Unusual: sleep nose-to-nose with Arctic wolves in the Thoiry Safari lodges

Ready to be awakened by the howl of wolves in the dead of night? Then head to the Wow Safari de Thoiry, where the unusual accommodations, the Loudges, are waiting for you for an unforgettable night up close to a pack of Arctic wolves.

Since opening its treetop dens for sleeping beside grizzly bears in 2021, and then its lodges near African elephants two years later, the newest accommodation to hit the market (aside from the added cabins for bears) gives guests the chance to get up close with wolves.

• To be read
• What’s on this week, October 26 to November 1, 2026, in Paris and Île-de-France

Thoiry Zoo's new lodges in Terres d'Afrique: an immersion among elephants
After the unusual dens, Thoiry Zoo is now launching a new zone called "Terre d'Afrique", featuring an educational and immersive area with a new Elephant House and 5 cosy lodges where you can sleep in total immersion among the elephants, right in the heart of the African plain. And reservations are now open! [Read more]

The dens at Thoiry Zoo, the unusual experience of sleeping with bears
Would you like to spend a night among the animals in their dens? If you too have always dreamed of living this adventure (or offering it to your children, grandchildren...), it's possible at Thoiry Zoo in the Yvelines, by spending the night in a den close to the animals, without disturbing them. Would you like to join us? [Read more]

A fairy-tale staple, a creature often demonized and still largely misunderstood, the wolf never fails to fascinate the everyday reader. During your immersive experience right at the edge of their den, you’ll learn more about the pack, their behavior, and the keepers may even change your mind about them. Two options are available, depending on your budget, the more accessible one including overnight stay and buffet breakfast at Azimut, the zoo’s new dining venue.

Budget around 260 euros per stay in the off-season, knowing that the Loudges can accommodate two adults and one child. For an even more immersive experience, a more comprehensive option adds two-day passes to access the car safari and the walking park, a dinner at the restaurant, and the wolf-feeding as a VIP activity. After enjoying the animal park for the day (or not), you head to the reception for the unusual accommodations starting at 4 p.m.

You have to go past the zoo’s main car park and drive a little further to the safari lot. After checking in at the restaurant, we discover the Arctic wolf enclosure and our accommodation, a a charming den that resembles a roulotte tucked on the edge of their territory.

Long and narrow, it includes a sleeping nook with a queen-size bed, a compact kitchenette with a microwave and coffee machine, a stylish bathroom with a walk-in shower, and a sofa that offers an exceptional view of the pack through a half-moon bay window.

A lodging that is both modern in its services and built from natural materials to blend beautifully with its surroundings, driven by an ecological ethos. Far from huts with dry toilets, the decor is refined and comfortable, with the bed tucked under a vaulted ceiling that makes you feel like you’re sleeping in a little cocoon, and you can dim the lights to taste for a cozy atmosphere after dark. It also features reversible air conditioning, a real plus!

Outside, each lodge has its own little garden with a picnic table, lit by small lanterns, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere as you listen to the wolves howl under the stars. After settling in, guests join the other residents of the roughly dozen lodges on offer to witness the feeding of the pack with a keeper who explains the wolves’ lives for a moment.

12 wolves are on view, including two youngsters that have already grown quite large but remain wonderfully playful and endearing in their interactions. We learn to recognise the parents, and we’re told that these Arctic wolves are a subspecies of the gray wolf, even though the gray wolves themselves are pure white!

From Greenland but born in captivity, these animals are fed nearly a kilo of meat per individual per day. Before we leave, the keeper warns that we might hear them howling tonight, as they share the park with coyotes and another wolf species not far away.

From 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM, you can now book a slot at the Azimut restaurant, which also offers a sweeping view of the wolves’ territory. Alternatively, room service featuring ready-to-serve jars is available and can be delivered directly to your accommodation. Please note that outside food isn’t permitted, and payment on site is required since arrival aligns with snack time.

Azimut: the immersive restaurant where you can dine face-to-face with Arctic wolves at Thoiry Safari Park
Thoiry Safari Park unveils Azimut, its wild and gourmet restaurant, to the public every evening for dinner. As the park shuts its gates, guests settle in to savour refined, seasonal cuisine, with a panoramic, privileged view of the Arctic wolf pack. [Read more]

We recommend bringing along a few board games or other activities, as the time can drag on until sunset, even with wifi. It is also possible to reserve a sauna session for an extra fee, with a dedicated den located in the area. Night-vision binoculars are also available in your accommodation to observe the wolves in the dark!

Our lodge sits right opposite a small pond where predators come to cool off and play. We could watch them at leisure, and at night their white fur even glints through the window, making them easy to spot. In the dark, it’s best to observe them with the lights off so as not to disturb their rhythm.

As we settled in for the night, we were treated to to hear them howl, with the neighboring coyotes signaling their presence. This can happen several times a night, so be prepared! It’s a breathtaking, magical and wild moment that will stay with us for years to come.

You may also hear other noises, since the other accommodations are close by, notably the Bear Chalets, whose grounds are home to a bison and coyotes as well, not far from the three Mackenzie wolves showcased in the American Safari.

Your choice of house therefore hinges on your preferred animal among the three (wolves, bears, or elephants), the size of your family, with some options larger than others, accommodating up to six people, as well as the level of comfort you expect.

A quick reminder: it is strictly forbidden to feed the animals or to leave children unattended, for obvious safety reasons, and to avoid disturbing the wolves too much—which are wild animals and deserve our discretion.

The next morning, we head back to the restaurant for a petit-déjeuner à la fraiche, a very complete and delicious start to the day. The menu features a wide array of pastries, cereals, ham and cheese, dried fruits, bread and a range of jams—a true treat, with high-quality, varied products.

We opted for an available option, a 90-minute tour in a bush truck to spot animals you don’t see on foot in the zoo—for 10 euros per person. We rose early to watch the dawn break over the wolves’ enclosure. After handing back the keys, we took advantage of our privileged excursion before the park opened, catching zebras, giraffes, bears, gazelles and lions in the morning light.

Getting there is obviously easiest by car, but you can also hop on the Transilien’s Line N and stop at Mantes-La-Jolie, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, or Villiers Neauphle Ponchartrain, then catch buses 7818 or 5355. A shuttle is also available from Montfort L'Amaury - Méré station if you book in advance.

An immersive, up-close encounter with the animals, which truly gives the impression of being transported less than an hour from the capital—a memory we won't be forgetting anytime soon!

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.