main problem is that this place lacks a soul, there is nothing that makes a Beauval enclosure, a Beauval enclosure and there is absolutely no coherence in this chaotic zoo. The red line visible is that money talks and every year something new should be opened. This new doesn’t have to fit in with the rest of the zoo and should be focused on showing animals to the public, with landscaping and theming of secondary concern. Contrary to Pairi Daiza, the majority of the new additions are spacious and fine for the animals and there are pnly a few eyesores being built from that perspective in the past few years. But every enclosure (complex) seems to be built in a different style. In the Giant Panda area there is cultural theming, new Africa enclosures are a mock rock paradise with fake baobabs, the Indian Rhino area is just a typical French countryside zoo, but bigger, etc. Something that French zoos generally don’t consider is cross-viewing and there are so many examples here where that could easily have been avoided, that it is annoying. If you go to great length to recreate an African (rocky) savannah, it shouldn’t have been difficult to change the topography a tiny bit, so you don’t see the visitors on the other side of the Lion enclosure… Some of the new additions are quite good and I did like the nicely planted Tasmanian Devil enclosure and the Giant Panda outdoors area is one of the best in Europe. The Hippo aviary is also spectacular and it is really huge and great for the birds. From a hippo perspective it is however strange that the land area is not extended into the Nyala & Red River Hog enclosures (it isn't that small now, but could easily be great) or that the outdoor area cannot be separated, which should be really easy… The hippos were only let outside at 10:30 (!!) and only mother and calf were out, so the other two hippos were locked inside the whole day. If you are building such a huge aviary, it is shocking what mistakes how little effort has gone into the hippos themselves. I was also wondering what all those Pikes did in the pool, which was also used by waterfowl…. From an architectural point this aviary is hugely impressive and probably has the best underwater view for Common Hippo in Europe and it is great to see pelicans fly in a zoo. But even then it leaves a sour taste and one wonders whether the hippos are locked in so much to ensure the underwater views are clear…
Hippo aviary (note the pelican in the top of the baobab)
Tasmanian Devil enclosure
Giant Panda enclosure
Next to the hippo aviary is the Equatorial Dome, a 3000 square meter rainforest hall. It is impossible not to compare it with Gondwanaland, Masoala or Burgers’ Bush but if you do it is a complete let-down. It seems as they have taken inspiration from Gondwanaland and Omaha’s Lied Jungle and the only lesson they learnt was not to put tapirs in. It starts already with the entrance, which is a mock rock tunnel appearing out of nowhere, clearly leading you inside a greenhouse (which located on top of a hill, isn’t exactly integrated in the landscape). In such a case using mock rock just makes no sense at all from a theming perspective (contrary to the entrance to the hippo aviary where you actually go underground and can't see where you are going). The dome itself is crammed full with enclosures and a winding pathway. This place will never produce a rainforest feeling, as there is simply no place for enough trees amidst all the paths, water bodies and enclosures. The execution of this hall comes across as lazy. I counted no less then 12 (!) waterfalls and only 3 free-flying bird species (and when do zoos finally learn Superb Starlings are arid country birds, not forest birds….). The fact you hear bird song played from a speaker says enough. The individual enclosures are mostly fine, but unspectacular. The monkey enclosures have a lot of height and climbing opportunities and the Giant Otter tank is also large. A highlight are the terraria spread around the building, they are really pretty with an interesting collection. The Pygmy Hippos get the short end of the stick with a tiny land area and one was swimming stereotypically a long time. The manatee pool (1 or 1.6 million liters?) is a disappointment. It is impressive at first sight, but seriously overcrowded, more so than Singapore. At least there is always a manatee visible in the murky water. A serious issue with the hall is the constant glare on the windows and cross-viewing between the upper and the lower paths, so any pretence of a rainforest is quickly gone…. I am not sure what the idea behind this building was, probably most normal visitors like it, but there was no need to build such an imposing dome if you only want to cram it with standard enclosures and when you forget to hire a landscape architect.
Harpy Eagle aviary
Dome entrance and when using mock-rock makes no sense
Tunnel into the dome
First view after entering the dome (Manatee tank)
Pygmy Hippo enclosure
S-American terraria
Cross-viewing in the dome
Upper path through the dome
I also do have to mention the spectacular bird show, it really is spectacular to see so many birds in free flight and every part of the show had to be bigger and more spectacular than other zoos. I visited the show twice (or at least the last bit), because it is such a unique experience. I noticed that (like all talks in Beauval) it is completely scripted to the last dot, with the exact same phrases used twice. Whereas the bird show is spectacular, the large amount of bird cages in the beginning of the zoo is not. Most aviaries are seriously outdated and none are better than average. The greenhouse is supposed to be new, but here many cages were also small. Signage was hit-and-miss anyway as the free-ranging Great Blue Turaco was unsigned. But at least there was signage, the vast majority of fish throughout the zoo weren't signed at all. This is also what many zoos would do different than Beauval. Instead of fixing all these outdated bird, primate and carnivore enclosures at the bottom of the zoo first, Beauval builds huge complexes and brings in new species in extension areas. The older parts of the zoo really looked tired and were never designed for the masses that Beauval attracts now. In the coming years the Great Apes will also need significant renovations for their enclosures as privacy is lacking and space-wise the enclosures are only acceptable.
Chimpanzee island
one of two Orangutan indoor enclosures
Tiny parrot aviaries
Raptor and larger parrot aviaries
All in all, Beauval is still a must see, as one of Europe’s largest zoos, but for me it was a disappointment, even though I still enjoyed my day here. It seems all possible charisma has been sucked away by their smaller neighbour 150 km west….
There are more pictures in the gallery:
ZooParc de Beauval - ZooChat
Looks like but I didn't find any info confirming Sri Lankan and the online map just labelled "leopards" so not sure what they are". I think it's better to modify ZTL until we have confirmation.
Indeed - one of only a few French collections I have much inclination to visit and it's about as near-inaccessible as it's possible to be
Well it's a real problem I admit but for those who are really interested in it I have an answer : myself as your own taxi driver (not like the real one in NY
)
My location is just at the center of an area with :
- la vallée des singes in 45 minutes.
- planète crocodiles in 30 minutes.
- la Haute Touche in 1h15.
- Zoodyssee in 1h15.
- Bioparc Doué in 1h15.
- Mervent in 1h30.
- Beauval in 1h30/1h45.
- la Flèche in 2h15.
- La Boissiere in 2h15.
- Planète Sauvage in 2h30.
- la Palmyre in 2h30.
I suppose I have the best location in France for visiting interesting zoos
, maybe one of the best location in Europe !So if, Zoochatters need a driver and want to visit some of these in good company, I will do my best
@lintworm Thank you for this honest review of Beauval. I think we have quite the same point of view on this park (I ever gave my opinion on this). I hope the future extensions and refurbishments on the way will upgrade the zoo but nothing is sure with the owner (who love first of all to built- he love to say it).
That hippo aviary looks really flimsy. If those hippos get ahold of a jet pack they'll cut through that mesh like tissue.
Very critical but sadly objective review of Beauval.
One thing worth adding though, it is now only the most comprehensive collection in France as you stated, but the only big collection in France. Other zoos always have a weakness either in small bird species, of small mammals. Beauval is the only place in France where you'll have pleasure seeing lots of small interesting birds, while having the regular mammal ABC's, but also Tree-Kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, Okapis, Siberian cranes, etc.
Can't wait to read your fresh review of Doué, assuming you went there. Who visits Beauval but not Doué?
One thing worth adding though, it is now only the most comprehensive collection in France as you stated, but the only big collection in France. Other zoos always have a weakness either in small bird species, of small mammals. Beauval is the only place in France where you'll have pleasure seeing lots of small interesting birds, while having the regular mammal ABC's, but also Tree-Kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, Okapis, Siberian cranes, etc.
Can't wait to read your fresh review of Doué, assuming you went there. Who visits Beauval but not Doué?
Beauval looks like classic example for a young zoo, which suffer from some "growth problems", when it comes to the animal welfare part, but their marketing department is doing an extremely good job to establish them as a "must" tourist Hot Spot. The collection is no doubt mind-blowing, but "character" is probably the key difference, which still divides them from the World's bests.
Thank you for the kind and generous offer @Antoine
! You are living in a truly dream location, not only zoowise
Well it's a real problem I admit but for those who are really interested in it I have an answer : myself as your own taxi driver (not like the real one in NY
)
I suppose I have the best location in France for visiting interesting zoos
So if, Zoochatters need a driver and want to visit some of these in good company, I will do my best
Thank you for the kind and generous offer @Antoine
! You are living in a truly dream location, not only zoowise 
This is a fascinating thread.
I've never seen Beauval reviewed in quite those terms. I've never been, and I'd still like to go to see for myself. And you've very much piqued my interest in Réserve Zoologique de la Haute-Touche - It looks a perfect day out to me. On the list it goes.
Keep them coming, and thanks for putting the effort in to document your trip lintworm.
I've never seen Beauval reviewed in quite those terms. I've never been, and I'd still like to go to see for myself. And you've very much piqued my interest in Réserve Zoologique de la Haute-Touche - It looks a perfect day out to me. On the list it goes.
Keep them coming, and thanks for putting the effort in to document your trip lintworm.
You basically copied my review of when I visited, the day before you great minds think alike!
You’re a bit harsher than I a was on the dome. I wasn’t a massive fan, but I guess I’m giving it the opportunity to grow a little and see how it looks in a few years time.
Beauval, glad I’ve seen it, I’ll be back in a decade orso. Perhaps.
great minds think alike!You’re a bit harsher than I a was on the dome. I wasn’t a massive fan, but I guess I’m giving it the opportunity to grow a little and see how it looks in a few years time.
Beauval, glad I’ve seen it, I’ll be back in a decade orso. Perhaps.
I am sure that if you ask something who has Zoo berlin, Pairi Daiza and Prague in his top-5 list of zoos, you would get a different review. As I mentioned, a lot of the parts are actually fine and if your main goal is seeing loads of interesting species, it is a great place.
You basically copied my review of when I visited, the day before you
You know, I just combined you post with ones from @Antoine , @CGSwans and @antonmuster , grabbed some pictures from the internet and wrote something based on that. Who says I ever visited this place
You know, I just combined you post with ones from @Antoine , @CGSwans and @antonmuster , grabbed some pictures from the internet and wrote something based on that. Who says I ever visited this place
HAH, busted!
Although I am pretty sure you were near Beauval this summer, so you were probably there
HAH, busted!
Although I am pretty sure you were near Beauval this summer, so you were probably there
The next review can't really deny that can it