The dens at Thoiry Zoo, the unusual experience of sleeping with bears

Spend a night at the zoo? In the Paris region, it's been possible for several years now at Thoiry Zoo , with an experience during which you really live with the animals, as close to nature as possible, in 2 x 2 meter dens equipped with the bare minimum: guaranteed immersion and great emotions on the agenda!

After a great day at Thoiry Zoo (two-day park ticket included in the complete den package ), head to the Ranger's Hut: this is where all adventurers are equipped with a backpack containing the essentials for an unusual experience in Thoiry Zoo's dens, located right above the bear and wolf enclosures. Inside: a bag of apples that you're free to throw to the cubs and their mother, glasses, a water bottle, headlamps for lighting up the night and, the must-have,night-vision binoculars for spying on wild animals in the middle of the night. That's it, you're all set for the great adventure in the dens!

In the spring of 2023, den adventurers can even watch the three cubs, born this winter and barely out of the den since April , justa few meters away : with their mother, you'll have the most adorable view of Thoiry Zoo ! From around 6:30 p.m. onwards, you can dine in or take advantage of the many activities planned exclusively for those sleeping in the dens: feeding the arctic wolves, workshops on animal footprints, anight-time stroll through ThoiryZoo onceit has closed to the public... And all this, followed by the zoo's mediators, who will explain many anecdotes and characteristics of the animals that live daily at Thoiry ZooSafari.

After 1h30 of night-time strolling , equipped witha headlamp, it's time to sit down to dinner! The den teams have thought of everything: a plancha for each den, with a meal to be grilled on the spot, directly over a wood fire! The menu features fish and meat kebabs with baby vegetables and potatoes, and a homemade cake. Drinks, soft drinks and spirits are not included in the package, but can be purchased at the Ranger's Hut, a stone's throw from the dining area.

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Then it's time for bed: at Thoiry Zoo, all the residents havealready been asleep for a long time. Everyone grabs a hot water bottle (available on request in the Ranger Hut) and heads off to their den, which is equipped with the essentials for a good night's sleep: a king-size bed with built-in heating and multiple comforters for cool spring nights, as well asa children's bed (0.70m x 1.40 m) and a "cat's toilet" (towels, jug of water) . Now's the time toturn on your night-vision binoculars and open one of the den's shutters: you'll be able to observe bears and wolves in their natural habitat at night, and you might even hear them howling!

The dens are not equipped with toilets, but there are dry toilets all along the trail that leads to these unusual dwellings. For a shower, you'll have to go to the sanitariums, which are equipped with conventional toilets and showers (towels/shower gel/shampoo provided). If you have any queries, the den staff are on hand (with a smile!) 24 hours a day: as we warned you, comfort is minimal in the dens, but the welcome is very warm indeed.

In the early hours of the morning, you wake up in front of the cubs, free to take advantage of the opportunity to observe them over a hot drink and a pastry placed in front of the entrance to your den to make waking up a little easier! Then off to breakfast, served buffet-style in the Ranger Hut from 7:30 am. Then board the bush truck (at 8:30 a.m.) to discover the safari even before the zoo opens to the general public: witness the animals waking up and being fed live for the first time! You can even enjoy a second day at the heart of Thoiry Zoo, before returning home from the adventure at theend of the day.

If you're tempted by the experience, but a little scared by the lack of comfort, good news: by September 2023, lodges will enable you to spend the night with the elephants at Thoiry Zoo! Why not spend a night at the zoo?