Tigers ()
Want to try something new and unique for a fun weekend with the family? How about sleeping next to lions, tigers or bears (oh my!). Okay, not exactly next to; there is a see-through wall between you and the bears. Escape to France with the family and pick which animals you want to have a sleepover with.
For those close to the KMC
Parc Saint Croix
Across almost 300 acres, Parc Saint Croix offers 56 different lodging choices in their nature preserves. In the zoo portion, you can see over 150 different types of animals. Depending on when you visit in the year, you can see how deer shed their antlers and grow new ones. In 2024, they introduced a new trail for visitors: the Voyage de Néo, biodiversity mission. On Neo’s Journey, you learn all about biodiversity through canoe trips, barefoot paths, a story-telling tree and an insect crater.
Groups of 2-6 can choose between wilderness-themed lodges that overlook the wolves and deer, forest cabins with large windows with a view into the bear enclosure, intimate rustic huts near the lemurs and budget-minded yurts in the center of the park. For our readers in the KMC area, it is only a two-hour drive away. Your stay includes dinner and breakfast, plus access to the park for the two days. Go to parcsaintecroix.com/fr/sejour-nature/les-lodges-nature to book your stay.
For those who love animals and theme parks
Parc Le Pal
Parc Le Pal combines the zoo and amusement park experience. Hop on the roller coasters, ride the boats in Alligator Bay or go down the raging river. See 1,000 animals at the animal park and check out their daily shows and educational activities. Download the Le Pal app on your smartphone to stay up to date on wait times, use the interactive map to find Wi-Fi spots and the restrooms, learn more about the animals with their in-depth digital files and create alerts so you don’t miss your favorite show.
End your day staying overnight in the Savannah Lodge or the Hippopotamus Lodge. Depending on the option you choose, your overnight stay can include entrance into the amusement park, animal park, breakfast and dinner. Book your stay at lepal.com/stays.
For those who love ocean critters
Marineland
Stay the night at “Europe’s largest marine zoo.” While at the zoo, you can see encounters with dolphins, otters, killer whales, sea lions and more. Throughout the day, make your way to the performance stands where the dolphins, orcas and sea lions perform. See not one, but two types of penguins, the King and the Rockhopper, and decide which one is your favorite. Download the Marineland app to ensure you don’t miss your favorite show. They do not offer paper maps due to their eco-conservation values.
Make the most of your zoo experience by staying at the hotel. Views from the hotel not only include the zoo but, if you are lucky enough, the Mediterranean Sea which is only a few meters away. So, you can have a dual zoo-beach getaway. You are also a short walk to Adventure Gulf, where three 18-hole mini-golf courses and a climate-controlled indoor gaming room await you. Tickets to the zoo must be purchased separately but are available at reception. Book your stay at marineland.fr/acheter-des-billets/notre-hotel.
For those who want to see the world
Cerza Safari Lounge
Over 1,500 animals from five continents are waiting for you at the zoo at Cerza Safari Lounge. While at the zoo, you can take the safari train and take pictures of all the animals or catch a showing at the 3-D cinema. There are two walking trails in the zoo to see all the animals. Walk along the Red Circuit to see all the animals from Africa and see animals from the rest of the world while walking on the Yellow Circuit. Walking both trails takes about 2.5 hours.
Groups can choose to stay in eco-lodges, “zoo observatories” and safari tents. Sleepover season is from February to November and some options will not be available until warmer weather comes. Choose to sleep with views of rhinos, camels or monkeys. The safari tent options are located next to the rhino and Artic wolf enclosures. Make the stay extra special with romantic, birthday and massage options. Your stay includes admission to the park. Book your stay at cerzasafarilodge.com.
For those who want a safari near Paris
Wow Safari Thoiry
Wow combines the zoo and safari experience and is only 40 minutes from Paris. Go on a one-hour safari (with your vehicle or theirs) and then walk around the zoo. Throughout the day, see feedings of the gorillas, red pandas, giraffes, gibbons and more. More adventurous folks can zipline over the lions, walk through 1,500 meters2 of bouncy nets or see if they can make their way out of the grassy labyrinth. Everyone will enjoy the world farm where you can meet the woolly pigs, Highland cows and Racka sheep.
They offer two options for staying overnight. Stay in the elephant territory or stay in the forest and watch the nocturnal habits of the bears. Add to your experience with dinner in the safari area or have a birthday party in the zoo. Your overnight stay includes admission to the park, special elephant or bear-related activities, dinner and breakfast. Book your stay at thoiry.net/les-nuits-de-thoiry.
We couldn’t cover all of the animal-related sleepover options in France. You can also check out Parrot World, Parc Animalier des Pyrénées, EcoZonia, and La Flèche Zoo.
