Montpellier Zoological Park

Montpellier, France, France

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Montpellier Zoological Park, also known as the Parc Zoologique de Lunaret, is a large city‑owned zoo sitting just north of Montpellier in the Occitanie region of southern France, set within the broader Lunaret park and the Lez nature reserve.

Covering about 80 hectares, it functions like a safari‑style park where most animals roam in open enclosures rather than small cages, and it houses roughly 1,000 animals representing around 140 different species, including many from Africa, Asia, and South America such as lions, zebras, giraffes, and a wide variety of birds and reptiles.

The zoo is free to enter, open most days of the week, and is recognised as one of the most‑visited and expansive zoos in the country, while also focusing on animal‑welfare‑oriented habitats and conservation of endangered species.

In addition to the outdoor savanna‑like enclosures, the park includes a large Amazonian greenhouse that recreates a humid rainforest climate with piranhas, alligators, and tropical plants, adding to its appeal as both a family‑friendly destination and an educational wildlife centre.