Located in the attractive town of Saint-Pourçain-sur-Besbre, in the heart of the Allier department (Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region), where it was inaugurated almost fifty years ago, Le PAL is a one-of-a-kind, combining elements of an amusement and wildlife park.
A wildlife park...
No less than 700 animals, representing nearly 100 different species, live here together in semi-freedom on some 35 hectares of land (out of a total surface area of 50 hectares). You’re sure to find one of your family’s favourite animals among them, with birds of prey, penguins, parrots, zebras, monkeys, hippos, alligators, majestic felines and more.
The zoo is also welcoming some new arrivals: a pack of wolves, made up of three males and four females. This rich fauna will amaze kids and, to be honest, the grown-ups too!
And an amusement park!
This is a fully fledged zoo and an amusement park. It features 30 attractions in total. To name but a few, there is this season's new attraction ‘Les Ailes du Yukon’ and its hang-gliders, as well as various roller coasters (such as "Yukon Quad", "Twist", "Azteka" and "Le Tigre de Sibérie"). Not to forget a handful of great water attractions.
If you are not a thrill-seeker (or under 1.20 metres in height), there is also a selection of much more calm and laid-back things to do. There is something here for everybody to enjoy.
Practical informations
Good plan: Admission to the PAL is cheaper if you buy your ticket online and at least one week before! For more information, visit the PAL website.
Catering: At lunchtime, visitors can choose from several catering options in the park's 7 restaurants.
Accommodation: If you don't have time to do everything, the PAL rents out African-style lodges for overnight stays. 24 of these lodges are set in the savannah and 7 are on stilts just a stone's throw from the hippo lake. The lodges have been designed and decorated in the pure tradition of the camps of the great African reserves.