top of page

Thoiry Zoo-Safari

Thoiry has diversified its activities to offer a good dose of adrenaline to adventurers of all ages. The zipline over the big cats: For the most daring, a giant zipline lets you fly over the lion enclosure and part of the safari plain. Thrills guaranteed as you soar above the predators' territory! The Safari Air Park: A unique concept of net bridges suspended in the trees, covering 1,500 square meters above the African plain. Children can let loose safely while enjoying breathtaking aerial views of the antelopes and giraffes below. The giant maze: A large, historical plant maze of 9,000 square meters, themed around evolution and mythological creatures, perfect for playing at getting lost with the family.

Located just forty kilometers west of Paris, in the Yvelines department, Wow Safari Thoiry (commonly known as Thoiry Zoo Park) is much more than just a zoo. A pioneer in Europe when it opened in 1968, it completely reinvented the concept of the animal park by reversing the roles: here, humans drive around and the animals live in semi-freedom.

The Safari Reserve, Africa within easy driving distance

This is the park's flagship activity. In your own vehicle (or an optional guided bush truck), you'll explore a vast 60-hectare estate where wildlife roams freely.

Crossing the African Plains: You'll drive among herds of zebras, wildebeest, camels, and antelopes (including the majestic Leche waterbuck). African elephants, the true kings of the plains, offer an unforgettable spectacle just a few meters from your windshield.

The Bear and Bison Zone: As you move to the next section, the atmosphere shifts to North America. Black bears wander peacefully through the groves, occasionally crossing paths with imposing European and American bison.

Safety instructions: For the respect of the animals, the speed is limited to 10 km/h, the windows must remain strictly closed, and the animals always have absolute priority over vehicles.

Thoiry has diversified its activities to offer a good dose of adrenaline to adventurers of all ages. The zipline over the big cats: For the most daring, a giant zipline lets you fly over the lion enclosure and part of the safari plain. Thrills guaranteed as you soar above the predators' territory! The Safari Air Park: A unique concept of net bridges suspended in the trees, covering 1,500 square meters above the African plain. Children can let loose safely while enjoying breathtaking aerial views of the antelopes and giraffes below. The giant maze: A large, historical plant maze of 9,000 square meters, themed around evolution and mythological creatures, perfect for playing at getting lost with the family.
Thoiry has diversified its activities to offer a good dose of adrenaline to adventurers of all ages. The zipline over the big cats: For the most daring, a giant zipline lets you fly over the lion enclosure and part of the safari plain. Thrills guaranteed as you soar above the predators' territory! The Safari Air Park: A unique concept of net bridges suspended in the trees, covering 1,500 square meters above the African plain. Children can let loose safely while enjoying breathtaking aerial views of the antelopes and giraffes below. The giant maze: A large, historical plant maze of 9,000 square meters, themed around evolution and mythological creatures, perfect for playing at getting lost with the family.
Thoiry has diversified its activities to offer a good dose of adrenaline to adventurers of all ages. The zipline over the big cats: For the most daring, a giant zipline lets you fly over the lion enclosure and part of the safari plain. Thrills guaranteed as you soar above the predators' territory! The Safari Air Park: A unique concept of net bridges suspended in the trees, covering 1,500 square meters above the African plain. Children can let loose safely while enjoying breathtaking aerial views of the antelopes and giraffes below. The giant maze: A large, historical plant maze of 9,000 square meters, themed around evolution and mythological creatures, perfect for playing at getting lost with the family.

The Walking Zoo and its Immersive Glass Tunnels

Thoiry has diversified its activities to offer a good dose of adrenaline to adventurers of all ages. The zipline over the big cats: For the most daring, a giant zipline lets you fly over the lion enclosure and part of the safari plain. Thrills guaranteed as you soar above the predators' territory! The Safari Air Park: A unique concept of net bridges suspended in the trees, covering 1,500 square meters above the African plain. Children can let loose safely while enjoying breathtaking aerial views of the antelopes and giraffes below. The giant maze: A large, historical plant maze of 9,000 square meters, themed around evolution and mythological creatures, perfect for playing at getting lost with the family.

Once you've parked your car, the adventure continues on foot through a beautifully landscaped, wooded park designed to bring you as close as possible to the most fascinating species.

The Lion Tunnel: Exclusive to Thoiry. You'll walk through a glass pedestrian tunnel that cuts right through the big cat enclosure. The lions, lionesses, and cubs love to lie on the transparent structure, offering you a breathtaking face-to-face encounter just centimeters from their claws.

The Tiger and Hyena Tunnel: Using the same immersive model, you can observe the spotted hyenas or the silent gait of the Siberian tigers from a completely new perspective.

Lemur Island and the Ark of Small Creatures: Stroll without barriers among the playful ring-tailed lemurs (maki catta) on their dedicated island, then explore an eco-designed building housing little-known amphibians, invertebrates and small mammals.

Thoiry has diversified its activities to offer a good dose of adrenaline to adventurers of all ages. The zipline over the big cats: For the most daring, a giant zipline lets you fly over the lion enclosure and part of the safari plain. Thrills guaranteed as you soar above the predators' territory! The Safari Air Park: A unique concept of net bridges suspended in the trees, covering 1,500 square meters above the African plain. Children can let loose safely while enjoying breathtaking aerial views of the antelopes and giraffes below. The giant maze: A large, historical plant maze of 9,000 square meters, themed around evolution and mythological creatures, perfect for playing at getting lost with the family.

Thrills and a giant zip line

Thoiry has diversified its activities to offer a good dose of adrenaline to adventurers of all ages.

The zipline over the big cats: For the most daring, a giant zipline lets you fly over the lion enclosure and part of the safari plain. Thrills guaranteed as you soar above the predators' territory!

The Safari Air Park: A unique concept of net bridges suspended in the trees, covering 1,500 square meters above the African plain. Children can let loose safely while enjoying breathtaking aerial views of the antelopes and giraffes below.

The giant maze: A large, historical plant maze of 9,000 square meters, themed around evolution and mythological creatures, perfect for playing at getting lost with the family.

Thoiry has diversified its activities to offer a good dose of adrenaline to adventurers of all ages. The zipline over the big cats: For the most daring, a giant zipline lets you fly over the lion enclosure and part of the safari plain. Thrills guaranteed as you soar above the predators' territory! The Safari Air Park: A unique concept of net bridges suspended in the trees, covering 1,500 square meters above the African plain. Children can let loose safely while enjoying breathtaking aerial views of the antelopes and giraffes below. The giant maze: A large, historical plant maze of 9,000 square meters, themed around evolution and mythological creatures, perfect for playing at getting lost with the family.

The Castle and its historic botanical gardens

The Thoiry estate is more than just its exotic wildlife. It is also a remarkable historical site, owned by the de La Panouse family for centuries.

The Château de Thoiry: This Renaissance architectural masterpiece (16th century) is designed like a mirror to the sun: its rooms are bathed in sunlight during the summer and winter solstices. Furnished with period pieces, it is open to the public and reveals centuries of French history.

The gardens, designated a "Remarkable Garden": Spanning 126 hectares, they include English gardens, French formal gardens designed by successors of Le Nôtre, and a famous avenue of giant rhododendrons that is spectacular in spring.

Thoiry has diversified its activities to offer a good dose of adrenaline to adventurers of all ages. The zipline over the big cats: For the most daring, a giant zipline lets you fly over the lion enclosure and part of the safari plain. Thrills guaranteed as you soar above the predators' territory! The Safari Air Park: A unique concept of net bridges suspended in the trees, covering 1,500 square meters above the African plain. Children can let loose safely while enjoying breathtaking aerial views of the antelopes and giraffes below. The giant maze: A large, historical plant maze of 9,000 square meters, themed around evolution and mythological creatures, perfect for playing at getting lost with the family.

Magical Nights: Mother-of-Pearl Lands and Wild Lights

Over the years, the park has transformed into a destination that captivates visitors even after sunset.

Wild Lights (winter season): From late autumn to early spring, the walking trails are illuminated at nightfall by thousands of giant silk lanterns. This enchanting, entirely handmade trail features animals, fantastical plants, and dreamlike scenery for a magical nighttime stroll.

Unique accommodations (Terres de Nacre / Denia): Thoiry offers memorable overnight stays in the heart of the park. You can sleep in "tanis" (elevated cabins) or upscale eco-lodges located just above the bear or wolf enclosures, falling asleep to the sound of howls and waking up to the sounds of wildlife.

Conclusion

Wow Safari Thoiry has successfully achieved the ambitious goal of combining entertainment, adrenaline, and biodiversity preservation, all within an exceptional heritage setting. Whether you come to experience the thrill of a drive-through safari, the excitement of a close encounter with a lion in a glass tunnel, or to marvel at its winter illuminations, Thoiry is an unmissable and unforgettable family outing, just outside the capital.

Wow Safari Thoiry (Reception at the Estate)

Information Regarding Visuals: This website uses computer-generated images and illustrations created by artificial intelligence for atmospheric and stylistic purposes. These representations are not actual photographs and are strictly non-binding.

bottom of page