Parc de Lunaret (Montpellier Zoo): Free Zoo Guide (2026)
Parc de Lunaret, Montpellier's free 80-hectare zoo: woodland trails, lions, rhinos and bears. Season hours, bus access and the paid Amazonian greenhouse.
On this page
Parc Zoologique de Lunaret — better known simply as the Zoo de Montpellier — is one of the largest free zoos in France. Spread across roughly 80 hectares of pine-covered hillside in the Aiguelongue district north of the city centre, it lets you wander shaded woodland trails past lions, rhinos, bears, wolves and zebras at no cost at all. Owned and entirely financed by the City of Montpellier and drawing around 650,000 visitors a year, it is a genuine local institution and one of the most family-friendly things to do in Montpellier. This 2026 guide covers what to see, the paid Serre Amazonienne greenhouse, opening hours and how to get there.
About the Zoo (free, 80 ha)
Founded in 1964, the Parc de Lunaret is set within a much larger protected natural reserve along the Lez river, so a visit feels less like a conventional zoo and more like a long woodland walk with animals along the way. The enclosures are generously sized and the circuit is around five kilometres of gentle, mostly shaded paths — comfortable walking shoes are a far better idea than a buggy on the rougher sections.
The collection holds roughly 170 animals across about 29 species, with an emphasis on large mammals: Asiatic lions, white rhinoceros, brown bears, wolves, zebras, antelopes, lynx and a sizeable bird collection. A long-term modernisation programme (around 30 million euros) is steadily redesigning the enclosures zone by zone, so expect some areas to be under works through 2026 while the rest of the park stays open as normal.
Because entry is completely free, the zoo is a brilliant rainy-day-proof, budget-friendly outing — it features prominently in our roundup of free things to do in Montpellier and is a reliable hit with younger visitors, as covered in our Montpellier with kids family guide.
The Serre Amazonienne (paid)
The one part of the site that is not free is the Serre Amazonienne, a 2,600 m² climate-controlled Amazonian greenhouse that opened in 2007. Inside, it recreates several tropical climate zones — humid rainforest, flooded forest and more — with free-flying birds, caimans, anacondas, poison-dart frogs, monkeys and a simulated downpour every couple of hours.
When open, admission is a separate ticket of about €6.50 for adults (around €5.50 with the local Pass'Agglo), €3.00 reduced (ages 6–18, students, jobseekers), and free for under-6s. Important for 2026: the greenhouse has been closed since 2021–2022 for major renovation and remained closed as of early 2026, with a reopening planned but not yet dated. Check the official site before counting on it — if it is still shut, the rest of the (free) zoo is unaffected.
Opening Hours & Entry
The zoo itself is free, year-round. It is generally closed on Mondays outside school holidays, but open on Mondays during school vacations and on public holidays. Seasonal opening hours for 2026 are roughly:
- January: 10:00–17:00
- February–May: 10:00–18:00
- June–August: 09:30–18:30
- September–October: 10:00–18:00
- November–December: 10:00–17:00
Last entry is usually about an hour before closing, and given the size of the park it is worth allowing two to three hours for a relaxed loop. The Serre Amazonienne, when operating, keeps shorter hours than the zoo and carries its own ticket (see above).
Getting There
The zoo sits at 50 Avenue Agropolis, 34090 Montpellier, about 4 km north of Place de la Comédie. By public transport, TaM bus lines 22 and 23 serve the Agropolis / Zoo stops right by the entrance; from the city centre you can connect to these buses via the tram network, with line 5 running out towards the northern districts. Drivers will find free car parks at the main entrance, though they fill quickly on sunny weekends and during school holidays — arrive early. For getting around the wider city, see our things to do in Montpellier hub. If you are pairing the zoo with another nature-and-animals outing, the aquarium-and-planetarium complex described in our Planet Ocean Montpellier guide makes an easy companion visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Zoo de Montpellier (Parc de Lunaret) free?
Yes. Entry to the zoo is completely free and unticketed in 2026 — it is owned and funded by the City of Montpellier. The only paid element is the separate Serre Amazonienne greenhouse, which has been closed for renovation since 2021–2022.
How much does the Serre Amazonienne cost?
When open, the Amazonian greenhouse costs about €6.50 for adults, €3.00 reduced (ages 6–18, students, jobseekers) and is free for under-6s, with a small discount on the Pass'Agglo. Note it remains closed for renovation in 2026, so check the official site before relying on it.
How do I get to the zoo by public transport?
Take TaM bus line 22 or 23 to the Agropolis / Zoo stops by the entrance at 50 Avenue Agropolis, roughly 4 km north of the centre. You can connect to these buses from the tram network. There is also free parking at the main entrance, which fills up on sunny weekends.
