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Hello adventurous families! I'm Pilar, and again today I bring you a complete guide to fully enjoy the Sigean African Reserve with children and Sigean in motorhome.

Yes, yes, you read that right. Join me on this exciting African adventure in France!

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Sigean in France: What is it really? Safari, zoo or theme park?

First things first, what exactly is Sigean? I know that many of you have doubts about this, so I'm going to see if I can explain to you what in my opinion and experience could define what Sigean is.

Well, first of all, I would say that this place is a mix between safari and zoo. Imagine coming across lions, antelopes and rhinos while driving in your car, because that is the safari part, then seeing giraffes and chimpanzees walking in fairly large but fenced enclosures, because that is the zoo part. It's like being in Africa, but in France within a controlled space!

Type	Description
Safari	Travel in approximately 1 or 1,5 hours by car, van or motorhome to different areas and observe animals in semi-freedom in large but controlled spaces.
Zoo	Large areas where animals live in environments similar to their natural habitat, but in controlled fenced spaces that are visited on foot in a route of about 1,5-2 hours.

Our own experience

This winter, we decided to spend the first day of the Purísima Bridge in Sigean. That experience! In Spain it wasn't that cold and when we got there the cold really enveloped us but also the wind! The blessed Tramuntana storm hit us all day.

When we arrived, first thing in the morning, we thought that today was not the day... but...

Despite the time in sigean, we could see the 90% of animals active and in their splendor, what a surprise! My children were excited to see the lions roar and the bears frolic. We didn't even believe it.

Only the chimpanzees were sheltered, we don't know where (their space is huge) and we couldn't see even one...they really are the most similar to humans hehe, I would have also taken refuge like them from the wind blowing hehe.

Video of our visit and experience in Sigean

Why visit Sigean

If you are wondering why you should visit Sigean, here are some reasons, which are also some of the objectives of the Sigean African Reserve:

• Conservation of endangered species: There are 44 protection and conservation programs for African animal species in Sigean.
• Investigation: By visiting, we contribute to university students continuing to research some species where there is still much to know.
• Education: Learn about African fauna and its conservation.
• Fun: It's a perfect plan for the whole family!
• Unique experience: It's not every day you can say you've been on safari in France.

Without a doubt, only by visiting the Sigean African Reserve, which is their largest source of income, can conservation, research and education be carried out, which are the 3 objectives of the Sigean Reserve.

Where is it and how to get there

Sigean is located in the south of France, in the heart of Norbonnaise Regional Natural Park, in the town called like the same reserve, sigean.

 Very close to the sea and the coastal town Port-la-Nouvelle or Gruissan, where it is famous for its salt flats, where there is a museum of the salt flats that is worth visiting if you go.

The peculiarity of where it is is that it is in a humeral area, full of lakes and ponds, between fresh and salt water.

Getting there is quite simple. We, as always, went in our motorhome, and the trip was very comfortable, in 2 hours and a few minutes from near Barcelona we arrived in Sigean for the AP7 highway easily and comfortably. Just have to pay the part of the toll from France until the exit of Sigean which does not reach 20 €uros.

When to visit Sigean

If you are wondering about the They follow time better to visit it, I will tell you that it is better to visit it in spring or fall, due to the temperate temperatures. But if you fear es see or not more or less animals, I would tell you that you will see them practically all year round since it is never so cold in the area that you cannot see them, the South of France and where it is has temperatures that are not extreme in terms of cold.

We went in the middle of winter as I told you above, during December, and the day was very cold and windy, but we saw the 90% of animals without problem, yes we were early in the morning. The truth is that the worst was the walk on foot with the north wind that I took. The good thing is that inside the vehicle it was very comfortable and we could see practically all the animals, and the best no crowds of people in the park or vehicles, something that I highly recommend to relax and enjoy.

How much do tickets to Sigean cost?

All the Follow entries They have a price that varies depending on the season and the available offers. It is best to look at the Sigean official website and buy them before going directly to it to ensure you can access it and at the best price.

It cost us 102 Euros for the family pack 2 adults + 2 children What do they do with the access of the vehicle, which in our case was our motorhome.

Sigean discounts and offers

If you are looking for an Follow discount tickets, I recommend that you look at their official website. There are always interesting offers!

The most interesting offer for us from Sigean is the one they always have from Family Pack of 2 adults and up to 3 children, where they discount 3 euros for each entry.

On the other hand, Sigean at Christmas They usually get a super attractive offer that costs 33 euros for an adult and 25 euros for a ticket and a 24-year-old child costs 15 Euros, a super offer, where they also do raffles among those who buy the discount tickets.

Another offer that Sigean makes for now in 2024, when the reserve turns 50, is that, if it is the day of your birthday, upon presentation of your ID, They give you your ticket!

Tickets 2×1 Sigean

It is not the normal Sigean offer, so they are not always available, but if you find 2×1 Sigean tickets, it is on its official website, if you find it, take advantage of it!

Follow schedule

To plan your visit, it is important to know the Follow schedule. They are open every day of the year, 365 days, but hours may vary depending on the season, especially from summer to winter, when it gets dark earlier.

Winter hours are the shortest and they open from 9 to 17: 30 hours. In summer the hours are extended with sunlight and you can access a couple more hours.

Follow animals you can see

From majestic lions to adorable meerkats, Sigean has a wide variety of They follow animals that will leave you breathless.

We saw a lot of different antelopes, zebras, rhinos, giraffes, ostriches, monkeys, many flamingos and some pelicans, beautiful bears and a lot of other animals.

Sigean map

So you don't miss anything, be sure to pick up a Sigean map to enter. He is your best ally!

On the map you can not only see where you are going or where you want to go, but it also indicates the animals that you can see in each area and is super useful for identifying all the species.

Where to sleep in Sigean: Accommodation Sigean

If you decide to stay a few days, here are some options accommodations in Sigean is especially designed if you travel with children:

Apartments near Sigean

For those like us who prefer apartments that have a kitchen and more freedom of movement with the children, here are some:

Sigean Apartments with children

Sigean Hotels

For those who prefer comfort and additional services, the Sigean hotels they are an excellent option.

Here are the different nearby options that may interest you, especially if you are traveling with children:

Sigean Hotels with children

Campsites Sigean

If, like us, you travel in a motorhome, caravan or van or you like life outdoors, the Sigean campsites are perfect, in fact it is the closest option to then visit the Sigean African Reserve, since right next door there is the Camping La Grange Neuve and 2,5 km away Camping Thoapi Ensoya.

Tips for visiting Sigean with children

Below, based on our experience, I make a list of tips that I would have liked to have had before going with our family, I hope it helps you:

• Get your Family Pack ticket: where they will deduct 3 euros per head, something is something.
• Sunscreen: If you go in summer, don't forget sunscreen! And in winter, dress warmly in case the north wind blows like us hehehe.
• Picnic. In the parking area where you go to the Reserve area on foot, there is a picnic area with tables, if you bring a picnic it is ideal, but you also have a couple of restaurants right in the walking area.
• Water and snacks: It's always good to bring something to snack on and water...you know that sooner or later, if I'm hungry or thirsty, it's there hehe.
• Binoculars: There are very large areas where you can see the animals in the distance, but with binoculars your children will feel like absolute explorers on a safari and they will see them up close!
• Camera: You'll want to capture every moment! And the children too, so bring some for them, they will love it.

Sigean in motorhome

We are fans of motorhome adventures, you already know that we go everywhere with our Kucavana, our motorhome, which is what our blog is named after. So, visiting Sigean in our motorhome was an unforgettable experience. There is no access problem with a motorhome, on the contrary it is wonderful to go with your house on wheels.

The ideal place to sleep in summer is in the annexed campsite. Camping La Grange Neuve with swimming pools and next to the animals, but in winter this campsite is closed so if you go like us when it is closed what we recommend is to sleep in one of the nearby vineyards that allow you to spend the night in exchange for a purchase or tasting of their wines.

We sleep in the Domaine Château du Lac Laurent Parnaud, super good, quiet, safe, very accessible with the motorhome and at 18 hours each day they do the wine tasting and tasting Doing it in the castle that they are renovating is highly recommended. Access is open 24 hours a day, so it is highly advisable, although the store only opens with the tasting at 18 p.m., so we advise you to arrive before that time. The only bad thing is that it only has 4 places for motorhomes.

Sigean: Our personal opinion about our experience

In closing, I must say that the Sigean African Reserve with children It is an experience that for us, despite the doubts of doing it in the middle of December, was very positive. We saw a lot of animals and many of them really had a good area of ​​land, although it is true that some animals could be in larger areas, especially those in the walking area, which is more zoo style than safari.

 The combination of nature, education and fun makes Sigean a perfect plan for the whole family and if above all we think about the 44 species conservation programs they have, I don't see a better way to contribute to it, although someone who has many reluctance towards zoos and captive animals.

Until the next adventure, travelers!