La Palmyre Zoo, at 6 avenue de Royan in Les Mathes (Charente-Maritime), near Royan, is open all year, public holidays included: 9 am to 7 pm from April 1 to September 30 and 9 am to 6 pm the rest of the year, with last entry 2 hours before closing. Admission costs €22 for an adult and €17 for a child aged 3 to 12; free under 3. The zoo announces more than 1,600 animals of 110 species in an 18-hectare (44-acre) pine forest, and a visit of about 4 hours. Here are the show times, access, climate and our tips for planning the day.
The zoo is in the heart of the Arvert peninsula: it combines with a stay on the nearby Île d’Oléron, or with a stop in La Rochelle. You will also find trip ideas in our France travel guide.
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La Palmyre Zoo: key facts
- Hours: every day of the year; 9 am – 7 pm from April 1 to September 30, 9 am – 6 pm from October 1 to March 31; last entry 2 hours before closing — checked on 23 October 2026 on zoo-palmyre.fr
- Prices: adult €22; child 3–12 €17; free under 3; French CMI disability card: €19 and €14; annual pass €66 and €51
- Booking: not mandatory; tickets at the gate or online, with no validity date
- Time needed: about 4 hours for a 4.2 km (2.6 mi) route according to the zoo’s FAQ
- Access: free car parks P1 and P2; bus from Royan station — checked on 23 October 2026 on zoo-palmyre.fr
Prices and tickets
| Ticket | Adult | Child (3–12) |
|---|---|---|
| Admission | €22 | €17 |
| Visitor with a disability (French CMI card) | €19 | €14 |
| Annual pass | €66 | €51 |
| Under 3 | — | free |
Tickets are bought at the gate or on the official website’s online ticket office; they have no validity date. Reduced rates are reserved for employee works councils (CSE) and groups (schools, associations from 25 people). On site, only cash, bank cards and ANCV holiday vouchers (a French payment voucher) are accepted. The annual pass, sold at the gate, requires an ID photo. In 2026, for its 60th anniversary, the zoo also offers an annual anniversary pass.
Our calculation: a family of 2 adults and 2 children aged 3 to 12 pays €78 for the day. The annual pass (€66 adult, €51 child) pays for itself on the 3rd visit in the year, since 3 admissions cost exactly the same (3 × €22 = €66; 3 × €17 = €51). Destination de Voyage calculation based on the official price list.
Opening hours, last entry and shows
| Month | Opening | Last entry | Animals go back inside (from) | Sunset (15th) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9 am – 6 pm | 4 pm | 5 pm | 5:46 pm |
| February | 9 am – 6 pm | 4 pm | 5 pm | 6:30 pm |
| March | 9 am – 6 pm | 4 pm | 5 pm | 7:10 pm |
| April | 9 am – 7 pm | 5 pm | 6 pm | 8:50 pm |
| May | 9 am – 7 pm | 5 pm | 6 pm | 9:28 pm |
| June | 9 am – 7 pm | 5 pm | 6 pm | 9:55 pm |
| July | 9 am – 7 pm | 5 pm | 6 pm | 9:51 pm |
| August | 9 am – 7 pm | 5 pm | 6 pm | 9:13 pm |
| September | 9 am – 7 pm | 5 pm | 6 pm | 8:16 pm |
| October | 9 am – 6 pm | 4 pm | 5 pm | 7:19 pm |
| November | 9 am – 6 pm | 4 pm | 5 pm | 5:34 pm |
| December | 9 am – 6 pm | 4 pm | 5 pm | 5:20 pm |
From Easter to All Saints’ Day, the zoo schedules shows: sea lions at 11:10 am, 3 pm and 4:45 pm, birds at 11:40 am and 3:40 pm (the 11:10 am, 4:45 pm and 11:40 am sessions depend on crowds). The zoo warns that animals start going back inside 1 hour before closing: arriving at the last minute leaves neither time to see everything nor a chance to see the animals outdoors.
What to see and how to plan your visit
The route, about 4.2 km (2.6 mi) according to the FAQ (the zoo also mentions a 4.5 km / 2.8 mi route on its practical information page), runs through a dune pine forest with some significant slopes. It brings together large mammals, primates, birds and reptiles; the tiger area is among the new features highlighted by the zoo. You can give popcorn, sold on site, to giraffes, zebras, ostriches and antelopes, but never to primates; any other food brought for the animals is forbidden.
- Morning: arrive at opening (9 am), sea lion show at 11:10 am then the birds at 11:40 am when they take place.
- Midday: picnics allowed on the benches along the route and in the stands outside shows, or fast food (bar, crêperie) from Easter to All Saints’ Day; in winter, the Café Boutique.
- Afternoon: the 3 pm and 3:40 pm sessions, then finish the route before the animals go back inside.
- Temporary exit: possible by having your wrist stamped at the gate.
When to visit? The climate near Royan
| Month | Max temp | Min temp | Rain | Rainy days ≥ 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9.7 °C (49 °F) | 3.7 °C (39 °F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 12.9 |
| February | 11.1 °C (52 °F) | 3.5 °C (38 °F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 10.4 |
| March | 14.3 °C (58 °F) | 5.4 °C (42 °F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 10.2 |
| April | 16.8 °C (62 °F) | 7.3 °C (45 °F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 10.4 |
| May | 20.4 °C (69 °F) | 10.8 °C (51 °F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 9.0 |
| June | 23.6 °C (74 °F) | 13.8 °C (57 °F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 7.3 |
| July | 25.4 °C (78 °F) | 15.4 °C (60 °F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 6.9 |
| August | 25.7 °C (78 °F) | 15.2 °C (59 °F) | 50 mm (2.0 in) | 6.9 |
| September | 23.1 °C (74 °F) | 12.6 °C (55 °F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 8.3 |
| October | 18.8 °C (66 °F) | 10.5 °C (51 °F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 11.1 |
| November | 13.6 °C (56 °F) | 6.8 °C (44 °F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 13.4 |
| December | 10.4 °C (51 °F) | 4.3 °C (40 °F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 13.6 |
How to read it: from June to August, fewer than 7.5 rainy days a month and highs of 24 to 26 °C (75 to 79 °F); it is also peak season on the Royan coast. May and September are mild (20 to 23 °C / 68 to 73 °F) and drier than winter. From November to January, expect 13 rainy days a month and a 6 pm closing. The zoo states that the mild climate lets most animals go outside all year; only the primates may stay in their heated indoor spaces in winter, and the elephants may not be visible in very cold weather.
How do you get to La Palmyre Zoo?
- Car: A10 from Paris, exit 35 « Saintes »; from Bordeaux, exit 37 « Mirambeau »; then follow signs for Royan and « Zoo de La Palmyre ».
- Parking: P1 (1,000 spaces) and P2 (450 spaces), free; motorhomes and buses at P2; overnight parking not allowed.
- Train: Royan station, then bus: several Cara’Bus lines link the station to the zoo.
- Bicycle: cycle paths of the Royan area, bike parking at P1.
- From the Médoc: ferry from Le Verdon-sur-Mer to Royan.
Accessibility
The zoo says it is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, but the dune terrain includes significant slopes: people in non-electric wheelchairs need a companion, and the zoo strongly recommends electric wheelchairs. It does not rent wheelchairs but lists rental companies in Royan and La Palmyre. Reserved spaces are in car park P1, near the entrance. No stroller rental; a baby-changing station and a microwave are available.
Common mistakes
- Bringing your dog: it is refused, even on a leash; the zoo lists a kennel in Médis.
- Arriving after 4 pm in winter or 5 pm in summer: that is last entry.
- Visiting on a scooter, roller skates or bike: wheeled devices are not allowed.
- Flying a drone: forbidden throughout the zoo.
- Picnicking at the tables of the food outlets: not allowed.
Frequently asked questions
What are La Palmyre Zoo’s opening hours?
Open every day, public holidays included: 9 am – 7 pm from April 1 to September 30, 9 am – 6 pm from October 1 to March 31. Last entry 2 hours before closing.
How much does it cost to get into La Palmyre Zoo?
€22 for an adult and €17 for a child aged 3 to 12; free under 3. Tickets have no validity date.
How long does it take to visit La Palmyre Zoo?
About 4 hours according to the zoo, for a 4.2 km (2.6 mi) route.
Can you picnic at La Palmyre Zoo?
Yes, on the benches along the route and in the sea lion and parrot stands outside shows, but not at the tables of the food outlets.
Are dogs allowed at La Palmyre Zoo?
No, even on a leash. The zoo names the « Les Amis des Bêtes » kennel in Médis for day care.
Is La Palmyre Zoo open in winter?
Yes, all year, from 9 am to 6 pm from October to March; most animals remain visible outdoors thanks to the mild climate.
Our sources
- La Palmyre Zoo (zoo-palmyre.fr): home page, opening hours and prices, practical information, FAQ, getting to the zoo, consulted on 23 October 2026
- Météo-France: climate sheet, 1991–2020 statistics, Royan-Médis station (17306004, 12 m), donneespubliques.meteofrance.fr
- Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm, applied by Destination de Voyage to the coordinates in the Wikipedia article « Zoo de La Palmyre » (15th of each month, year 2027)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026. Prices and hours may change: check the official website before you go.