Visit La Flèche Zoo: the iconic park between Le Mans and Angers offers you a unique experience among the 1,500 animals. Ideal for small and large!
There are many zoos in France, but La Flèche is a must. Located in the Sarthe department, between Le Mans and Angers, it is an ideal stop on the holiday road, or simply to spend the day there if you live nearby. In this 18-hectare zoo, there are 1,500 animals, 100 employees, as well as many shows. And if you want to experience an even more intense experience, why not sleep at the Safari Lodge in the heart of the park?
Don’t wait to visit the zoo in La Flèche, it’s the ideal place to go around the world in a day. For the most curious, it is also the opportunity to discover the filming place of the television documentary of France 4, A season at the zoo. Take the time to observe these animals, you will have so many memories to tell when you come home.
History of the zoo
Photo credit: Shutterstock / BMCL
The history of the La Flèche Zoo began in 1946, one year after the end of the Second World War. It is a certain Jacques Bouillault who embarks on the adventure, bringing together some animals on the hill of the Red Tertre. The park is the first in France and bears the name zoo of the Red Tertre. Over the years, the park has grown and many citizens are visiting the zoo. The creation of a museum of natural sciences and the large vivarium detonates the number of entrances to reach 455,000 visitors per year in 1973.
In the 1980s, the Flèche Zoo took a new turn and its success was no longer really at the rendezvous. The owner was then invited to put the key under the door in 1988, despite the associations fighting to save the park. He is bought by Raymond Da Cunha who renames him the zoo of La Flèche.
Small to small, the park develops and new animations are created. First the Marine World complex, bird shows, then the arrival of bears and tigers, etc. The zoo of La Flèche as we know today begins to take shape. Besides this, a large number of people are hired to work within the structure, to care for animals.
The Zoo de la Flèche today
But the major change of the park, the one that makes the difference if you come to visit the zoo of La Flèche, these are its lodges. In 2014, four lodges were built in the heart of the park to allow tourists to experience a unique experience. Concretely, you sleep in the midst of wolves, tigers and white bears.
Today, La Flèche Zoo is managed by Looping Group, and the general manager is Stéphane Da Cunha, Raymond’s son. Each year, it attracts 400,000 visitors and is part of the top 5 of the most famous zoological parks in France. With the aim of animal well-being, the zoo is making every effort to make animals feel at home.
What to see and do at La Flèche zoo?
You can't get bored at the zoo in La Flèche! On the 18 hectares of the park, 1,500 animals walk there, and entertainment and shows take place regularly. You also have the lodges, a boutique and catering area.
Animals
Among the 1,500 animals, including 160 different species, several spaces were created, such as:
- The Asian plain: rhinoceros, antelopes, red pandas, otters, voliere;
- Marine World: sea lions, manchots, otters, polar bears, arctic wolves, white tigers;
- Nosy Komba: lemurians, turtles, birds, flamingos;
- The vivarium: snakes, rodents, turtles, tattoos.
There are also other animals, such as giraffes, elephants, lions, monkeys, hippopotamus, panthers, lamas, and many other unknown species. The flora is also a point of attention of the park. When visiting the Flèche Zoo, you will discover more than 800 plant species that not only make the beauty of the zoo, but they contribute mainly to the well-being of animals.
- New 2019: the two tigers of Sumatra move to their new enclosures, much more beautiful and spacious. The originality in all this? You can see them swimming through a glass bay, underwater vision. Another argument to visit the zoo in La Flèche!
The animations
Every day of the week, you can observe animals during their meals, make presentations or admire them at very specific times. For this, you just need to refer to the schedules listed on the program that you are given at the park entrance.
Among these events are:
- taste hippopotamus;
- presentation with reptiles;
- the training of the sea lions;
- the polar bear diving;
- taste giraffes;
- meeting with elephants' caretaker.
The shows
From April to October, the La Flèche zoo organizes shows so that you can enjoy differently. So long-awaited moments for young and old, do not miss the schedules on the program delivered at the park entrance.
- Marine World: California's sea lions show. Saltos, surfing, and other aquatic prowes, the sea lions are real sea gymnastes. They prove it to you in music;
- The Lords of Heaven: the spectacle of birds in free flight. Hold your breath when raptors squeeze your head;
- Parrot Jungle: the multicolored aras show. Address games and health courses, parrots will make you laugh.
The Safari Lodge
Since 2013, it is possible to spend one or more nights in the heart of the zoo of La Flèche, among animals. Beautiful wooden lodges were built in very specific areas of the park. You have the immense opportunity to observe the most fascinating animals on the planet, with only a barrier a large glass bay. Imagine: a tiger that looks closely at you at nightfall, or a polar bear bathing in your eyes. In addition, you enjoy luxury comfort, with the cocooning spirit of the wooden chalet. However, this magical experience has a price, which does not prevent this unusual accommodation from displaying complete.
How do I go to La Flèche zoo?
The exact address is: Le Tertre Rouge, 72200 La Flèche. It is located in the Sarthe, between Angers and Le Mans.
To visit La Flèche zoo, you can take the car or train.
By car
- Angers and Le Mans: 45 minutes via the A11 or the D23
- Laval and Alençon : 1h15 via the A11
- Nantes : 1h30 via the A11
- Chartres : 2h via the A11
- Rennes, Caen and Orléans : 2h15 via the A81, the A28 and the A10
- Paris : 2h30 via the A11
Please note: parking is free.
By train
To visit La Flèche zoo, stop at Le Mans train station or Angers Saint-Laud. From Le Mans, take the bus line n°26 to reach La Flèche bus station. From Angers, this is line number 2. The free shuttle is unfortunately not operational all year, only in the summer.
Zoo rates
Schedule
The La Flèche zoo is open every day of the year, except December 25 and January 1. Hours vary depending on periods. You better check the official website before you go.
- opening between 9h30 and 10h
- closing between 5:30 and 7:30
A day is not too much to visit the zoo in La Flèche. We advise you to go from the opening.
Rates
- Ticket 1 day : 24 € adult and 19 € child
- Day note: 36 € adult and 28 € child
Free for under 3 years.
There are reductions for people with reduced mobility, groups and an annual pass.
Good to know.
- pets are not allowed to enter the park. A guarding service is available;
- it is possible to picnic in the park on the areas provided for this purpose. Several means of restoration are proposed;
- to follow the profession of caregiver at the zoo of La Flèche more closely, a one-day activity can be organized at a fairly high price.
Loading comments ...