The Doué-la-Fontaine zoo began in 1961, as a family story initiated by Louis Gay.

In Doué-la-Fontaine, he discovered a former stone quarry. After clearing the site, he fell in love with the place: open-air quarries, a cathedral-like cave at water level, giant bamboo… An exceptional setting that would become the story of his life and the richness of the park.

In 1972, his son Pierre Gay brought a new vision: committing to nature conservation and raising visitors’ awareness of these issues. He partnered with wildlife protection organisations, creating connections between field actors and zoos, notably through species reintroduction programs.

In 2003, François Gay, the founder’s grandson, joined Pierre as a landscape engineer. His ambition is to share immersive landscapes in three dimensions while preserving the unique troglodyte character of the site.

The Bioparc’s daily mission is to ensure animal welfare and respect for natural behaviours. Birds fly freely, and there is no animal training.

The diversity of landscapes and species offers a unique experience that will delight both children and adults!