Granby Zoo

Founded in 1953 by Pierre-Horace Boivin, then mayor of Granby, the zoo bearing this Monteregian city's name has gradually established itself as Quebec's premier zoological garden, housing today a collection of nearly 1,500 individual animals representing some 200 different species, from elephants and giraffes to gorillas, tigers, and snow leopards. The site distinguishes itself through its thoughtfully designed three-part structure perfectly suited for families: to the traditional animal park are added the Amazoo water park, featuring water slides and pools with Amazonian theming, as well as a classic amusement park, allowing families to combine wildlife discovery, summer refreshment, and amusement park entertainment in a single visit. The zoo also offers a particularly original nocturnal experience called Zoo at Night, during which visitors, accompanied by a naturalist-interpreter, explore the trails at dusk to observe the awakening of nocturnal wildlife, before spending the night in one of the chalets located on the grounds—an unusual accommodation option that extends the traditional daytime visit experience. Recognized for its year-round operation, including a specific winter program where reduced crowds encourage observation of species particularly active in cold weather such as the snow leopard, Granby Zoo has attracted loyal regional and international visitors for over seven decades.