With school-age children, you will probably visit Beauval during the school holidays. The good news: UK and French holidays do not always overlap, and some UK half-terms fall at quiet times at the ZooParc. Here are the 2026-2027 dates side by side, and how to pick the best week.
Book hotel and tickets together
In the holidays, the Beauval hotels fill up fast: a package combines the night, breakfast and entry.
Contents
✅ The short answer
- Quietest UK holidays: the May half-term and the first week of the Easter holidays, when French children are at school
- Busiest UK holidays: the October half-term (French autumn holidays at the same time) and the summer holidays
- Scotland: the mid-October break comes just before the French holidays, and the summer holidays start a week before the French ones
Crowds at Beauval depend above all on French school holidays: most visitors are French families.
📅 UK and French holidays side by side, 2026-2027
| Holiday | England (most councils) | Scotland (most councils) | France |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | 26 - 30 Oct 2026 | 12 - 16 Oct 2026 | 17 Oct - 2 Nov 2026 (all of France) |
| Christmas | 21 Dec 2026 - 1 Jan 2027 | 23 Dec 2026 - 5 Jan 2027 | 19 Dec 2026 - 4 Jan 2027 (all of France) |
| February | 15 - 19 Feb 2027 | 15 - 16 Feb 2027 | 6 Feb - 8 Mar 2027, staggered by zone |
| Easter / spring | 29 Mar - 9 Apr 2027 | 5 - 16 Apr 2027 (+ Easter weekend) | 3 Apr - 3 May 2027, staggered by zone |
| May half-term | 31 May - 4 Jun 2027 | - | None (but bank holiday weekends in May) |
| Summer | from 23 Jul 2027 | from 25 Jun 2027 | from 3 Jul 2027 |
UK dates: the most common pattern for 2026-27, checked on 8 October 2026. They vary by local authority and school: always check yours. French dates: the official French school calendar. In France, the country is split into three zones (A, B and C) for the February and spring holidays.
⭐ The best UK holiday weeks for Beauval
May half-term (31 May - 4 June 2027)
Our pick. No French school holidays, long days, and in 2026 both Les Roches Vives and the shows were running at that time of year. Avoid the French bank holiday weekends earlier in May (Ascension on Thursday 6 May, Whit Monday on 17 May 2027).
The first week of the Easter holidays (29 March - 2 April 2027)
No French zone is on holiday yet: the first French zone starts on 3 April. Easter Monday (29 March) is a French bank holiday, so expect more visitors that day. The shows usually start in late March (21 March in 2026; 2027 dates not yet announced).
Scottish October break (12 - 16 October 2026)
A quiet week, just before the French autumn holidays. Note that MonstroZoo only starts on 17 October.
The busiest periods
| Period | Estimated crowds | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| July-August | Very high | Arrive at opening time, tickets bought in advance |
| French bank holiday weekends in May | Very high | Arrive early or shift by a day |
| French spring holidays (April) | High | Aim for days when only one French zone is off |
| October half-term (French autumn holidays) | High | Go on weekdays |
| Christmas | Medium to high | Short days: arrive at 9am |
| February | Medium | French zones staggered, a good alternative |
The ZooParc does not publish crowd forecasts: this table is our estimate. The good news: there is no maximum capacity, and the 46 hectares absorb the crowds well.
5 tips for the school holidays
1. Buy dated tickets online
The dated ticket costs €39 per adult and €32 per child in 2026, against €43 and €36 at the gate. It must be bought by the day before at the latest, and you skip the ticket office.
Dated tickets online
€4 less per person than at the gate.
2. Arrive at 9am
At opening time, the paths are calm and the animals more active. It is also the time to see the giant pandas and the wombats in peace.
3. Avoid Saturday
Saturday is the busiest day, Sunday a little less. Weekdays are much calmer.
4. Plan your route the day before
Choose your family's priorities and build the day around them: our suggested itinerary.
5. Go out for a picnic
Picnics are not allowed in the park, but a re-entry stamp lets you come back during the day. A covered area for 300 people is near the main entrance. See picnics at ZooParc de Beauval.
☀️ July and August: what to know
- The car parks fill up fast in the morning: be there for 9am
- The ZooParc advises eating before 12.30pm or after 2pm on busy days
- The heat slows the animals down: mornings and evenings are the best times
- Les Roches Vives (water play, April to late September) cools the children down: bring a change of clothes
- The park closes at around 9pm in summer: enjoy the quieter end of the day
- Scottish families: the last week of June and the first days of July come before the French summer holidays
To choose your date: when to visit Beauval.
Book your accommodation early
In the school holidays, the Beauval hotels and the accommodation around Saint-Aignan fill up fast. Book your stay at the same time as your crossing, or even before.
Beauval packages combine the night, breakfast and ZooParc entry. To choose: our comparison of the 8 Beauval hotels, or alternatives with gîtes and nearby campsites.
Beauval hotels and packages
Les Jardins and Les Pagodes are a 5 and 7-minute walk from the ZooParc.
Find out more: where to stay | holiday packages | one day or two? | our tips
UK term dates checked on 8 October 2026 (most common pattern, varies by local authority). French dates: official French school calendar.