Pairi Daiza

Pairi Daiza — Avestan for 'paradise' — is a large zoo and botanical garden in Brugelette, Hainaut province, about 50 kilometres west of Brussels. The grounds are built around the ruins and surviving buildings of the medieval Cistercian Abbey of Cambron, whose stone walls and arched remnants serve as atmospheric backdrops for themed wildlife zones spanning Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Arctic. Originally known as Paradisio, the park rebranded in 2009 and has since invested heavily in conservation: it holds EAZA accreditation and participates in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). Repeatedly named Europe's best zoo, it houses over 400 animal species alongside manicured botanical gardens and historic parkland — making it equally compelling for families, wildlife enthusiasts, and visitors drawn to its layered monastic history.