Château of Thoiry, Renaissance castle and zoological park in Thoiry, France
Château de Thoiry is a Renaissance castle with a zoological park spread across about 150 hectares, combining both attractions in one location. The main building features architectural details based on mathematical proportions, while the park area houses animals from Africa and other parts of the world.
The castle was built in 1559 and remained a private residence of the La Panouse family before becoming open to the public in 1965. The family then gradually transformed the land into a wildlife park, giving the original building a secondary purpose alongside its historical role.
The castle reveals how French nobility lived over centuries, with rooms that tell the story of daily life and family traditions across generations. Visitors can walk through spaces that show the connection between architecture and the people who inhabited them.
The site is best visited in good weather, as both the castle and the wildlife park are fully accessible under clear conditions. Visitors should allow time for both areas and wear sturdy shoes, as much of the ground is explored on foot.
The castle was designed following special geometric principles that incorporated the sun and mathematical ratios, making the building architecturally distinctive. These design features are sometimes difficult to notice while walking through the rooms, but they shape the entire layout of the property.
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