Who hasn’t dreamed of sleeping just a few steps away from wild animals like black bears or grey wolves? In our previous article, we told you all about our unforgettable night in a lodge inside Sainte-Croix Wildlife Park. But this time, we take you on a full adventure through the park itself, where we spent two full days exploring, observing, and simply enjoying being surrounded by nature. 🌿 A Park Where Animal Welfare Comes First Located in Rhodes, Moselle, Sainte-Croix is no ordinary wildlife park. Spanning over 120 hectares of preserved nature, it’s home to over 1,500 animals from 130 species, all living in wide open spaces designed to replicate their natural habitats. You won’t see cages here — just peaceful animals and meaningful encounters. From the very start of our visit, we were greeted by roaming red deer, curious lemurs, and woodland trails that felt more like hiking than a zoo visit. Kids were instantly fascinated, and as a parent, I couldn’t be happier watching them fall in love with wildlife. 🐺 Wolves, Bears & Big Moments The predators’ area is without a doubt one of the highlights of the park. You’ll see European grey wolves, arctic wolves, and black Canadian wolves living in wooded habitats that feel authentic and free. You do need a bit of patience, but once they appear… it’s magical. Just nearby, North American black bears roam freely in large forest zones. We had already watched them from our lodge’s terrace the night before, but seeing them again by daylight was another powerful moment. 🦌 Nature, Learning, and Family Fun The park is divided into three thematic zones: Europe, North America, and local/domestic animals. All are thoughtfully organized, with educational signs, lookout points, interactive activities, and natural playgrounds. We loved the observation cabins, and the kids had a blast climbing, playing, and learning without even realizing it. Several presentations with park staff are available throughout the day — no circus-like shows, just genuine, respectful wildlife encounters. 🌄 Two Days? Just Enough! The park is so vast that one day really isn’t enough. We were thankful we had booked for two. Every visit feels different — some animals stay hidden, others come right up. It’s an experience that evolves moment by moment. We also stopped for picnics in the designated areas, wandered through the educational farms, and yes… we brought home a cuddly wolf plush (how could we resist?). ❤️ A Place to Remember — and Return To Sainte-Croix Wildlife Park is more than just a family outing — it’s an experience that connects you with the wild and leaves a lasting impression. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, it’s always worth coming back. And for the complete adventure, don’t miss our article about the lodges, where you can fall asleep to the sound of howling wolves. Trust me — you’ll remember it forever. 📍 Practical Info: From Lodge to Table: A Full Immersion at Sainte-Croix
🍽️ Chez Lilianne – A Culinary Surprise at Sainte-Croix Wildlife Park
When we visit wildlife parks, we often lower our expectations when it comes to food. Let’s be honest — most of us prepare for overpriced sandwiches, soggy fries, or a generic meal that gets the job done, nothing more. But at Chez Lilianne, nestled inside the beautiful Sainte-Croix Wildlife Park, we found one of the most refreshing surprises of our whole trip. From the outside, it doesn’t look like much. It’s simple, like a canteen-style restaurant — long tables, a counter service setup, nothing luxurious. But sometimes, simplicity hides treasures. And this is one of those places. We sat down with low expectations and left with full bellies, big smiles, and genuine admiration for what this restaurant manages to do. 🥕 A kitchen that cooks with its garden What really stands out here is the freshness and quality of the food. The vegetables on your plate? They come directly from the garden you can see just a few steps away from the restaurant. That’s right — the park grows its own seasonal produce right on site, and it shows. You can taste the difference in every bite: the crunch of a carrot, the softness of perfectly seasoned potatoes, the flavor of real garden herbs. It’s not about fancy plating or Michelin stars — it’s about food that feels honest, local, and made with love. 🍲 A daily menu that respects nature and the seasons The menu isn’t huge — and that’s a good thing. Every dish is prepared with care, and you can choose between a meat option, a vegetarian plate, or a child-friendly meal. Even the desserts are homemade. We had a generous portion of a rustic crumble that reminded me of Sunday lunches at grandma’s. This isn’t just a quick food stop — it’s a part of the park experience. You sit, you take your time, you enjoy what’s on your plate, and you feel like it belongs right here in the natural setting of Sainte-Croix. 👨👩👧👦 Perfect for families If you’re visiting the park with kids (like we did), Chez Lilianne is a dream. The staff is welcoming, everything is set up to make families feel comfortable, and the setting is relaxed and kid-friendly. There’s space to breathe, no pressure, and even picky eaters will find something to enjoy. 🎥 And yes, it will be in our video too This place was such a good surprise that we decided to feature it in our upcoming video about the park. We’ll even show you the little garden where the vegetables grow — just next to the terrace. At Family Travel Guide, we love finding hidden gems like this — places that don’t pretend, that don’t oversell, but that deliver a real experience. If you’re heading to Sainte-Croix Wildlife Park, don’t skip Chez Lilianne. It may look simple, but it offers one of the best family meals we’ve had inside any park. Honest, local, delicious — and absolutely worth the stop.
🏕️ An Authentic Lodge Experience at Sainte-Croix: No Screens, Just Nature
Review focused on lodging (parking, reception, lodge) – A second review will follow soon, focusing on the park itself and the on-site dining options. Spending the night in a lodge at Sainte-Croix Wildlife Park is like stepping into another world — one where screens disappear and nature takes center stage. While not everything is perfect, the overall experience is deeply immersive, relaxing, and unlike any regular hotel night. Yes, it comes at a cost, but this is an experience everyone should live at least once, especially nature lovers and families seeking reconnection. 🅿️ Parking: Great Planning, Sabotaged by Inconsiderate Visitors Prior to arrival, you’ll receive a detailed email explaining where to park depending on your type of stay. The instructions are clear and the organization is solid. However, reality might be different. Several parking areas were already full upon arrival, mostly because visitors were parking carelessly, occupying two spaces instead of one. This is not the park’s fault, but rather due to a lack of civility. A parking supervisor or clearer ground markings might help resolve this issue. After a few loops, we finally managed to find a spot. 🎟️ Reception: Warm One Day, Cold the Next Our arrival was met with a warm, professional, and informative welcome. The first receptionist clearly explained everything, handed us maps, binoculars, and gave us tips for our stay. The next morning, however, the atmosphere shifted. The new receptionist was cold, unhelpful, and seemed irritated by the simplest questions. This inconsistency impacted the overall impression and could easily be improved with staff training. 🛏️ The Lodge: No Wi-Fi, No TV — Just Wildlife Our lodge, located right next to the black bear enclosure, was a true nature retreat. Comfortable bed, spotless bathroom, tasteful design, and wide glass windows for wildlife viewing — it felt cozy yet wild. Important to know: there is no TV, no Wi-Fi — and that’s intentional. The aim is to disconnect completely, and it works beautifully. Trade screen time for stargazing, digital noise for howling coyotes and frog concerts. At night, the lodge is far from quiet — but in the best way. You’ll hear the howls of coyotes, croaking frogs, rustling leaves… it’s real wilderness all around you. For some, that may be surprising. For others, it’s exactly what makes this experience unforgettable. ✅ Summary: 👉 A second review about the park itself and the dining experience will follow shortly. Parc Animalier de Sainte-Croix :