Le Pal

What Le Pal does

Le PAL is a privately held French SAS operating a combined amusement park and wildlife zoo in Dompierre-sur-Besbre, Allier, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes — the only facility of its kind in France. Across 40 hectares, the park offers 31 attractions ranging from thrill rides (Azteka, Fjord Explorer, Le Disque du Soleil) to family and children's rides, alongside over 1,000 animals from five continents housed in immersive enclosures, three animal shows (sea lion, raptor, parrot), and 1,500 plant species in a natural setting. The site also includes two immersive accommodations — Les Lodges du PAL and Le PAL Savana RESERVE — offering on-site overnight stays with direct wildlife views. The company is led by Arnaud Bennet as Président Directeur Général and operates with an 11–50 employee range.

Le PAL generates revenue through multiple streams: single-day and multi-day dated tickets (Billet Malin, Billet Liberté, Billet Passion), annual Pass Saison subscriptions with unlimited access and perks, accommodation stays at the two on-site lodging brands, food and beverage across multiple dining formats, on-site retail including La Bonbonnière and Comptoir de l'Ours, and donations/sponsorships to the Le PAL Nature Foundation supporting 32+ global conservation projects. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through on-site ticket offices, billetterie.lepal.com digital platform, a mobile app on iOS/Android, dedicated portals for CSEs, groups, and schools, and the Zoo Académie television show on Pitchoun TV. Pricing is tiered across online and on-site channels, with web-exclusive savings of up to €8 per ticket and reduced rates for disabled visitors with appropriate certification.

The company's go-to-market is hybrid B2C/B2B with families with children as the primary persona, complemented by accessibility-focused visitors, employee committees, school groups, corporate seminar clients, and experiential tourists. Technology includes a proprietary mobile application delivering real-time wait times, an interactive park map, and personalized alerts, plus the Handivisible digital accessibility solution integrated across key access points. Certifications include the Tourisme & Handicap label for all four disability types (motor, mental, hearing, visual) — the first such four-category certification in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The company registered share capital is €2,040,000.

Name

Le Pal

Legal name

Le PAL sas

Website

https://lepal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Le PAL operates France's only combined amusement park and wildlife zoo across 40 hectares in Dompierre-sur-Besbre, serving families with 31 attractions, 1,000+ animals, immersive accommodations, and a conservation foundation supporting 32+ global projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Amusement Park and Zoo

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Amusement and Theme Parks (71311), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions) (THAJAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Safari Parks & Drive-Through Wildlife Parks (THAAAFAD)

Keywords

• Amusement park operations
• Wildlife park
• Theme park tickets
• Visitor accommodations
• Corporate event hosting

Headquarters

HQ city

Dompierre-sur-besbre

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Single-day and multi-day admission tickets sold online and at the gate. Includes dated tickets (Billet Malin), flexible undated tickets (Billet Liberté), and 2-day passes (Billet Passion). Revenue from individual visitors, families, and groups.
2. Season Passes: Annual unlimited access passes with additional benefits including photo downloads and discounts. Multiple pass tiers available.
3. Accommodation Stays: On-site immersive accommodations including PAL Lodges (African plain or lake views) and Savana RESERVE hotel (savannah views). Packages include park entry, dinner, breakfast. Summer and off-season formulas available.
4. Food & Beverage: Multiple dining options including La Coupole restaurant, Le Quai West self-service, creperie, snack bars, and sandwich shops throughout the park.
5. Retail/Merchandise: On-site shops including La Bonbonnière boutique, Comptoir de l'Ours, and souvenir shops selling merchandise and Le PAL branded products.
6. Animal Sponsorship: Annual sponsorship programs allowing visitors to support specific animals (mandrills, wolves, giraffes, tigers, etc.) through the Le PAL Nature Foundation.
7. Foundation Donations: Donations to Le PAL Nature Foundation supporting global biodiversity conservation projects. Also includes €2 bracelets sold at animal shows and shops.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Le PAL operates a combined amusement park and wildlife zoo in Allier, France, with 31 attractions, more than 1,000 animals from five continents, animal shows, and immersive enclosures across a 40-hectare site. It sells admission tickets, season passes, on-site accommodations, paid visitor experiences, group and school visits, and corporate seminar services.

Product overview

Le Pal operates as a combined theme park and wildlife zoo in Saint-Pourçain-sur-Besbre, France — the only facility of its kind in France blending an amusement park with an animal park across 40 hectares. Its core product offering centers on the Le PAL Parc d'Attractions et Animalier itself, which encompasses 31 attractions, over 1,000 animals from five continents, 3 animal shows, immersive enclosures, and 1,500 plant species. This core is supported by a digital companion via the Le PAL Mobile Application providing real-time wait times and an interactive map. Accommodations are offered through two on-site lodging options — Les Lodges du PAL (African savanna and hippo-lake themed lodges) and Le PAL Savana RESERVE (safari hotel overlooking the African savanna). Ticket products span Billet Malin (discounted web-exclusive dated), Billet Liberté (flexible undated), Billet Passion (2-day), and Pass Saison (season pass). Experiential add-ons include Coulisses du Zoo behind-the-scenes tours, Les Camps d'Été for children aged 8–17, and animal keeper meetings. The FONDATION Le PAL NATURE drives conservation efforts supporting 32+ projects globally, with an animal sponsorship program for 12 animals. Additional services include corporate seminars, school visits, group/CSE packages, and the annual Le PAL Run event. Zoo Académie extends the brand to television via Pitchoun TV.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Le PAL Nature Foundation: Conservation foundation supporting biodiversity projects worldwide with over 32 supported projects across multiple continents including Africa, Asia, America, Oceania, and Europe
• Les Lodges du PAL
• Le PAL Savana RESERVE

Products and services

• Le PAL Parc d'Attractions et Animalier
• Billet Malin
• Billet Liberté
• Billet Passion
• Pass Saison
• Les Lodges du PAL
• Le PAL Savana RESERVE
• Coulisses du Zoo
• Les Camps d'Été du PAL
• Corporate Events & Seminars
• Group Tickets & CSE Packages
• School Visits
• Animal Sponsorship
• Food & Beverage
• Retail and Merchandise
• Mobility Equipment Rentals
• Stroller Rental
• Locker Rental

Quantifiable outcome

• TripAdvisor N°5 Favorite Amusement Park in France for 2023
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tourisme & HandicapcoreOthersOfficial certification body for accessibility in French tourism. Le PAL was the first tourist site in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region to receive the 4-disability certification (motor, mental, hearing, visual). Partnership validates Le PAL's accessibility investments and helps disabled visitors identify accessible venues.
• FWI OrganizationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizes the annual Le PAL Run race event, a 10km and half-marathon event held within the park. Partnership provides fitness-oriented visitors and creates additional revenue during off-peak periods.
• HandivisiblecoreTechnology or IntegrationAccessibility technology partnership providing digital queue management and priority access signaling for visitors with disabilities. Installed at ticket office #1, La Coupole restaurant, Le Quai West self-service, and L'Artisanat snack bar. Improves service delivery for disabled visitors.
• Simple Sponsorship / Formula Roseau PatronsminorOthersCompanies supporting the Le PAL Nature Foundation through simple sponsorship: Prefac (concrete products), Lasimone Bakery & Pastry, Bull'in Charolais (bowling), Temps Danse (dance studio), SABCF Caillot Frères (masonry). Tax deductible donations up to 60% within 5‰ turnover limit.
• Baobab Formula PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerL'Abel Destination (tourism), Part'Ener (energy), Zoopoli (zoological supplies), AG MétAL (metalworks) - corporate sponsors receiving benefits in exchange for supporting conservation. Project-specific funding for animal enclosure and sanctuary improvements.
• Sequoia Formula PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier tier donors with higher engagement levels. Additional partners not individually named in source materials. Include logo placement, dedicated events, and direct project involvement.
• Wild Life AngelminorOthersNamibia-based rangers program. Le PAL Nature Foundation funds salaries of two local rangers (Stefan and Echo) for species monitoring and ecosystem protection. €5,000 donation in March 2026. Focus on elephants, hippos, lions, and rhinos.
• Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA)minorOthersLargest African wildlife sanctuary network. €13,500 donation in December 2025. Supports rescue of trafficked primates, veterinary care, and sanctuary capacity building. Active in Cameroon, DR Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia.
• Papaye InternationalminorOthersChimpanzee sanctuary in Cameroon. €10,000 donation in April 2025. Funding for enclosure extension, equipment, and construction. 33 chimpanzees rescued from abandonment and poaching. Le PAL Nature Foundation contributes to physical infrastructure.
• AFdPZ (French Association of Zoological Parks)minorOthersProfessional association of French zoos. Le PAL Nature Foundation supports the Conservation Commission which coordinates in-situ and ex-situ conservation. French parks collectively contribute €3 million annually to field conservation.
• SANCCOBminorOthersCape Penguin conservation in South Africa. Le PAL supports penguin breeding, care, and release programs. Two centers: Cape Town (breeding) and Gqeberha (education). African penguin population declined 80%+ - endangered species protection.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Puy du Fou: Leading French themed historical park with on-site hotels and immersive shows. Comparable in offering multi-day, family-focused, story-driven entertainment with lodging and large-scale live productions, even though its theme is historical rather than wildlife.
• Pairi Daiza: Belgian zoo and botanical garden that has expanded into themed areas, lodging, and immersive animal experiences. The closest international analogue to Le PAL's hybrid zoo + theme park + on-site accommodation model.
• ZooParc de Beauval: One of the most-visited zoos in France with associated hotels and a strong conservation/breeding brand. Directly comparable on the wildlife-park, accommodation, and Foundation-driven conservation axis.
• Parc Astérix: Major French theme park north of Paris, with themed hotels and family appeal. Competes for the same French family leisure wallet and offers a similar combination of rides, accommodation, and seasonal events.
• Futuroscope: Large French theme park with on-site hotels and a focus on unique experiences. Comparable on scale of capex, lodging integration, and reliance on family/school segments.
• La Palmyre Zoo: Major French zoological park on the Atlantic coast with a large species collection and a strong conservation reputation. Comparable on the animal-park experience, family audience, and conservation mission, though without the rides component.

Regional players

• Walibi Rhône-Alpes: Regional French theme park in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes — the same macro-region as Le PAL — competing for regional family day-trip demand, though without the wildlife-park component.

Broad incumbents

• Disneyland Paris: The dominant French leisure destination with extensive on-site hotels, season passes, and aggressive direct-to-consumer digital channels. A scale benchmark rather than a direct rival, but sets the ceiling on French family leisure expectations.
• Efteling: Large Dutch theme park with on-site accommodation, season passes, and a strong accessibility focus. Comparable on family positioning, lodging integration, and continuous capex-led differentiation.
• Europa-Park: Germany's largest theme park with on-site hotels and a broad appeal. Useful as a European benchmark for revenue per visitor, lodging attach rate, and digital ticketing best practice.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/fondationlepalnature
• Instagraminstagram.com/fondationlepalnature
• Xx.com/lepal

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Le Pal