Spotlight on Thoiry, the Castle for kids

 So many activities for kids in Thoiry Castle

Everyday near Paris, Thoiry Castle, historical gardens, and zoopark offer fun and entertainment for all the family. All year round 1000 free-roaming exotic animals, (21 species: elephants, lions, giraffes, rhinoceros, antilopes…) fascinate and amuse visitors to the 1200 acre Thoiry estate since the drive-through African Reserve was created 40 years ago in 1968 by the Count de La Panouse.

In the gardens:

• 5600 yew trees and 9 bridges form a gigantic maze of detours and meanders, a secret garden of surprises and mysteries.

• Thoiry's Interactive Educational Cabins reveal the secrets of  the animals' lives, kids amuse themselves while learning about animal behavior.

• The garden promenade "Actions for Nature" advises on 40 useful actions for everyone  to protect and respect the environment. 

• Children become Zoolympic Games athletes for the day and compare their performances with those of the animals:  "Can you stand on one leg as long as a flamingo?" "run as fast as a leopard?" "Jump as high as a flea?"

• Zookeepers Chats and a walk through the glass tunnels crossing  the tiger and lion parks under the animals' claws, the Pyramide Playground rope walks and slides are all added aventure and excitement, and the Petting Farm is a memorable moment of tenderness for all.

From February to mid- November, the chateau's costumed guides offer castle tours where kids are costumed to tour the drawing rooms with a game quizz book to win their certificate of Lord or Duchess of Thoiry.

For Thoiry's Special Events dates:

See Thoiry's website Events Calendar www.thoiry.net for  "Fireside Story Tales and Teas", Ateliers, Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Party, Summer and Winter Solstices Celebrations, Candlelight tours, concerts, new animal births and many extra activities.

Special Offer !!!

To celebrate the 450th anniversary of Thoiry Castle's construction, the Count de La Panouse, descendant of the O'Briens, Kings of Thomond and Connaught, has a special Thoiry 2009 offer for all Irish visitors :

• one child entry free for two paid entries*.

(Park all-inclusive full day fun Tickets on sale at Thoiry or internet: FNAC Billetel website. *This offer may not be combined with any other offer and visitors must present an Irish passport at the entry gates)

Access to Thoiry :

Thoiry is:
- 20 minutes from Versailles by A12/N12
- 25 miles/35 minutes west of Paris by St Cloud Bridge, the A13,A12, N12 direction Dreux, exit Thoiry Montfort Méré, D76, D11

Information and hotels nearby: Tel: +33 1 34 87 49 26

email: chateau@thoiry.net  or alp@thoiry.net

website: www.thoiry.net