Zoo de Lille
A charming, compact zoo in Lille, perfect for families, featuring diverse birds, mammals, and reptiles in a green setting.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, calmer animals
Zoo de Lille
Best Time
Fewer crowds, calmer animals
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A charming, compact zoo in Lille, perfect for families, featuring diverse birds, mammals, and reptiles in a green setting.
"A lovely, compact, well-kept zoo, ideal for families with small children and suitably priced."
🎯 Affordable Entry Fees
Tickets are budget-friendly: €6 for adults, ~€3 for kids (5-17). Free for under 5s.
👟 Comfortable Shoes Recommended
The zoo is compact but you'll be walking. Wear comfy shoes for exploring the paths.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Voyage Exotique
New space at the zoo
Explore the zoo's newest immersive space, designed for a more engaging visitor experience with exotic animals.
Aviary Walk-Through
Tropical bird enclosure
Wander amongst tropical birds in a spacious aviary, a unique experience where you might even get a surprise from above!
Insect Collection
Temporary exhibit
See the fascinating insect collection from the Natural History Museum, temporarily housed at the zoo.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing Your Visit for Fewer Crowds
Budget-Friendly Family Fun
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Affordable Entry Fees
Tickets are budget-friendly: €6 for adults, ~€3 for kids (5-17). Free for under 5s.
👟 Comfortable Shoes Recommended
The zoo is compact but you'll be walking. Wear comfy shoes for exploring the paths.
📸 Great for Photos
Lots of greenery and clear paths make for beautiful animal photos.
⏳ Short Visit Duration
Allow 1-1.5 hours for a full walk-through; it's not a full-day attraction.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Affordable Entry Fees
Tickets are budget-friendly: €6 for adults, ~€3 for kids (5-17). Free for under 5s.
👟 Comfortable Shoes Recommended
The zoo is compact but you'll be walking. Wear comfy shoes for exploring the paths.
📸 Great for Photos
Lots of greenery and clear paths make for beautiful animal photos.
⏳ Short Visit Duration
Allow 1-1.5 hours for a full walk-through; it's not a full-day attraction.
♿ Accessible for All
A lift is available for disabled visitors to access areas with steps.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Zoo de Lille is a charming, well-maintained, and affordable attraction, particularly ideal for families with young children. Visitors appreciate its compact size, pleasant atmosphere, and variety of smaller animals, though it lacks larger species. While some areas are under renovation, the overall experience is positive and offers good value for money.
"A lovely, compact, well-kept zoo, ideal for families with small children.
Suitably priced (as at 2025 it is €6 for adult and about €3 for children) as it is took about an hour and a half go through with a short stop for lunch.
There are no large animals like elephants, rhinos, hippos, zebra etc. but a nice selection of smaller ones which were great to see - playful meerkats, sleepy warthogs and tapirs, porcupine, tortoise, an array of birds, red panda.
The zoo was well-maintained, not an overload of signage, small amounts of information (name of the animal in English) and lots of clear spacious paths, a huge amount of greenery so it felt more like you were visiting animals in their natural habitats. Throughout the zoo they featured large glossy photos of their animals.
No wait to enter in summer holidays. Free toilet access inside the zoo. Small lunch option (toasties and crepes, ice creams etc). A lift available for disabled visitors to access areas with steps.
Good links via bus if preferring that to a walk from the heart of Lille.
Outside the zoo there is a large play area and mini theme park so worth visiting this area with young ones!"
Mama SJ
"Fabulous small zoo with many birds and small mammals. Lots of space in the enclosures. Takes about 1 hour to walk round. Can wander amongst tropical birds so watch out for their deposits from above 🤭"
Jenny Cordell
"A small, family-friendly zoo ideal for young children, located within a large park that offers additional activities and is just a short walk from the city center.
The zoo features a diverse range of animals, making it an engaging and enjoyable visit. However, it does not include larger or more exotic species like bears, penguins, or tigers.
A slow paced walk through the entire zoo takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, due to its compact size. Admission is very affordable, with adult tickets priced at around 6 EUR.
Overall, it's a pleasant and budget-friendly experience—great for spending an hour or two with kids."
Emil Andersen
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Zoo de Lille is located at All. Arlette Gruss, 59000 Lille. It's accessible by bus from the city center, or it's a pleasant walk from the heart of Lille.
While specific parking details aren't widely publicized, the zoo is located within a larger park area, suggesting potential parking availability nearby. It's also easily reachable by public transport.
Yes, the zoo is just a short walk from the heart of Lille, making it easily accessible on foot for those who enjoy a stroll.
The zoo is situated next to the Citadelle of Lille and the Citaparc, offering additional activities and a large play area for families. +1
Yes, Zoo de Lille is a great option for a day trip, especially when combined with exploring the Citadelle and the charming old town of Lille.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Ticket prices are very affordable. As of 2025, adult tickets are around €6, and children aged 5-17 are about €3. Children under 5 enter for free.
Advance booking is generally not required for Zoo de Lille, and there were no queues reported during summer holidays. However, it's always a good idea to check their official website for any updates.
Opening hours vary by season. In low season, it's typically 10 AM to 5 PM, and in high season, it extends to 7 PM. It's closed on Tuesdays.
Yes, there is a small entrance fee, making it a very budget-friendly attraction. Adult tickets are around €6 and children's tickets are around €3.
Children under 5 get in for free, and there are reduced prices for children aged 5-17.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The zoo features a variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles, including playful meerkats, warthogs, tapirs, porcupines, tortoises, and a red panda. It does not house large animals like elephants or rhinos.
A slow-paced walk through the zoo typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours due to its compact size. Some visitors have spent up to 3 hours exploring. +1
Yes, it's considered ideal for families with small children due to its manageable size and engaging animal selection.
Yes, parts of the zoo have been under renovation, with some work expected to continue until February 2025. Despite this, visitors can still enjoy a significant portion of the zoo.
Yes, you can wander amongst some tropical birds in a large aviary, so be mindful of your surroundings!
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there is a small lunch option available at the zoo, offering items like toasties, crepes, and ice creams.
While not explicitly stated, it's common for zoos to allow visitors to bring their own snacks and drinks. Picnicking in the surrounding park area is also an option.
There's a small food service area offering snacks and light refreshments, rather than a full-service restaurant.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, the zoo's design with ample greenery and clear paths, along with large glossy photos of animals, provides good opportunities for photography.
The aviary and enclosures with playful animals like meerkats are often popular for capturing memorable shots.
Generally, personal photography is allowed. However, it's always wise to be respectful of the animals and other visitors, and avoid using flash photography directly at animals.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Combine your zoo visit with the nearby Citadelle and its large play area for a full day of family fun. The zoo also offers practical amenities like free toilets and a small snack bar, making the experience smoother for parents.
🚶 Budget Travelers
The zoo offers a good return on investment for its price, providing a few hours of enjoyable exploration without a significant financial outlay. It's a great way to experience a local attraction and see a variety of animals without spending a lot of money.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Look for moments with the playful meerkats, the colorful birds in the aviary, or the unique textures of animals like porcupines. The well-maintained paths and ample space around enclosures allow for comfortable framing of your subjects.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Zoo's Role in Conservation and Education
Recent developments, like the 'Voyage Exotique' space, indicate an effort to create more immersive and educational environments for visitors. These updates aim to enhance the visitor experience while potentially supporting conservation efforts through awareness and engagement.
Despite its size, the zoo's focus on providing information and creating themed areas helps visitors learn about different animals and their habitats. This educational aspect is crucial for inspiring future generations to care about wildlife conservation.
Navigating Zoo de Lille with Families
Beyond the animal enclosures, the zoo's location within a larger park offers additional benefits. Adjacent to the Citadelle and Citaparc, families can easily extend their day with a visit to the playground or explore the historic Citadelle. This makes it a versatile destination for a family day out in Lille.
Practical considerations like free toilet access and a small food service area add to the family-friendly nature of the zoo. The presence of a lift also ensures that visitors with strollers or mobility challenges can navigate the grounds comfortably.
Understanding the Zoo's Renovation and Future
The renovations are part of an ongoing effort to improve the facilities and enhance the visitor and animal experience. This includes the development of new spaces like 'Voyage Exotique,' signaling a commitment to modernizing and enriching the zoo's offerings.
Despite the ongoing work, the zoo continues to be a beloved local attraction, offering a pleasant and educational experience. The community's support, as seen in social media posts and reviews, highlights its value as a green space and a place for families to connect with nature.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit