Amiens Zoo

Zoo in Amiens

Zoo Amiens
Zoo Amiens
CC BY-SA 4.0 / BB 22385

Amiens Zoo is a compact zoological park in Amiens, set beside Parc de la Hotoie and close to the city centre. Spread across 7 hectares of greenery and water, it houses nearly 700 animals in landscaped spaces that are easy to explore on foot.

The zoo matters most as a family-friendly conservation and education site rather than a large destination zoo. Visitors notice the shade, the short walking distances, the animal talks and the calm park setting, making it best for families with children, relaxed couples and travelers who want an outdoor break between Amiens’ bigger cultural sights.

History and Significance

From city animal park to modern zoo

Amiens Zoo opened in 1952 as a municipal animal park for education and leisure. Its setting beside Parc de la Hotoie gives it a different feel from many urban zoos, with water, trees and open paths shaping the visit as much as the animal enclosures.

The site covers about 7 hectares and is often described as heir to an older botanical-garden tradition. That background still matters today, because the planting and shaded routes are a major part of how visitors experience the zoo.

Conservation and education

The zoo now works as a scientific, cultural and educational institution for Amiens and the Hauts-de-France region. Its role includes public awareness, conservation of threatened species and support for scientific knowledge.

Recent improvements have focused on animal welfare, visitor circulation and a more natural-looking environment. The result is not a huge safari-style park, but a manageable city zoo with a stronger conservation purpose than its size suggests.

Things to See and Do

The main reason to visit is the animal circuit, which moves through green areas with species from several continents. I would allow time for the sea lion area, red pandas, birds, primates and smaller animal zones rather than rushing straight through the paths.

The secondary pleasure is the setting itself: shaded walks, water edges and the sense of being inside a city park rather than a hard-surfaced attraction. Families often do best by following the posted activity times, then pausing for a snack or rest before looping back to favorite enclosures.

Casual visitors can see the main areas in a short visit, but the zoo rewards a slower pace if children want to watch feedings or return to the contact-style animal areas. Most explanations and talks are likely to be in French, so non-French speakers should treat them as visual experiences unless they are comfortable following the language.

How to Get to the Amiens Zoo

Amiens has no major commercial airport; Paris Beauvais and Paris Charles de Gaulle are the practical arrival airports, with onward travel by road or rail. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Amiens on Booking.com.

Regional trains run to Amiens station, including services from Paris Gare du Nord, and the zoo is about 30 minutes on foot from the main station or 10 minutes from Saint-Roch station. You can use SNCF Connect to check schedules, compare routes, and purchase tickets for National (SNCF ) and regional trains (TER). For a more streamlined experience, we recommend using Omio, which allows you to easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for both National and Regional travel across all of Europe, all in one place.

By car, leave the A16 at Amiens Ouest or Amiens Centre and follow signs for Parc Zoologique, with free parking areas around Parc de la Hotoie and near the entrance. If you are looking to rent a car in France I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Where to Stay Close

For most visitors, the best base is the cathedral and Saint-Leu area if the zoo is one part of a wider Amiens city break, while the station area works better for short stays built around train connections.

Hotel Mercure Amiens Cathedrale suits travelers who want to stay near the cathedral, restaurants and the old centre, with the zoo reachable by a longer walk, bus or short taxi ride. Hotel Le Prieure is another central option for visitors prioritizing the historic core and easy evening walks.

If you prefer simple transport logistics over character, ibis budget Amiens Centre Gare places you close to Amiens station and public transport. It is less atmospheric than staying beside the cathedral, but it works well for budget-focused trips, early trains or a one-night stop.

Is the Amiens Zoo Worth Visiting?

Amiens Zoo is worth a short stop if you are traveling with children, enjoy small city zoos or want an outdoor break that does not take over the whole day. It is less essential if you have only a few hours in Amiens and your priority is architecture, museums or the riverside quarters, and it may feel modest to visitors expecting a large regional wildlife park.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.2 (8,096)

Zoo Amiens Métropole at 1 Rue Fbg de Hem is a compact, park-like zoo showcasing plants and animals from five continents; visitors praise its lush landscaping, shaded paths, rivers, and varied habitats that make enclosures feel natural, with a good mix of species from big cats to penguins, opportunities for animal encounters and a contact area for kids, a café on site and nearby dining at Le Pavillon Bleu, free pushchairs for little ones, fair pricing and a calm, family-friendly atmosphere well suited to a 2–3 hour visit.

Pieter M
2 months ago
"Visited Zoo Amiens Métropole with my wife and two young kids — we had a fantastic afternoon! The landscaping is beautiful, full of trees andgreenery, and it rarely feels like the animals are in enclosures at all. Everything was clean, well-maintained, and thoughtfully laid out. There’s a great variety of animals, from big cats to penguins and exotic birds, and the zoo’s compact size makes it perfect for young children — easy to walk around, plenty of shade and rest spots, and even a small contact area where kids can get closer to animals. Ticket prices are very fair for the experience, and the overall atmosphere is calm and family-friendly. A wonderful little zoo that’s perfect for a relaxed family outing in Amiens!..."
Tyler Lubben
a year ago
"Awesome zoo experience! Tons of greenery and wide assortment of animals! Several shows are performed throughout the day. Price was affordable and agreat value. Enjoyed our time here and would recommend to others. For more travel content, check out Adventure on a Dime on YouTube...."
V&V W
2 years ago
"I read reviews to say it’s beyond expectation but it still amazed me when we visited. The zoo is built like a big park surrenders by a lot of greensand has very nature like setup and the animals looked very free and comfortable. It’s selection of animals is also very nice, we see some species rarer than London zoo. There are also animal encounter activities throughout the day (though not during lunch time). We saw the seal encounter and the host had been explaining things (although all in French) during the whole 20 minutes of show. They also have a contact zone where you could touch goats and see rabbits very closely. We spent a little over 2 hours in the zoo. There’s a cafe in the zoo to serve food like sandwiches or you could book to eat French dishes in le Pavillon Bleu right outside of the park. The zoo also provides free pushchairs for little ones and the ticket are really very reasonable to my opinion..."
Kyle
3 months ago
"An exceptionally pleasant zoo. While not huge, the zoo uses its space very well and offers a wide variety of animals and landscapes. The treesprovide a lot of shade and the rivers crossing the zoo provide a sense that you’re in nature. Pound for pound, one of the best zoos I’ve ever been in...."
Bas Geerdink
3 years ago
"Nice small zoo with friendly prices. Good for 2-3 hours. Major upgrades are pla ed in the next years, which will improve the zoo and add moreinteresting animals...."

Practical Tips on Visiting the Amiens Zoo

  • Best time to visit: Spring to early autumn gives the most comfortable outdoor conditions and longer seasonal hours. Summer has the longest opening window, while the zoo normally closes for a winter break from mid-November to the end of January.
  • How long to spend: Allow around 2 to 4 hours depending on children, talks and breaks. A fast adult visit can be shorter, but families often need extra time for repeat stops.
  • Accessibility: The zoo is designed for visitors with reduced mobility, and accessible parking is available near the entrance area. Expect outdoor paths, so weather and surface conditions can still affect comfort.
  • Facilities: Facilities include restrooms, food and drink options, rest areas and places to pause during the route. Check seasonal opening for catering before relying on a full meal inside.

FAQs for Visiting the Amiens Zoo

Getting There

Amiens Zoo sits by Parc de la Hotoie, west of the historic centre, with its visitor access around the Esplanade de la Hotoie and Rue du Faubourg de Hem area.
Walk west from the cathedral and central streets toward Parc de la Hotoie, then follow signs for the zoo entrance. The walk is usually around 20 minutes from the centre, depending on your starting point.
From the main Amiens station, walking takes roughly 30 minutes. Saint-Roch station is closer, around 10 minutes on foot across or beside Parc de la Hotoie.
There are free parking areas around Parc de la Hotoie and near the zoo approach. Driving is useful for families or visitors staying outside the centre, but central visitors can often walk or use the bus instead.

Tickets & Entry

The surrounding park area can be visited without a zoo ticket, but the animal areas and internal visitor circuit require paid entry.
A standard ticket covers entry to the zoo route and animal areas during public opening hours. Scheduled talks or encounters may be included when running, but timings vary by day and season.
Advance booking is sensible during school holidays, weekends and special events. On quieter weekdays, many visitors treat it as a same-day decision.
The zoo normally opens daily from February to mid-November, with shorter hours in the cooler months and longer hours in July and August. It usually closes from mid-November through January.

Visiting Experience

If you are short on time, plan about 90 minutes to see the main route without many pauses. A more comfortable visit is closer to half a day.
It depends on your trip style. Choose it if you are with children or want an outdoor animal-focused stop; skip it if your one day is mainly for the cathedral, Saint-Leu and the Hortillonnages.
Combine it with a walk through Parc de la Hotoie and, if time allows, continue back toward the river and the historic centre. This keeps the day relaxed and avoids too much cross-town travel.
It is mostly an outdoor attraction, so light rain is manageable with the right clothing but heavy rain reduces the appeal. For families, a dry day is clearly better.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Most general walking tours focus on the cathedral, Saint-Leu, the riverfront and historic streets rather than the zoo. Treat the zoo as a separate visit.
Most visitors can explore independently without difficulty. A guided or educational visit makes more sense for school groups, families wanting more context or visitors with a special interest in animal care.

Photography

Yes, especially for casual wildlife and family photography. The green setting, shaded paths and water features give more natural backgrounds than many compact zoos.
Morning and late afternoon usually give softer light and more comfortable conditions. Midday can be harsher in open areas, especially in summer.
Personal photography is generally fine, but avoid flash where signs prohibit it and respect barriers around enclosures. Commercial photography or filming may require permission.

Accessibility & Facilities

The zoo is laid out to be accessible for visitors with reduced mobility, with adapted parking available nearby. Because it is an outdoor site, check conditions if rain, heat or long standing periods are a concern.
Yes, the zoo has visitor facilities including restrooms and places to take a break. Food service can be seasonal, so check before planning the visit around lunch.
Yes, it is particularly suitable for families because the route is compact and the setting has shade and rest points. Strollers are practical on most of the visitor route.

Food & Breaks Nearby

Start with the zoo’s own food options if they are open, then look toward the city centre or Saint-Leu for a wider choice of cafés and casual restaurants. The nearby park area also works for a simple pause in good weather.

Safety & Timing

The area around Parc de la Hotoie is generally used for leisure, but the zoo itself is a daytime attraction with seasonal closing times. After dark, use normal city precautions and head back toward well-lit central streets or transport stops.

The Amiens Zoo appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Amiens!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

February – March – October – November: 10am-5pm

April – May – June – September 10am-6pm

July – August 10am-7pm

Price:

Adults €11.5

Address: Zoo d'Amiens Métropole, Rue Faubourg de Hem, Amiens, France
Amiens: 2 km
Official Website

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