Our unusual night among the wolves
Presentation
Practical information
One night eye to eye with the black wolves.
It was with an almost childlike excitement that I was waiting for that day! After driving a few hundred kilometers to reach the pond region in Moselle, the Sainte-Croix Animal Park opens up to us. At the reception, Aurélie hands us the keys and some great advice. We cross the park, and there it is, the Jack London Lodge!
The scent of wood strikes us, and we fall under its charm. It is sublime. A subtle blend of beautiful materials like wood, leather, stone, well-thought-out furniture, and incredible bay windows open onto the forest where the black wolf pack roams. For a moment, we could forget that these are wild animals, but when they emerge silently and we meet their gaze, the emotion is intense—it's impossible not to be moved.
At the time the park closes its gates, our guide takes a few lucky visitors for a twilight walk. We head to the great plain where 150 semi-wild deer offer a breathtaking spectacle. With a lot of humor and vivid descriptions, Alexandre tells us about the tough life of stags—and does!—during the rutting season, the hierarchy of wolf packs, and, with demonstrations, reminds us of the wild nature of these wolves.
This is perfect, as after dinner, we cross the forest to return to our lodge; night has fallen, the sounds are amplified...
The atmosphere is just as mystical when we wake up to the wolves' howls. Slowly, one by one, they approach us. What a wonder to start the day!
On-site breakfast option is a must.
The birth of Gimli in spring illustrates how well the black wolf pack has acclimated to this animal park. Its origin dates back to a somewhat crazy gamble taken by Liliane and Gérald Singer—the parents of the current co-directors—who decided to transform their farmland into a park showcasing European wildlife. It was in 1980, and today the 120 hectares of forests, meadows, and ponds serve as a refuge for a hundred species (1,500 animals).
We didn’t know all of this when we entered the park, so we discovered much more than unusual accommodations. The themed trails that crisscross the park take us on a staged, playful visit, punctuated with hands-on activities, games, educational panels, and encounters with the caretakers.
When it was our turn to leave the park, we realized how much the 13 unusual accommodations—cabins, yurts, and lodges—extend this unique experience offered by the Sainte-Croix park, a place of life-size learning!
Since 2019, with the opening of the New World: North American Great Spaces, 28 unusual accommodations have been added to the park's offerings.
✯ Open from late March to mid-November ; for reservations, click here ✯
It was with an almost childlike excitement that I was waiting for that day! After driving a few hundred kilometers to reach the pond region in Moselle, the Sainte-Croix Animal Park opens up to us. At the reception, Aurélie hands us the keys and some great advice. We cross the park, and there it is, the Jack London Lodge!
The scent of wood strikes us, and we fall under its charm. It is sublime. A subtle blend of beautiful materials like wood, leather, stone, well-thought-out furniture, and incredible bay windows open onto the forest where the black wolf pack roams. For a moment, we could forget that these are wild animals, but when they emerge silently and we meet their gaze, the emotion is intense—it's impossible not to be moved.
At the time the park closes its gates, our guide takes a few lucky visitors for a twilight walk. We head to the great plain where 150 semi-wild deer offer a breathtaking spectacle. With a lot of humor and vivid descriptions, Alexandre tells us about the tough life of stags—and does!—during the rutting season, the hierarchy of wolf packs, and, with demonstrations, reminds us of the wild nature of these wolves.
This is perfect, as after dinner, we cross the forest to return to our lodge; night has fallen, the sounds are amplified...
The atmosphere is just as mystical when we wake up to the wolves' howls. Slowly, one by one, they approach us. What a wonder to start the day!
On-site breakfast option is a must.
The birth of Gimli in spring illustrates how well the black wolf pack has acclimated to this animal park. Its origin dates back to a somewhat crazy gamble taken by Liliane and Gérald Singer—the parents of the current co-directors—who decided to transform their farmland into a park showcasing European wildlife. It was in 1980, and today the 120 hectares of forests, meadows, and ponds serve as a refuge for a hundred species (1,500 animals).
We didn’t know all of this when we entered the park, so we discovered much more than unusual accommodations. The themed trails that crisscross the park take us on a staged, playful visit, punctuated with hands-on activities, games, educational panels, and encounters with the caretakers.
When it was our turn to leave the park, we realized how much the 13 unusual accommodations—cabins, yurts, and lodges—extend this unique experience offered by the Sainte-Croix park, a place of life-size learning!
Since 2019, with the opening of the New World: North American Great Spaces, 28 unusual accommodations have been added to the park's offerings.
✯ Open from late March to mid-November ; for reservations, click here ✯
Parc animalier de Sainte-Croix
Other unusual offers in the same establishment:
Dormir avec les loups
Spend a night face to face with a pack of wolves, deep in the Moselle forest.
Spend a night face to face with a pack of wolves, deep in the Moselle forest.
Le Bivouac brame
Sleep to the sound of deer mating in a true bivouac.
Sleep to the sound of deer mating in a true bivouac.
Cabanes perchées
Treehouses to recharge and marvel in a beautifully designed animal park.
Treehouses to recharge and marvel in a beautifully designed animal park.
Jack London Lodge
Parc Animalier de Sainte-Croix
57810 Rhodes, France
Tel : +33 (0)3 87 03 92 05
Fax : +33 (0)3 87 03 95 36
From 193 EURParc Animalier de Sainte-Croix
57810 Rhodes, France
Tel : +33 (0)3 87 03 92 05
Fax : +33 (0)3 87 03 95 36
Pricing details
Rates 2020, from €193 per person.Package includes two-day access to the Park, dinner (excluding drinks), and breakfast served at the park's restaurant.
Optional extras: delivery of breakfast and/or dinner basket to the lodge, dinner at the Kota-grill, champagne, etc.
Maximum capacity 6 people. Accessible for disabled persons. Private jacuzzi on the terrace, always facing the wolves!
For reservations, click here.
Note: All prices are provided for informational purposes only and must be confirmed directly with the establishment.
Comments
The animal park is located 1 hour from Nancy, Metz, and Strasbourg, 15 km from the Sarrebourg TGV station.
