The park is open every day
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Paris Day Trip Ideas for Families
News - 16/04/2026
Paris Day Trip Ideas for Families: Feed Penguins, Meet Capybaras & More!
Planning a Paris day trip with kids and looking for an experience beyond the usual museums and monuments? Good news some of the best day trips from Paris for families don't even require leaving the Île-de-France region. Just 40 minutes east of the capital, in the rolling green countryside of Seine-et-Marne, lies a place where children can feed penguins, meet capybaras eye-to-eye, walk through a one-hectare immersive aviary, and even spend the night in a lodge perched above a jaguar enclosure. That place is Parrot World, an immersive wildlife park inspired by the landscapes of South America and a genuinely rare alternative to Paris's bigger, busier attraction!
This guide will walk you through why Parrot World is becoming a favourite day trip from Paris with kids for visiting families from the UK, the US, the Netherlands, Germany and beyond. From rare hands-on encounters with penguins and capybaras to an unusual night in the heart of the zoo, face to face with jaguars and parrots and a surprisingly refined restaurant serving French/South American cuisine, here is everything you need to plan a memorable family outing just!
Why Parrot World is One of the Best Day Trips from Paris for Families
The Best Immersive Zoo Near Paris
When international visitors search for the best day trips from Paris for families, the usual suggestions pop up: Versailles, Tour Eiffel, or Disneyland Paris. These are wonderful, of course but they also tend to be crowded and time-consuming. Parrot World offers something different: a nature-based, immersive family experience that still fits comfortably inside a single day, with the added bonus of being located just 20 minutes from Disneyland Paris in Chessy!
What makes the park stand out is its concept. Unlike a traditional zoo, Parrot World has been designed as a journey through South American landscapes. Visitors wander through reconstructed Amazonian, Patagonian and Pantanal environments, discovering animals that are rarely seen elsewhere in Europe jaguars, giant otters, Humboldt penguins, capybaras, tamarins, and hundreds of free-flying parrots. The scale of the theming, the richness of the planting and the thoughtful layout turn a simple visit into a genuine sense of travel. For children, it feels less like a day at the zoo and more like stepping into a
The giant immersive aviary
a one-of-a-kind experience in France!
One of Parrot World's signature features is its one-hectare immersive aviary a lush, fully walk-through habitat that is currently unique in France. Rather than observing parrots from behind glass, visitors stroll along wooden walkways surrounded by free-flying scarlet macaws, amazons and other South American parrots.
For many families, this is the highlight of the day a sensory experience that genuinely feels like a short trip to South America without leaving the Paris region.
The park's proximity to Paris is one of its strongest arguments. From Porte de Bercy, the drive takes roughly 40 minutes via the A4 motorway. If you're already planning a visit to Parrot World's main zoo page near Paris, you'll see that the park is realy accessible.
Kid-friendly activities near Paris: meet animals
Among the kid-friendly activities near Paris, few compare to the wildlife line-up at Parrot World.
Feeding the Turtles
Enjoy a special experience in a small group with a caretaker. Go behind the scenes, feed the giant tortoises, and discover their secrets from longevity to conservation. A peaceful and immersive experience!
SEE MORE
Feeding the Penguins
Share a unique moment up close with Humboldt penguins. Accompanied by a keeper, help feed them and observe their behavior firsthand. A rare, fun, and enriching behind-the-scenes experience.
SEE MORE
Feeding the capybaras
Step into the shoes of a zookeeper and help with daily care tasks: preparing meals, feeding the animals, and maintaining the facilities. A behind-the-scenes experience that will change the way you see animals!
SEE MORE
Our South American ambassadors, near Paris
Take advantage of your Paris trip to observe our iconic species in habitats that faithfully recreate their natural ecosystems.
Jaguars:
Legendary Predators
Meet our majestic jaguars, the true kings of the Amazon rainforest. Marvel at the power and grace of this great cat. Watching them move between land and water is one of the highlights of the visit.
Giant Otters:
The Acrobats of the Rivers
Meet our giant otters, the true stars of the Amazon. Watch their spectacular agility as they dive, dash about, and play in the water. These social and expressive animals never fail to captivate visitors of all ages.
Capybaras:
the stars of the park
Meet the world’s largest rodents. Capybaras charm people of all ages with their peaceful nature and endearing appearance. Watching them lounge by the water is a delightful experience that no one wants to miss.
Turn Your Paris Trip into a Wild Adventure
Meet capybaras, watch jaguars and walk through a giant aviary all within an hour of Paris. Your tickets are just one click away.
Included in the ticket price!
PLAYGROUND
The park's XXL playground: children imagine themselves at the top of the rainforest.
MINI-FARM
An unforgettable walk alongside dwarf goats, pigs, and alpacas!
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Educational activities are available throughout the day.
Sleeping with animals
What’s included in all lodge stays: dinner at Le Panoramic restaurant, breakfast, lodging, two-day park access, and one special activity of your choice in the park.
Jaguar Lodge
Large floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the jaguar enclosure. Wake up to the sight of one of the world’s most majestic big cats, right behind the glass. (Max. 4 people)
SLEEPING WITH THE JAGUARS
Amazon Lodges
Built on stilts above the river near the large aviary. Parrots, herons, and scarlet ibises come to perch on your balcony at dawn. Inspired by traditional Amazonian villages. (Max. 4 guests)
SLEEPING WITH PARROTS
Pantanal Lodge
Overlooking a water garden where red ibises, parrots, and night herons find refuge. A nod to the vast wetlands of the Pantanal, between Brazil and Paraguay. Ideal for families. (Max. 6 people)
SLEEPING WITH ANIMALS
Le Panoramic restaurant
Where can you eat near Parrot World?
For a truly unforgettable dining experience just 200 metres from Parrot World, make your way to Le Panoramic restaurant!
Le Panoramic serves a French and South American bistronomic fusion, led by Chef José Guerra Madrid. Born in Colombia and trained in a Michelin-starred Parisian kitchen, the chef crafts every dish from fresh, seasonal produce weaving French technique and South American flavours into plates that are as generous as they are refined.
The setting is just as memorable as the food: a warm dining room with a plant ceiling and a cosy fireplace corner, extended by vast panoramic terraces that open onto the golf course. A genuinely rare experience, and the perfect way to round off a family day out near Paris.
Le Panoramic
Discover our homemade bistronomic cuisine, crafted from carefully selected fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Practical Information
From Paris
By car: 45 minutes east (A4 toward Metz, Crécy-la-Chapelle exit). Free parking on site.
By public transportation: Take the RER A to Val d'Europe, then take a taxi or ride-hailing service (about 20 minutes)
OPENING HOURS
Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Accessibility
The park is fully accessible to people with limited mobility (the only exception being the underground jaguar observation tunnel)
2026 Prices
Adult (ages 12 and up)
€19
Child (under 12)
€14.50
Child (under 3)
FREE
Family tickets (2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children)
€58 (€14.50/person)
FAQ
How far is Parrot World from Paris?
Parrot World is located in Crécy-la-Chapelle, in Seine-et-Marne, about 40 minutes from central Paris via the A4 motorway and only 20 minutes from Disneyland Paris. This proximity makes it one of the most accessible day trips from Paris for families.
What is the best age for a family day trip to Parrot World?
The park is suitable for all ages. Children under three enter free, the play area and mini-farm are ideal for preschoolers, and the hands-on experiences (Feed the Penguins from age 7, Zookeeper for a Day from age 8) are designed for older children and teenagers.
Can you really meet capybaras near Paris at Parrot World?
Yes. Capybaras are among the park's most popular animals and can be seen throughout your visit. For a direct encounter, two immersive experiences are available: the Zookeeper for a Day programme welcomes participants aged 8 to 13 accompanied by a paying adult, who together feed the capybaras and spend a privileged moment with them alongside a professional keeper.
Younger or more independent children can also take part in the Junior Zookeeper experience, specifically designed for kids who join the activity on their own a fun, supervised way for them to discover the keeper's daily routine and get up close to the park's animals without a parent at their side.
How does the Feed the Penguins experience work?
Feed the Penguins is a 30-minute privileged encounter with Humboldt penguins, open to children aged 7 and above accompanied by a paying adult. Groups are limited to six people, and a keeper accompanies the session. The activity costs 29 € per person and must be booked separately from the park entry ticket.
Can families sleep inside Parrot World?
es. The park offers five lodges inspired by Amazonian stilt houses, each facing a different animal habitat: jaguars, parrots or scarlet ibises. Overnight stays include dinner at Le Panoramic restaurant, breakfast, two-day park access and a privileged animal experience.
Is Parrot World a good alternative to Disneyland Paris for a family day trip?
Parrot World is often chosen as a nature-based complement to Disneyland Paris, which is only 20 minutes away. Many visiting families combine a Disneyland day with a Parrot World day to balance entertainment with a calmer, wildlife-focused experience.
Is English spoken at Parrot World?
Yes. The park welcomes international visitors daily, and the website, tickets and key visitor information are available in English.