La Bourbanais
LA Bourbanis is a zoo at Pleugueneuc set in the grounds of a chateau. It`s really nicely laid out and well worth a day trip. You can see lions, tigers, panthers, giraffes, crocodiles and all the rest  In addition check out one or more of the free shows (the Hounds or the Bird of Prey demonstration) You can also visit the chateau itself. Don`t forget to take the children to the bouncy castles (there are about eight of them and they are all free) and be careful not to get lost in the maze.

Planet Sauvage
This safari park is just south of Nantes and is a great day out. You arrive in your car and drive round the park yourself crossing sixteen huge parks which take you across five continents of wildlife. See lions, tigers, girrafes, elephants, monkeys, buffalo, Rhinos and dozens of other beasts; all are roaming free and come right up to the car. Remember to keep the windows closed !. If you prefer you can take a tour in a four by four.

You are also allowed to get out and pet some of the animals. There`s a good restuarant for lunch as well.

The Circus
There lots of travelling circusses in Brittany in the summer, you`ll see them advertised on lampost signs and you`ll also spot the big tops in the towns and villages. These are all great fun but we recommend the `static` circus at Treffendel. The circus Metropole is permantly sited in a large parkland of several hectares. You can go in and walk around, see some of the animals, play on the bouncy castles and then go into the big top for the main event at 3pm.

There`s clowns, trapeze artists, jugglers, lions, tigers, horses and loads more. The show goes on for nearly two hours and is money well spent.

The Bee Sanctuary and the City of the Stick Insect
Near the town of Le Faouet you can visit the bee and stick insect farms. Take a guided tour (in English) and find out everything you didn't think you needed to know about the little beasts. See what they do and why. Why not buy some genuine untainted honey. None of this stuff reaches the shelves of Tesco's !!

The Bird Reserve of the Golfe du Morbihan
The `national park` that is the Golfe du Morbihan is also a giant bird sanctuary (no, not a sanctuary for giant birds). The bay is about 15 miles square and is teeming with birdlife. You can walk along the reserves specially allocated paths, use any of the `hides` to study the birds or take a guided tour.

The Butterfly Gardens
This is next to the aquariumin Vannes and sort of self explanatory so I'll leave it at that. Here`s a photo of a friends son who seemed pretty captivated by the place.

The Bird Park
Just south of Rennes this collection of over a 1000 exotic birds ranges from parrots to ostriches. Not the place to go if you happen to be allergic to our feathered friends.

Parc Aqua-Nature Le Sterou
This is a large (150 acres) park which contains a lot of `game` type animals. They wander freely through the grounds and you can get a really close up view of them as nature intended. There's also an aquarium to see, so take a picnic and make a day of it.

The Aquarium of the Ocean
The exceptional collection of sea life at Vannes aquarium is one of the foremost in France and very nicely done. From sharks to piranhas its all there. The aquarium is the home to the famous crocodile found in the sewers of Paris ? There is also a smaller aquarium in Redon with a different variety of fishy things.

Océanopolis
Enjoy the thrill of an unforgettable day discovering the world's oceans. Located at the western head of Brittany, in an exceptional maritime and scientific environment, Océanopolis in Brest is the ocean discovery park.

This place will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the worlds oceans with three separate zones. You can watch the seals, penguins and giant crabs in the polar zone. Then move onto the sharks and seahorses in the tropical zone. After that take part in the feeding of the sea lions in the temperate zone. The park has over 50 aquariums and is well worth the drive.

If you fancy even more sea life then you could always go to the Oceanaruim du Croisic at Le Croissic near Nantes- 45 aquariums filled with life from three oceans. Or maybe the Aquarium Marin at Tregastel.

The Reptilluim
At Plouagat this unique centre holds all sorts of slimy, slithering creatures. You can discover all sorts of amphibians and reptiles from frogs to pythons.

Alligator Bay
This reptile centre near St Malo has snakes, crocs, alligators chameleons, turtles lizards and much more.

The Animal Farm
At Trinité Porhoet you can go to a real French farm and see all the animals: pigs, goats cows etc.

The Tropical park
This park at St-Jacut-les-Pines recreates the tropics ! If you fancied a look at the exotic regions of the world, then go take a look. There`s loads to see and do here and it`s great for the kids. Walk through the gardens and come across all sorts of things; the petting zone (wallabies, sheep, goats, pot bellied pigs); the music rooms where children can play all sorts of instruments; the aquatic garden; the Mexican garden and the Thai garden. Don`t forget to see one of the live shows......don`t miss the chicken that rides a bike !!!!

Insectarium
Not for those who don’t like creepy crawlies. See the lot from the tiniest fleas upwards and understand their place in the world. They have a giant bee colony as well.

Pont Scorff Zoo
This a great Zoo. Its been very well done, beautifully laid out with the animals given plenty of room and well cared for. You can see loads here from lions, giraffes, elephants and hippos, to bears, wolves, crocodiles and leopards. Spend the day, either take a picnic or eat in one of the on site restaurants, which are cheap and good value. Don`t forget to buy popcorn as you go in so you can feed the kangaroos and the Ostrich !