A rich and varied fauna
The huge forests of the Ardennes and Haute-Marne are home to very varied game.
During a forest hike, it is not uncommon to see a wild boar or a roe deer as you turn a corner. In autumn, the belling of the deer deep in the woods adds a sense of mystery to your walks.
All these animals can also be observed in the many animal parks of Champagne-Ardenne: Bannie Park in Bourbonne-les-Bains, Game park in Orient Forest, the Deer Park at Chateauvillain, the St Laurent Animal Park in Charleville-Mezieres.
Theme parks
Nocturnia, the mysteries of the night
At Olizy-Primat, in a hillside forest in the Ardennes Argonne, is the ideal place to enjoy an intense adventure and discover the secrets of nature at night. However, there is no need to come at night to visit Nocturnia! The interactive and fun exhibition and show enables you to enjoy nightlife in the middle of the day.
Information:
Parc Nocturnia (Nocturnia Park)
08250 Olizy-Primat
Tel: 03 24 71 07 38
www.nocturnia.fr
Wild boar territory reception centre
Located in Mogues (08), the wild boar centre presents the history of this animal in all its forms in a journey through time, from the Gallo-Roman period to the modern day. The centre includes an interactive area, an exhibition and a film projection room.
Information:
Pavillon d'accueil du territoire du sanglier (Wild boar territory reception centre)
08110 MOGUES
Tel: 03 24 29 79 91
Observation parks
Saint-Laurent Animal Park
This 30 ha park, located close to Charleville-Mezieres, enables visitors to discover the animals that inhabit the forests of the Ardennes (wild boar, red deer, fallow deer and roe deer, etc.), but also other species such as mouflons.
Information:
Tel: 03 24 57 39 84 or 03 24 55 69 90
www.charleville-mezieres.org
The wildlife area of the Forêt d'Orient:
Open as from the spring of 2009, this park occupies a peninsula of 89 hectares between the Park Centre and Mesnil-Saint-Père. It is an opportunity to discover the mammals that live in the forests around the lakes.
Information:
Tel: 03 25 43 81 90
www.pnr-foret-orient.fr
Châteauvillain Deer Park:
This park, covering an area of 272 hectares, enclosed by a wall 6 km long, was purchased by the town in 1988 from the d'Orléans family. You will discover a hundred fallow deer that live in harmony with visitors, in the midst of magnificent trees of a whole variety of species.
Information:
Tel: 03 25 32 99 22 – Syndicat d'Initiative du Canton de Châteauvillain
"Domaine Saint Victor" Park
Formerly a favourite for Sunday strolls with the villagers of Soulaines Dhuys, this estate is still very much appreciated for its pleasant green spaces, consisting of ornamental and forest plantations, and for its "English River" which it is delightful to amble past. The park boasts remarkable wildlife and plant life, including numerous species which are endangered, rare and/or protected. The park has an arboretum which features more than 60 original species. There is an observatory looking out over the fallow deer park, as well as a walking trail, a poultry barn, a tropical greenhouse and a garden.
A "guided tour" is available on request to discover the historic buildings, in particular during the summer. Loan of binoculars for observing the fallow deer.
The park is open all year round to the public from Mondays to Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In the summer, from mid June to late August, these schedules are extended with opening on Saturday and Sunday.