Guide to visiting the Sigean African Reserve: Discover the African adventure in France!

Hello, adventurous families! I'm Pilar, and today I'm back with another complete guide to help you make the most of the Sigean African Reserve with children and exploring Sigean in a motorhome.

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

About us

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'd say this place is a mix between a safari and a zoo. Imagine passing lions, antelopes, and rhinos while driving along—that's the safari part. Then, seeing giraffes and chimpanzees walking around in fairly large, but fenced, enclosures—that's the zoo part. It's like being in Africa, but in France, in a controlled environment!

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 Immaculate Conception long weekend in Sigean. What an experience! It wasn't that cold in Spain, but when we arrived there, we were truly enveloped by the cold and the wind! The dreaded tramontana wind battered us all day.

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

Despite the weather in Sigean , we were able to see 90% of the animals active and in all their splendor—what a surprise! My children were thrilled to see the lions roaring and the bears frolicking. We couldn't believe it ourselves.

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 the Norbonnaise Regional Natural Park , in the village of the same name as the reserve, Sigean.

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

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

Getting there is quite easy. As always, we went in our motorhome, and the journey was very comfortable. In just over two hours, we arrived in Sigean from near Barcelona via the AP7 motorway, easily and comfortably. You only have to pay the toll section in France up to the Sigean exit , which is less than €20.

When to visit Sigean

If you're wondering about the best time to visit Sigean , I'd say spring or autumn are ideal , due to the mild temperatures. But if you're worried about seeing more or fewer animals , you'll see them practically year-round, as it's never cold enough in the area to prevent wildlife sightings. Southern France, and the region where Sigean is located, has relatively mild temperatures.

We went in the middle of winter, as I mentioned above, during December , and the day was very cold and windy, but we saw 90% of the animals without any problem . We did go early in the morning, though . The worst part was the walk with the tramontana wind blowing. The good thing was that it was very comfortable inside the vehicle, and we were able to see practically all the animals. Best of all, there were no crowds of people or vehicles in the park, which I highly recommend if you want to relax and enjoy yourself.

How much do tickets to Sigean cost?

Tickets to Sigean vary in price depending on the season and available offers. It's best to check the official Sigean website and buy tickets there before you go to ensure entry and get the best price.

It cost us 102 Euros for the family pack for 2 adults + 2 children , which includes vehicle access, which in our case was our motorhome.

Sigean discounts and offers

If you're looking for discounted Sigean tickets , I recommend checking their official website. They always have great deals!

The most interesting offer for us from Sigean is the Family Pack they always have for 2 adults and up to 3 children , where they give you a 3 euro discount for each ticket.

On the other hand, Sigean at Christmas usually offers a super attractive deal where adult tickets cost 25 euros instead of 33 euros and children's tickets cost 15 euros instead of 24 euros, a super offer, where they also hold raffles among those who buy the discounted tickets.

Another offer Sigean is making for 2024, the 50th anniversary of the reserve, is that if it's your birthday , upon presentation of your ID, they'll give you your ticket for free!

Tickets 2×1 Sigean

It's not Sigean's usual offer, so they're not always available, but if you find 2-for-1 Sigean tickets , it's on their official website, so if you find them, grab them!

Follow schedule

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

Winter hours are the shortest, from 9 am to 17:30 pm. In summer, hours are extended to allow for a couple more hours of daylight.

Follow animals you can see

From majestic lions to adorable meerkats, Sigean has a wide variety of animals that will take your breath away.

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

To make sure you don't miss anything, be sure to pick up a Sigean map when you enter. It's your best friend!

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 accommodation options in Sigean, especially for those traveling 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, Sigean hotels are an excellent choice.

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 by motorhome, caravan or campervan or enjoy the outdoors, the campsites in Sigean are perfect; in fact, it's the closest option for visiting the Sigean African Reserve, as Camping La Grange Neuve is right next door and Camping Thoapi Ensoya is 2,5 km away .

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.

For sleeping, the ideal place in summer is the adjacent Camping La Grange Neuve campsite with swimming pools and close to the animals, but in winter this campsite is closed so if you go like we did when it's closed, we recommend sleeping in one of the nearby vineyards that allow you to stay overnight in exchange for a purchase or tasting of their wines.

We stayed at Domaine Château du Lac Laurent Parnaud , which was fantastic—peaceful, safe, and very accessible with a campervan. Every day at 6 pm they hold a wine tasting, which is highly recommended in the castle currently being renovated. Access is open 24 hours, so it's a great option, although the shop only opens for the tasting at 6 pm, so we advise arriving before then. The only downside is that it only has four spaces for campervans.

Sigean: Our personal opinion about our experience

In closing, I must say that the Sigean African Reserve with children was a very positive experience for us, despite our initial reservations about going in the middle of December. We saw many animals, and many of them had a good amount of space, although it's true that some animals could have been in larger enclosures, especially those in the walking area, which is more like a zoo than a 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!