The zoo of La Palmyre
Only 10 km from the Eldapi Vacances campsites, La Palmyre zoo is one of the local pride and joys and the most visited tourist site in Charente-Maritime. We tell you everything you need to know to visit La Palmyre zoo during your next camping vacation in Charente-Maritime.
A zoological park committed since 1966
La Palmyre zoo was born in 1966 thanks to Claude Caillé, the founder of the park. At the time, it only had 160 animals, but it was a great success from the very first year, which allowed the zoo to grow rapidly by welcoming new animals and expanding the park.
Among the important dates of La Palmyre Zoo, we note the arrival of a pair of giraffes in 1975, the birth of a polar bear in 1986, the opening of the Great Apes area in 2009 and the birth of a white rhinoceros in 2012.
The main mission of the zoological park is the conservation of species, especially species in danger of extinction. The park finances several conservation programs in the animals’ countries of origin. Education is also at the center of the zoo’s activities, thanks to educational workshops for children (school groups only) and various tools made available to understand some of the fundamental issues related to the animal world today.
Visit of the zoo of La Palmyre
Visiting the zoo of La Palmyre is an enchantment for young and old, the ideal place for a family outing during your stay in Charente-Maritime. In this wooded park of 18 hectares live more than 1600 animals of 10 different species.
The biggest animals are often the most appreciated and La Palmyre Zoo has no shortage of them: elephants, rhinoceroses, hippos and giraffes are present. The carnivores are perhaps the most fascinating: lions, tigers, panthers and cheetahs watch the visitors…
Primates are also well represented in the park, including the main great apes (gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans). You can also see gibbons, marmosets and lemurs. If you like reptiles, you will enjoy seeing crocodiles, turtles, iguanas and the terrifying boa constrictor.
Several species of birds are finally housed at the zoo. From pink flamingos to parrots, penguins and ostriches, birdwatchers will be delighted! The zoo also has several water areas, especially for sea lions and otters. All of these animals live in different areas of the pleasant park.
Information, rates and schedules
The price for a day at La Palmyre Zoo is 19 €. Children, from 3 to 12 years old, pay only 15 €. A reduced rate for people with disabilities is offered at 15 or 12 €. The youngest children enter free of charge.
The schedules of the zoo of La Palmyre are the following:
- from 9 am to 7 pm from April to June ;
- from 9 am to 8 pm in July and August;
- 9 am to 7 pm in September;
- from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from October to the end of March;
- from 9 am to 5:30 pm in December and January
Allow half a day to fully enjoy the park. The sea lion and parrot shows take place 2 to 3 times a day. Each show lasts about an hour.
There is also a store, a bar, a fast-food restaurant and ice-cream vendors on site. Pets are of course not allowed.
The zoo has large parking lots, but from the Eldapi Vacances campsites you can easily get there by bike if you prefer.
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