Beauval or Pairi Daiza? Two of the most famous animal parks in Europe, and both popular with British families. From Calais, Pairi Daiza is a little over 2 hours away, Beauval nearly 6. Here is an honest comparison, with official figures, to help you choose, or do both.
ZooParc de Beauval tickets
From €39 per adult and €32 per child online.
Contents
The two parks in figures 📊
| ZooParc de Beauval | Pairi Daiza | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Saint-Aignan, Loire Valley (France) | Brugelette, Hainaut (Belgium) |
| Area | 46 hectares | 80 hectares |
| Species | 800 | 800 |
| Giant pandas | Yes, the only ones in France | Yes |
| Opening | Every day of the year | Every day (according to the park's website) |
| Adult ticket | from €39 online | see the park's ticketing |
| Accommodation | 7 hotels and 1 residence, outside the park | Accommodation inside the park, including at Edenya |
Figures from the two parks' websites, checked on 7 October 2026.
How far from the UK? 🚗
| From | Beauval | Pairi Daiza |
|---|---|---|
| Calais (ferry or Eurotunnel) | about 515 km, 5h45 | about 185 km, 2h15 |
| Paris | about 230 km | about 260 km |
Road distances and times calculated on 7 and 8 October 2026, without stops or traffic. From the western Channel ports (Caen, St Malo), Beauval is the closer of the two. All the routes to Beauval: driving from the UK.
Beauval's strengths 🐼
- The only giant pandas in France: the twins Huanlili and Yuandudu, born at Beauval in 2021, staying until at least January 2027 (see the Beauval pandas)
- The wombats: Beauval is the only zoo in France with the common wombat, in Les Terres Rouges (see the wombats)
- The 2026 additions: Les Terres Rouges, the Bucolia farm and the Les Roches Vives water play area
- The most visited zoo in France, open every day of the year
- The Loire châteaux nearby to make a proper holiday of it (see things to do near Beauval)
Pairi Daiza's strengths 🌿
- The size: 80 hectares, against 46 at Beauval
- The gardens and architecture: the park is also a botanical garden, with very theatrical worlds
- Edenya: a 4-hectare tropical greenhouse opened in 2026
- Sleeping in the park: accommodation overlooking the animals
- Closeness to Calais and Dunkirk, for a long weekend from the South East
Staying overnight: the comparison 🏨
This is the big difference. At Pairi Daiza, you can sleep inside the park. At Beauval, no accommodation is inside the grounds, for the animals' wellbeing: the hotels are a 5-minute walk to a 10-minute drive away.
At Beauval, the two closest hotels, Les Jardins and Les Pagodes, are within walking distance. The others are in Saint-Aignan and Noyers-sur-Cher. From 6 February 2027, their guests will get a priority queue for the shows and dedicated parking.
Beauval over two days, like Pairi Daiza
Both parks are best enjoyed over two days. Compare the Beauval hotels.
All the details: Beauval hotels compared and can you stay overnight at Beauval?
Our verdict ✅
- A long weekend from London or the South East via Calais: Pairi Daiza is far closer
- A week's holiday in France, or crossing to Caen or St Malo: Beauval, combined with the Loire châteaux
- Wombats and the 2026 additions: Beauval
- Gardens and a night inside the park: Pairi Daiza
Both are well worth the trip. To plan Beauval: one day or two?, our tips and the prices.