The park is built on the site of the former Chazoux quarry, which provided significant fossil remains from the Miocene epoch.
The central exhibition building is architecturally designed to resemble a giant ammonite shell.
The facility hosts a collection of rare fossils specifically recovered from the surrounding Gannat geological basin.
It offers a dedicated laboratory area where visitors can observe the work of resident paleontologists.
The park provides specific educational tracks that align with French national school curriculum requirements for natural science.
The grounds feature a scale model of the Earth's history, spanning several geological eras.
Paleopolis is a scientific leisure park focused on paleontology and the history of life on Earth, located in the Allier department of France. The site features a 2,000-square-meter exhibition hall containing life-sized reconstructions of dinosaurs and marine reptiles. Visitors can participate in hands-on workshops such as fossil casting and archaeological excavation simulations. The park is situated on the Site de Chazoux, an area of significant paleontological interest due to local fossil discoveries. Interactive displays illustrate the evolution of species and the geological transformation of the Massif Central region. The park also maintains an outdoor trail with reconstructed skeletal models set in a landscaped environment. It serves as an educational center designed to make scientific research accessible to families and school groups.
Next to the life-sized T-Rex sculpture located on the outdoor discovery trail.
Participate in the 'palaeontologist for a day' workshop to engage in guided excavation activities.
Check the daily schedule upon arrival for specific times of live demonstration talks.
Wear comfortable walking shoes as the outdoor trail covers uneven, hilly terrain.
Do not rush through the indoor exhibits, as the most detailed information is found on the placards within the ammonite structure.
Closed during the winter months; operates primarily from spring through early autumn.
