Monkey Mountain is a rare attraction in Alsace: it is home to 200 barbary macaques, in the middle of the Vosges mountain range. Spring is a special time, as the babies arrive! In 2023 there were 10 babies, and we were lucky to watch 3 of them nearby, wondering freely.
1. Good to know:
- Monkey Mountain is open from spring to fall (check the website)
- Feeding sessions are hosted several times a day
- Ticket price: around 10-15 euro
- 50 min by car from Strasbourg
- There is a playground for smaller kids and the cafe
- And a great rope course for the entire family
The area is beautiful! We liked walking in the evergreen forest and spent around 3 hours there despite the rain. And everybody participated in the rope course (at the end of the post) even my 70 y.o. mom 🙂
2. Attraction in Alsace: macaques in the French mountains?
More than 50 years ago, french enthusiasts Gilbert de Turckheim and Jacques Renaud decided to create a place where visitors could watch the wild animals living in the best possible conditions.
The risky endeavor became a success due to the observation of Barbary macaque in the Altas mountains (Algeria) where they roam freely and friendly with people.
As the weather and conditions in Alsace were similar to those in the Altas mountains, the adaptation of Barbary macaques was successful, and the park turned into a popular attraction in no time.
3. A good addition: rope course for big and small
Wander through the forest along the rope course while mimicking certain behaviors of the monkeys. A course of about fifteen devices on the ground or in height, secured by nets, takes you closer to nature for a better understanding of the primates’ behavior.
You can also extend your visit by stopping at the famous castle in Alsace, beautifully restored and good to visit with children year-round: Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, 10 10-minute drive from Monkey Mountain.
Thanks for reading!
Make sure to check out prices, schedules and conditions before you go
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Other places to see animals, in Strasbourg, year-round:
And ride horses in a picturesque place, on the border between Strasbourg and Germany:
