Driving from the UK to ZooParc de Beauval is very doable: a Channel crossing, then 3h45 to 5h45 on French roads depending on your port. Which crossing to choose, how long it takes, what you need in the car, and how to split the journey with children: here is our guide.
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Room, breakfast and ZooParc entry: just add your crossing.
Contents
Which crossing to choose? ⛴️
| Crossing | Duration | Port to Beauval | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eurotunnel Le Shuttle (Folkestone - Calais) | about 35 min | about 515 km, 5h45 | Speed, families from London and the South East |
| Ferry Dover - Calais | about 1h40 | about 515 km, 5h45 | Frequent sailings, stretching your legs on board |
| Ferry Newhaven - Dieppe | about 4h | about 440 km, 4h45 | Families from Sussex and the South |
| Ferry Portsmouth - Caen | about 6 to 7h (day or overnight) | about 340 km, 3h45 | The shortest drive in France, overnight cabins |
| Ferry Portsmouth - St Malo | about 9 to 11h | about 375 km, 4h15 | Overnight crossing, families from the South West |
Crossing times as listed by Eurotunnel, DFDS and Brittany Ferries for 2026. Road times calculated from each port to the ZooParc on 8 October 2026, without stops or traffic: add breaks and holiday traffic.
The route from each port 🗺️
- From Calais or Dunkirk: the longest drive. Motorways south via Rouen or Paris, then towards Orléans, Vierzon or Tours to reach the A85, exit 12 Saint-Aignan
- From Dieppe: south via Rouen, then towards Le Mans or Chartres and Tours
- From Caen: south via Alençon and Le Mans, then Tours and the A85 towards Vierzon
- From St Malo: via Rennes and Le Mans, then Tours and the A85
Your sat nav will choose between these options depending on traffic. Enter "ZooParc de Beauval, Avenue du Blanc, 41110 Saint-Aignan". Avoid driving through central Paris: it adds time and can require a Crit'Air sticker (see below).
What you need in the car 🦺
- A "UK" identifier: on the number plate or as a sticker. The old "GB" sticker is no longer valid
- Headlamp beam deflectors (or adjusted headlights), so you do not dazzle oncoming drivers
- A warning triangle
- A high-visibility vest for each passenger, kept inside the car (not in the boot)
- Your driving licence, insurance and V5C logbook
- Child seats suited to each child's age and size
Carrying a breathalyser is no longer compulsory but still recommended. Rules can change: check the latest advice from the UK government or a motoring organisation before you leave.
Crit'Air sticker: do you need one? 🏷️
The Crit'Air sticker shows your vehicle's emission level. It is required to drive in the low-emission zones (ZFE) of some large French cities, including Paris.
- The motorway route to Beauval avoids city centres, and Saint-Aignan has no low-emission zone
- If you plan to drive into Paris or another large city on the way, order the sticker online in advance, only from the official French government website
Tolls and speed limits 🛣️
Most French motorways are toll roads ("péage"). You take a ticket on entry and pay on exit, by bank card or cash. The total for the trip depends on your route: use a toll calculator before you leave.
- Motorways: 130 km/h, 110 km/h in the rain
- Other roads: 80 or 90 km/h depending on the road, as signposted
- Towns and villages: 50 km/h, often 30 km/h in centres
Speed cameras are common, and limits are in km/h: switch your sat nav display if needed.
Arrive the evening before
A night near the ZooParc means you are at the gates for 9am.
How to split the journey 👨👩👧
With children, 5 to 6 hours of driving after a crossing makes for a long day. Our advice:
- Morning crossing, arrive in the evening: check in to a hotel near the ZooParc and visit the next day from 9am
- Overnight ferry to Caen or St Malo: you arrive in the morning with less than 4 hours 15 minutes of driving
- A stop on the way: Rouen, Chartres or Le Mans make good halfway breaks
- Late arrival: Le Relais Touraine Sologne has a key box for self check-in; the Les Hameaux reception closes at 6pm
To choose where to stay: our Beauval hotels comparison, or the holiday packages that include your tickets.
On arrival at the ZooParc 🅿️
- Parking is free: 8 car parks, 4,000 spaces
- 150 EV charging spaces (€0.40 per kWh), useful after a long drive in an electric car
- From 16 November 2026 to 5 February 2027, go to the North entrance: the South entrance is closed
- In a motorhome: one free night in the ZooParc's motorhome car park, see our motorhome guide
All the details: ZooParc parking and getting to Beauval.
Tickets sorted before you leave
Dated online ticket from €39 per adult, €32 per child.
Information checked on 8 October 2026. Ferry routes, timetables and French driving rules can change: check with the operators and official sources before you travel.