Thoiry African Reserve

1968-1998 : Thoiry's 30th Anniversary Celebration!

365 days of fun and surprise events!

To celebrate the 30 years of the African Reserve, Thoiry's 1000 exotic free-roaming animals welcome visitors to a year long fireworks of unique attractions and events

NEW! : Thoiry's engagement in the conservation of endangered species is reinforced by "the first time in France presentation" of several rare reptile species and a European river biotope of otters, frogs, salamanders and fish. Kids "interactivate" along the new educational play circuit through the Zoological Gardens. With 'The Talking Trees' english audio guide and train tours in the botanical and zoological gardens, and Giant Spiderweb Playground, Thoiry offers hours of pleasure to all ages.

The 300 acre gardens are graced by formal parterres by Le Nôtre and Desgot, a bluebell wood by Varé with gigantic rhododendrons , magnolias, prunus, an Autumn Garden, Flowering Meadow, roses, peony border, a labyrinth, and hortensias. Over 10000 flowering trees and shrubs enchant the Botanical Gardens with many new garden creations every year.

The Chateau de Thoiry is a unique listed monument of esoteric Renaissance architecture built in 1559 by the great architect, Philibert de L'Orme. Conceived to be a transparent bridge of light, the sun rises or sets in the Castle's central arch at the summer and winter solstices.

Family seat of the Counts of La Panouse for 440 years, Thoiry has fine furniture, tapestries, portraits, and 950 years of family, national, and international archives. The Castle's portraits, magically sonorized, reveal ancestors' secret joys and sorrows.