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The Sainte-Croix wildlife park is home to more than 1,500 animals and 130 species living semi-freely across 120 hectares of forests and ponds in Moselle. France’s first European wildlife park, this site in Rhodes puts wolves, bears, lynx and bison in the spotlight, seen along immersive trails or from the safari train.
To turn this outing into a true nature weekend, our selection of luxury campsites awaits you right next to the park. Here is how to make the most of your visit!
| Criteria | What to know |
| Accommodation | Rhodes, in Moselle (Grand Est), on the shores of the Étang du Stock. |
| Area | 120 hectares for more than 1,500 animals from 130 species. |
| Visit length | A full day, or a two-day stay with an overnight. |
| Highlights | The wolves, the black bears, the safari train and the immersive zones. |
| Entry price | From €24 for a child and €32 for an adult. |
Founded in 1980 by farmer Gérald Singer, the Sainte-Croix wildlife park pursues a clear ambition: to build a nature school rather than a conventional zoo. Across 120 hectares of forests and ponds, the animals live semi-freely, spread across five zones with carefully designed settings. This approach now makes it the first European wildlife park in France.
Along the paths, the visit combines discovery and education around the biodiversity of the continent. Our team is particularly struck by the park’s commitment to animal conservation, with European breeding programmes and conservation projects reaching as far as Bulgaria. The safari train adds to the walk, covering 3.2 km in an hour and passing around a dozen species.
France’s first European wildlife park, Sainte-Croix brings together animals you rarely see this close. Wildlife from the continent dominates, joined by a few guests from North America. Here are the encounters not to be missed:
All in all, more than 1,500 animals from 130 species live in the park. The safari train offers the best viewpoint for spotting them without disturbing them.
“Even after dozens of visits, watching a wolf pack move silently past remains a real thrill”, confides our team.
Our insider tip: arrive as soon as the gates open at 10 am, to enjoy the park before the crowds and catch the most active animals in the early morning. Wolves and bears are happy to show themselves in the cool, before retreating to shade in the middle of the day. In the late afternoon the site empties and the encounters pick up again.
Before planning your visit to the Sainte-Croix wildlife park, keep these practical points in mind:
Ready to extend this immersion in nature with a truly comfortable stay? After a day at the Sainte-Croix wildlife park, return to your luxury campsite in Grand Est, with pools, wellness areas and wide-open spaces. Book your accommodation now and enjoy a nature weekend without giving up comfort.
For the Sainte-Croix park, allow a full day. Its 120 hectares, five zones and the safari train take time to enjoy without rushing. If you arrive as soon as it opens, you can spread the discovery across the morning and the late afternoon, when the animals are most active.
At the Sainte-Croix park, you mainly see European wildlife: wolves, brown bears, lynx, deer, bison and Przewalski’s horses. The park also welcomes North American species, such as black bears and coyotes. In all, more than 1,500 animals from 130 species live there semi-freely.
Yes, the Sainte-Croix wildlife park is very well suited to young children. The paths remain accessible, the safari train saves tired legs, and encounters with the animals living semi-freely delight the little ones. Play areas and educational activities complete the family day.
The best time to visit the Sainte-Croix park runs from spring to autumn, when the animals are at their most active. Mornings and late afternoons remain the ideal times to watch them. On weekdays you also avoid the crowds of weekends and school holidays.
Yes, it is best to book to visit the Sainte-Croix park, especially in high season. Booking online secures your place and often saves time at the entrance. A day visit remains possible by buying your ticket on site, depending on the crowds.
