Visit the park Le Pal : tickets, prices, times

Would you like to visit the Le Pal animal park? Discover our tips and information to discover it at best!

Located in the region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, in the department of Allier, Le Pal is an amusement park and a French zoological park. Created in 1973, it offers about 50 hectares of attractions. It also features 700 animals, as well as several animal shows. These animals are both local and European species and other continents. Here you can admire red pandas, white-handed gibbons, hippopotamus or lycaons!

Would you like to visit the Le Pal animal park? In this article, you will find all the necessary information to discover this French amusement park and zoo. From our tips to practical information, to rates and times, you will know the essentials to plan your visit and make the most of it!

History of the animal park Le Pal

The Pal Zoological Park was created in 1973 by André Charbonnier with the help of the veterinarian Zoo de Vincennes . He thus derives his name from the place called The Pal where he was built. To finance this project, André Charbonnier sells his livestock feed plant in Moulins. First zoo, Le Pal also became an amusement park from 1981.

As a result, the wildlife park has many attractions from French manufacturers’ workshops. In 1988, Le Pal opened for example "The Colorado Descent" of Soquet, then "The Siberian Tiger" of Reverchon in 1990 or "The Canadian River" of Soquet again in 1992.

Today, the animal park Le Pal sees its frequentation constantly grows. Since 2013, it has hosted over 500,000 annual visitors. It has thus become one of the ten most frequent zoological parks in France, but also one of the most frequent tourist sites in the region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

Our tips for visiting the park Le Pal

Did you plan to visit the park Le Pal? To help you organize, here are some useful tips and information.

The best time to visit the park Le Pal

The Pal is very busy on weekends, holidays and during the summer. We recommend that you visit it during the week , off holidays and bridges.

Visit time of the park Le Pal

To visit the Le Pal animal park, there are two formulas: a long journey of about 3h and a short of 1h30.

To enjoy all the attractions, the park and all the shows, you should have two full days.

Some practical information

Here are some practical information to know before visiting the Le Pal animal park:

• Some attractions are not accessible to measurable visitors 100 centimeters.
• Only disabled dogs are accepted in the park. All other pets are prohibited in the park and in the Lodges. However, you can entrust your pet to a pay kennel located in Thiel-sur-Acolin.
• The picnics are allowed in the park. One. picnic area is arranged near the bus parking. Several spaces have also been built inside the park.
• Des paid records are located at the entrance of the park, just after the ticket check. Prices are €2 or €3 per day depending on size.

For any questions, do not hesitate to consult the Park FAQ or contact Le Pal in advance of your visit.

What to do during your visit to the animal park Le Pal?

It is possible to divide the park Le Pal into three parts and activities: the zoo, the amusement park and the shows. Let's see what awaits you in each one.

The zoo

The zoo is obviously one of the highlights of the park. Le Pal présente une 60 local or global species . These include wolves from Canada, alligators, capybaras, giraffes, snow harfangs, Asian lions, snow panthers, tigers and wallabys.

The park also houses a Educational farm addressed to children. The farm's animals can be discovered or rediscovered: goats, sheep, rabbits, pigs, chickens and pigeons.

The amusement park

Visiting the animal park Le Pal is also experiencing strong sensations, enjoying aquatic attractions or watching her children marvel at charming rides. With her 30 attractions , Le Pal has everything it takes to satisfy all types of visitors.

For strong sensations, you can try several Russian mountains, such as Azteca or Twist , but also the vertiginous Sunset . To cool off, several aquatic attractions are present, including Canadian River ! You can also go down the river Colorado , with the attraction of the same name, or live a battle of water with Alligator Baie . Several rides are also available for young people, such as African hiking , Oriental Balloons or Castor River .

Animal shows

The park offers three shows animals.

In the first, you will witness the ballet of the Patagonia Otters, known for their innate sense of play and comedy. In the second, the raptors, impressive in intelligence and power, are honoured. The latter finally staged parrots, aras, cacatoes and other wigs.

In addition to the shows are educational animations as well as animal feeds. You can thus attend the feeding of Pandas Roux, Hippopotamus, Cap Manchots and Gibbons.

How much does a ticket cost to the animal park Le Pal?

Here are the standard rates to visit the Le Pal animal park:

• Adult and child in 10 years : 30€
• Child 1 meter (dried) to 9 years : 27€
• Child less than 1 metre (sold) : Free

The entrance obviously includes access to the zoo and the amusement park. There are also other rates:

• Billet Malin (to be purchased at least 7 days before your visit): 4€ saved per person.
• Billet Gold (to buy at least 2 days before your visit): 6€ more expensive, but with priority access to 6 attractions.
• Pass Season : unlimited access with benefits.
• Billet Passion : 2 consecutive days at reduced prices.

More information can be found on the official website of Le Pal animal park.

How do I book an online ticket for Le Pal animal park?

You can book your ticket to visit the Le Pal animal park directly on the official website.

By buying your tickets online, you will not have to go to the caisses and save time. In addition, you can present your tickets directly to your smartphone without printing them.

Opening hours of the animal park Le Pal

The opening hours and dates of the Le Pal animal park vary throughout the year. In 2020, the park will be opened from 11 April to 27 September, but not continuously. Here are the opening dates in 2020:

• April : from 11 to 13 for Easter, on Wednesday 15 and from 18 to 30 in continuous.
• May Friday 1st and 8th, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as 21/22 for the Pont de l’Ascension.
• June : Monday 1st for Pentecost, Wednesday 3 and the weekend of 6/7 and then continuously from 10 to 30.
• July and August Every day.
• September Weekends and Wednesdays 2 and 9.

The park opens 10:00 . The closure is then made at 6:00 and 19:00 certain days and daily attendance.

How do I go to the animal park Le Pal?

The animal park is at the following address: Saint-Pourçain-sur-Besbre, 03290 Dompierre-sur-Besbre, France. The Pal is located 1h30 from Clermont-Ferrand and Bourges, as well as 2 hours from Lyon, Dijon and Saint-Etienne.

By car, you can borrow:

• A6 north-south, exit 26 Chalon-Sud, direction Moulins
• A6 south-north, exit 29 Mâcon-Sud, direction Moulins
• A71 north-south, exit 11 Montmarault, direction Le PAL/Mâcon
• A71 sud-nord, exit 12 Gannat, direction Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule and Varennes-sur-Allier

By train, it is possible to take a TER to Dompierre-Sept-Fons. From this station you can rent a car with ORICAR or take a car Blablacar to the animal park.

Where to park near the park Le Pal?

The Pal has several free parking .

If you come by camping-car, know that there is a car park dedicated to the cars and campers the day. At nightfall, this parking closes. But you can park on the parking lot P3, P4 or P5 or go to a reception area and services for motorhomes. You will find one in Thiel-sur-Acolin 3 kilometers from the park or at the municipal campsite of Dompierre-sur-Besbre 6 kilometers away.

Where to stay near Le Pal animal park?

To visit the Le Pal animal park and extend your stay, you can obviously stay in its lodges on pilots! The leisure site offers a hotel offering with 31 lodges inspired by the camps of African reserves. Well installed in your accommodation, you will have a choice on the savanna side. The latter offers a refreshing show with its zebras, antelopes and gnous. On the other hand, you can contemplate the endemic aquatic and wild fauna of the Great African Lakes: hippopotamus and pelicans.

Comfortable and planned for a small family, these accommodations are ideal for those who wish to stay close to the pet park.