For something a little different, why not get out of the towns for a bit and wander the green spaces of Le Parc des Félins. Located in the Seine-et-Marne region, this big-cat zoological park is just to the east of Paris, roughly half an hour from St Siméon.
Le Parc des Félins is set within a wonderful wooded estate and is devoted to the care and conservation of a whole range of beautiful felines, from small European wildcats to the iconic African Lions. The park is responsible for the care of 30 different species and has a total of 140 cats in residence. There is also a large lemur population in the park, with members from five different species living freely on a two and a half acre island. This is in addition to a smaller petting area with goats and other farm animals, ensuring there really is something for all ages.
The main focus of course are the cats and, with an area of 150 acres, the park has four main sections: the European, African, American and Asian circuits. The park has an admirable philosophy whereby the animals live in recreated natural habitats that have been designed with the animals' welfare in mind; it encourages natural behaviour in a way that means the cats aren't on display, but instead visitors are 'invited into their world to become active observers'. The cats are happy and thrive in large enclosures with plenty of vegetation and watering holes. Visitors explore the majority of the park on foot; by taking time and being patient you could be lucky enough to see the cats playing or raising their cubs.
These stunning felines are raised and bred as part of international and European breeding programmes (EEP, ESB); the Parc des Félins is involved with the protection of a number of endangered species and conservation work is very important to the park staff. What started as a smaller establishment in the 1990s is now an amazing environment with an incredible range of inhabitants including lynx, elegant caracals, small sand cats, stunning white lions, black panthers, cheetahs, Sumatran tigers, Sri Lankan leopards and many, many more!
In order to keep the various habitats of the park as natural as possible, mowing, pruning and tree-cutting is kept to a minimum and the estate's biodiversity is protected as much as possible. For this reason you can really enjoy a walk in the woods of the estate where you are likely to spot a number of bird species and small mammals going about their daily business all year round. Le Parc des Félins really is a haven and certainly worth a visit.
Image: Wikimedia Commons (bit.ly/1PLAKGQ)
Take a look at opening times, prices and directions on Le Parc de Félins website.
Le Mont de St. Siméon is just a short distance away and provides a fantastic base from which to explore the beautiful region or venture into Paris. Discover the area for yourself and find out how to stay in St. Siméon by following the lnk below.
