Panda is huge draw

The popularity of baby panda Yuan Meng is set to boost visitor numbers to Beauval Zoo to up to two million this year, from 1.45m in 2017. The zoo, in Loir-et-Cher, is already more popular that the area’s other main attraction, the Château de Chambord (920,000 visitors in 2017).

Tourist chiefs say the panda brings in visitors who go on to also visit sites like the château.