To be awakened by the roar of lions, the trumpeting of elephants or the howl of wolves an hour from Paris: this is the astonishing experience that the Thoiry zoo will soon offer.
The park has just opened reservations for its “immersion accommodation” to the general public.
In the coming weeks - April or May depending on the health situation * - visitors will be able to sleep in twenty dens built in the middle of the American reserve where bison, bears and wolves live in semi-freedom.
“We wanted to remain faithful to our philosophy: to lock up human beings in order to offer animals maximum freedom,” indicates Christelle Bercheny, CEO of the Thoiry group and general manager of the zoo.
These dens blend into nature to be almost invisible.
"
A large bed, dry toilet and no heating
The site management offers a calibrated program for these particular customers.
Visitors will be greeted from 4 p.m. by a ranger who will explain the organization of their stay.
This guide will reveal their accommodation to them.
The equipment is basic.
These huts on stilts are home to a bed
king
[
Editor's note: large
], dry toilets ... and that's about all!
They are made in the Eure, in a small specialized company that has been working on the concept for over a year.
"These open-beds are the equivalent of a small caravan with small shutters that allow you to observe nature in complete discretion," says Olivier Jouet, co-manager of the company PH7.
They are mobile and can very well settle in a garden.
»Keep your fingers crossed that the nights are sweet: the rooms are not equipped with heating.
LP / Mehdi Gherdane
An hour later, the ranger will hand over a “survival pack” including binoculars, night vision goggles, torches… The evening promises to be busy.
As soon as the briefing is over, it will be necessary to distribute food to the animals.
Always accompanied by a guard, you can get a little closer to the plantigrades which, this year, welcomed the birth of several cubs.
At nightfall, you will board a 4x4 for a ride in Africa and North America.
The zoo is yours, just for you, and offers itself in a unique nocturnal perspective.
After traveling on two continents, you can look forward to a good barbecue prepared by the employees of the zoo.
A safari in complete privacy
Finally satisfied, you can go to bed, lulled by the distant cries of animals.
For the late morning, you will have to iron: the same will wake you up at dawn in a concert that promises to be impressive.
“Beyond the magic of the animals and this immersive experience, we wanted a sound show for our customers,” adds the director of the park.
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After an early breakfast, you can, from 9 am, pick up your vehicle and enjoy the entire zoo before the arrival of the first customers.
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Imagined for several years by the family of La Panouse, owner of the premises, the immersive accommodation should attract a new clientele for the zoo, weighed down by a difficult year 2020.
But this change of scenery comes at a price: it will take 150 euros per person per night.
A price that includes accommodation, meals, access to the reserve and to the park on foot during the two days of presence.
“We already have about twenty reservations with many interested Parisians.
A couple even blocked the date to celebrate their wedding anniversary!
"
*
Every day from April to mid-November, depending on the weather and the health situation.
More information on www.thoiry.net.
