The African Reserve of Thoiry (created in 1968) and its 1,000 exotic free-roaming animals welcome visitors to a year long firework of unique attractions and events. Thoiry's involvment in the protection of endangered species is reinforced by "the first time in France presentation" of several rare reptile species and a European river biotope of otters, frogs, salamanders and fish. Kids "interactivate" along the new educational play circuit through the Zoological Gardens. With 'The Talking Trees' english audio guide and train tours in the botanical and zoological gardens, and Giant Spiderweb Playground, Thoiry offers hours of pleasure to all ages.
The 300 acre gardens are graced by formal parterres by Le Nôtre and Desgot, a bluebell wood by Varé with gigantic rhododendrons, magnolias, prunus, an Autumn Garden, Flowering Meadow, roses, peony border, a labyrinth, and hortensias. Over 10000 flowering trees and shrubs enchant the Botanical Gardens with many new garden creations every year.
The castle
The Chateau de Thoiry is a unique listed monument of esoteric Renaissance architecture built in 1559 by the great architect, Philibert de L'Orme. Conceived to be a transparent bridge of light, the sun rises or sets in the Castle's central arch at the summer and winter solstices.
Family property of the Counts of La Panouse for 440 years, Thoiry has fine furniture, tapestries, portraits, and 950 years of family, national, and international archives. The Castle's portraits, magically sonorized, reveal ancestors' secret joys and sorrows.
Practical Information
How to get there ?
By Road: 40 km west of Paris: Pont St Cloud, A13-A12, N12 to Pontchartrain, then D11 to Thoiry.
By Rail: SNCF Trains from Paris-Montparnasse station to Montfort l'Amaury (8 km to Thoiry)
Opening
from 10 am to 6.30 pm
Castle : individual from Easter to November 11 & groups year round by reservation. |
