Le Pal, Animal theme park in Saint-Pourçain-sur-Besbre, France.
Le Pal combines rides with a zoo that houses over 600 animals in spacious enclosures in Saint-Pourçain-sur-Besbre. The grounds cover several hectares with lakes, green spaces, and themed sections that each represent different geographic regions.
The site began in 1973 as a small zoo with a train and playground. Founder André Charbonnier expanded it in 1981 into a full theme park with rides and larger animal enclosures.
The name comes from the Occitan word for stake and refers to an old wooden marker that once stood at this location. Visitors today can observe animals from several continents in different themed areas and move from one habitat to another along winding paths.
The park offers several ticket options, from single-day passes to annual memberships, with free entry for children under one meter (about three feet) tall and reduced rates for advance purchases. The different areas can be explored on foot, and there is ample shade and rest areas scattered along the paths.
Visitors can stay in safari-style lodges that offer direct views of African animals such as zebras and springboks grazing in their enclosures. The Le Pal Nature Foundation has supported international biodiversity preservation projects and conducted educational programs about wildlife conservation since 2008.
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