Is the Bassin aux Otaries included with zoo admission?

Yes, it's inside the Parc Zoologique de Paris and covered by standard admission — no separate ticket needed.

How much does the Paris Zoo cost for a family?

About USD 72–80 for 2 adults and 2 kids (ages 3–11). Children under 3 enter free.

When are the sea lion feeding times?

Feeding times vary by season — check the schedule board at the zoo entrance when you arrive or ask at the ticket desk.

Bassin aux Otaries

1 / 5

Rating

4.5(106)

Family of 4

USD 72–80 (2 adults at ~USD 22 each, 2 kids ages 3–11 at ~USD 14 each; under 3 free)

Duration

20–40 min for the sea lion area; 3–4 hours for the full zoo

Best Ages

3–15

About

The Bassin aux Otaries is one of the standout attractions inside the Parc Zoologique de Paris, the newly renovated zoo in the Bois de Vincennes. The sea lion pool is designed so that kids can get very close — there's a large viewing area right at water level where you can watch the animals swimming, interacting with trainers, and getting fed.

Feeding demonstrations happen at scheduled times throughout the day and draw a crowd. It's worth arriving 10 to 15 minutes early to get a front-row spot. Watching a sea lion launch out of the water for a fish tends to produce the kind of unfiltered kid reactions that make travel worthwhile.

The pool is part of the larger Parc Zoologique de Paris, which underwent a major EUR 135 million renovation completed in 2014. The zoo is organized into five biozones representing different world habitats — Patagonia, Sahel-Sudan, Europe, Amazon and Madagascar. The sea lion area is in the Patagonia zone, which also has some of the best open landscape viewing in the zoo.

Admission to the zoo covers everything including the Bassin aux Otaries. Budget about 3 to 4 hours for the full zoo. There's an on-site cafe and a restaurant, plus changing facilities and nursing areas near the main entrance.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Nursing / Changing

true

Kid Meals

true

Setting

Outdoor

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Check feeding times on arrival — typically mid-morning and early afternoon

Wait Times

10–20 min to get a good spot at feeding time

Nearby Food

The zoo has an on-site cafe near the main entrance and a sit-down restaurant. Outside the zoo, the Bois de Vincennes has picnic areas. Nearby Daumesnil metro area has cafes about a 10-minute walk away.

Why Kids Love It

Watching real sea lions swim, splash and get fed is the kind of thing kids talk about for weeks after. The Bassin aux Otaries at the Parc Zoologique de Paris puts the animals right at eye level — you can get genuinely close, and feeding times are chaotic and loud in the best way. It's one of the most exciting spots in the whole zoo.

Pro Tips from Parents

Pick up a zoo map at the entrance and note the sea lion feeding schedule immediately — times vary by season
The Patagonia biozome (where the sea lions are) is at the far end from the main entrance — plan your route so you don't rush

What to Bring

The zoo's app or a printed map — it's a large site
Snacks and water, though there is an on-site cafe
A light jacket — the Bois de Vincennes can be breezy

Cost Info

Estimated Cost (Family of 4)

USD 72–80 (2 adults at ~USD 22 each, 2 kids ages 3–11 at ~USD 14 each; under 3 free)

Tips to Save

Book tickets online in advance — the zoo charges the same price but you avoid the queues.
Check the zoo's website for occasional family discount codes, especially in shoulder season (Oct–Nov and Feb–Mar).