Visiting ZooParc de Beauval during a heatwave: Everything is designed for your comfort
Yes, you can visit ZooParc de Beauval even during a heatwave, thanks to the many facilities designed to keep visitors comfortable. Open throughout the summer in the heart of the Loire Valley, the park has long offered plenty of places to stay cool. Mature trees, covered walkways, misting stations and air-conditioned indoor spaces provide welcome relief for both visitors and animals. Here’s how to make the most of your family visit to the ZooParc, even when temperatures soar.
Key information
- Beauval remains open throughout the summer, even during very hot weather.
- Plenty of places to cool off, including mature trees, shaded pathways, covered walkways and misting stations.
- Air-conditioned spaces, including shops and restaurants, are available throughout the park.
- Les Roches Vives offers children a fun way to cool off with its water play area.
- The animals benefit from carefully designed habitats and seasonal enrichment activities prepared by our keepers, who look after their welfare every day.
A refreshing oasis from morning to evening
At Beauval, staying cool starts with nature. Enjoy the shade beneath our mature trees, where lush vegetation creates naturally cooler areas above the pathways, while ponds help maintain a pleasant atmosphere throughout the park. Everything is designed to help you enjoy your summer visit in comfort.
Shaded pathways throughout the ZooParc’s 46 hectares
Greenery is at the heart of Beauval. Towering trees line the pathways, creating the feeling of walking through a forest while staying protected from the sun.
3 km of covered walkways and pathways
Throughout your visit, covered walkways, terraces and sheltered paths provide protection from both the sun and summer showers. More than 3 km of shaded routes, along with benches placed in the shade, offer plenty of opportunities to take a break.
Six misting stations throughout the ZooParc
When temperatures rise, the misting stations provide welcome relief. You’ll find them at both Le Nuage de Beauval cable car stations (Lions and Elephants), near the giant pandas, cheetahs and bongos, as well as close to the Chimpanzee and Orangutan Greenhouse. Six refreshing misting stations are spread throughout the park for cooling breaks whenever you need them.
Les Roches Vives, the perfect place for children to cool off
In the heart of Bucolia, Les Roches Vives delights children and families throughout the warmer months. Open from April to the end of September, this nearly 1,000 m² play area lets children splash through water jets, streams, waterfalls and refreshing mist.
The adventure continues through caves, suspension bridges and exploration trails specially designed for young adventurers. It is the perfect place to cool off in the middle of the day before continuing your visit to discover the animals.
To make your break even more enjoyable, free lockers are available on site, along with an optional drying cabin. Everything is designed so children can play freely before continuing their visit to the ZooParc.
Air-conditioned spaces to relax during the hottest hours
Looking for a place to cool down? During the warmest part of the day, several air-conditioned spaces throughout the park offer a welcome break from the heat.
Enjoy a cool shopping break
Take advantage of the air conditioning in the ZooParc’s four gift shops: Au Royaume des Pandas and Autour du Monde at the South Entrance, Uluwatu in the Equatorial Dome, and Du Coq à l’Âne in Bucolia. It is the perfect opportunity to cool off while discovering plush toys, games, clothing, books, local products and exclusive “Made in Beauval” creations.
Refreshing places to eat
Whether you’re stopping for lunch or enjoying a break during the day, choose one of our air-conditioned restaurants or relax on a shaded terrace. Salads, traditional dishes, regional specialities, burgers, pizzas, ice cream and cold drinks. There is something for everyone to enjoy while staying cool.
Animal welfare remains our priority during hot weather
Hot weather does not prevent you from seeing the animals. Just like us, each species responds differently to high temperatures: some enjoy basking in the sun, while others prefer cooler areas or are more active early in the morning. Whatever the weather, their welfare always comes first.
Summer enrichment to help animals stay cool
When temperatures rise, our keepers come up with creative ways to keep the animals comfortable. Frozen treats, ice blocks filled with food, mud baths for the rhinoceroses, swimming sessions for the bears and refreshing showers for the elephants. It’s a real treat to watch.
Daily care and close monitoring
Animal welfare is monitored every day through enhanced observation, adapted diets, veterinary care and, whenever necessary, adjustments to activity schedules. Every detail is carefully considered.
Animals can be seen throughout your visit
Like people, animals all respond differently to hot weather. Some enjoy the sunshine, while others seek out cooler areas. They can move freely between their outdoor habitats and indoor buildings, most of which remain visible to visitors.
Stay at Beauval this summer with air-conditioned comfort and swimming pools
Why not extend the magic until the evening? To make the most of those long summer days without suffering from the heat, staying on site makes all the difference: by staying at one of the Beauval Hotels, you can take a break in the middle of the day, have a dip in the pool, then head back into the park in the late afternoon. Facilities vary depending on the hotel:
Les Pagodes de Beauval and Les Jardins de Beauval both offer air-conditioned rooms and swimming pools, making them ideal for families during the hottest days.
If air conditioning is your priority, Les Hauts de Beauval, Les Rivages de Beauval and Le Relais Touraine Sologne all provide air-conditioned rooms for a comfortable night’s sleep, even during periods of extreme heat.
Finally, Les Hameaux de Beauval features a swimming pool, perfect for cooling off after a day exploring the ZooParc.
Booking a stay at Beauval lets you extend the magic of your visit while enjoying accommodation designed for your comfort, even during the hottest days of summer.
Five tips for staying cool during your visit
A few simple tips will help you enjoy a refreshing day at Beauval:- Arrive early: during the peak season, the ZooParc sometimes opens as early as 8:00 a.m., when temperatures are at their coolest. Be sure to check opening times before your visit.
- Bring a reusable water bottle: refill it throughout the day.
- Stay in the shade: make the most of shaded pathways and covered walkways during the hottest hours.
- Enjoy lunch in an air-conditioned restaurant.
- Head back to your hotel: relax by the pool during the middle of the day before returning to the ZooParc later in the afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Beauval during a heatwave?
Yes. ZooParc de Beauval remains open throughout the summer, even during periods of extreme heat. Shaded areas, covered walkways, misting stations and air-conditioned spaces help visitors stay cool, and the park may open earlier during particularly hot weather.
Where can you cool off at ZooParc de Beauval?
Almost everywhere! Enjoy the shade beneath mature trees, stroll along covered walkways, stop by one of the misting stations or take a break in one of our air-conditioned shops or restaurants. Children can also cool off at Les Roches Vives.
Can you still see the animals during very hot weather?
Yes. The animals remain visible throughout the day, although some species naturally adjust their activity according to the temperature. Each species has access to habitats suited to its needs, with shaded areas for those that prefer cooler conditions and sunny areas for heat-loving animals.
Are the Beauval Hotels air-conditioned?
Several of them are, although not all. Some hotels also offer swimming pools or ceiling fans. Les Pagodes de Beauval and Les Jardins de Beauval, for example, both feature air-conditioned rooms and swimming pools. For full details, please visit the Beauval Hotels page before booking.
Can children play in the water?
Yes. Located in Bucolia, Les Roches Vives is a large water play area open from April to the end of September. Water jets, streams, waterfalls and refreshing mist are all part of an adventure course designed especially for children. It is the perfect place for a refreshing family break.
Can I refill my water bottle in the park?
Yes! We recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout your visit. You can refill it at water points throughout the ZooParc. Cold drinks and ice cream are also available from our restaurants and snack outlets.
Why Beauval remains enjoyable even during a heatwave
Mature trees, covered walkways, misting stations, air-conditioned spaces and the Les Roches Vives water play area all help make your visit enjoyable, even during periods of extreme heat. Beauval’s hotels and restaurants extend that comfort throughout the day.
Far from densely built-up areas, Beauval is surrounded by nature in the heart of the Loire Valley, making all the difference during a heatwave. Check our FAQ to help plan your visit, then book your tickets or stay and enjoy everything Beauval has to offer, even under the summer sun.
