Paléopolis, Theme park in Gannat, France
Paléopolis is a theme park in Gannat, in the Allier region of France near Vichy, dedicated to the history of life on Earth over billions of years. It brings together a fossil museum, life-sized outdoor dinosaur sculptures, a 3D cinema called Paléo Cinéma, and themed areas such as T. REX MANIA and the Valley of the Dinosaurs.
Paléopolis was built around the idea of making paleontology accessible to a wide public, with a focus on 4 billion years of life on Earth. The park grew over time by adding new areas and activities, always keeping science and learning at its core.
Paléopolis draws families with children through hands-on workshops designed for ages 3 to 15, giving young visitors a first contact with paleontology. An escape game based on famous fossils, including puzzles linked to the work of scientist Yves Coppens on Australopithecus, adds a playful layer to the visit.
A visit generally takes between 2 and 4 hours depending on how much time you spend in each area. The park has picnic areas on site, so you can take a break without leaving the grounds.
At certain times of year, such as Easter, the park organizes a dinosaur egg hunt where families search for hidden eggs across the whole site. Children can also take part in a dinosaur-themed birthday package and spend the day as junior paleontologists.
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