Theme parks and family days out in the Grand Est

💡 January: Most outdoor parks are closed. Go for Le Vaisseau in Strasbourg, open all year round, the Sainte-Croix wildlife park (open on certain days in January 2026) or the Vosges slopes if there is enough snow. The Verdun Underground Citadel generally closes for a few weeks in January.

💡 February: Winter holidays: family sledging and skiing in the Vosges, snow permitting, and the Sainte-Croix park open every day in February 2026. The Verdun Underground Citadel reopens in early February (on 2 February in 2026).

💡 March: The Kintzheim animal parks reopen: in 2026, Monkey Mountain on 21 March and the Volerie des Aigles on 25 March. The end of the ski season depends on snow cover.

💡 April: The big parks’ season gets under way: in 2026, the Parc du Petit Prince opened on 3 April, Nigloland on the 4th and the boat lift on 1 April. The Easter holidays are often very busy.

💡 May: May bank holidays fill the parks; aim for a weekday instead. The Parc de Wesserling reopens on 1 May (in 2026) with its ecomuseum trail designed for children.

💡 June: A good time for treetop adventure courses, before the July crowds. At Wesserling, the Festival des Jardins Métissés began on 7 June in 2026.

Also in season: La Volerie des Aigles (Eagle Park)Lac d’Orient – Forêt d’OrientLac de MadineSaint-Louis–Arzviller Boat Lift (Inclined Plane)La Montagne des Singes (Monkey Mountain)Swimming & Sailing on Lake Gérardmer

💡 July: Time for the lakes: beaches and water sports at Gérardmer, Madine or Lake Orient. The big parks open every day; arrive at opening time to keep queues down.

Also in season: La Volerie des Aigles (Eagle Park)Saint-Louis–Arzviller Boat Lift (Inclined Plane)Treetop Adventure at Parc Alsace AventureLa Montagne des Singes (Monkey Mountain)Parc de Wesserling – Gardens

💡 August: In hot weather, opt for shady or cool outings: the forest at Monkey Mountain, treetop courses, or the galleries of the Verdun Citadel at 8°C.

Also in season: Lac de MadineSaint-Louis–Arzviller Boat Lift (Inclined Plane)Treetop Adventure at Parc Alsace AventureParc de Wesserling – GardensSwimming & Sailing on Lake Gérardmer

💡 September: Parks are quieter once the children are back at school. The deer rut brings the Sainte-Croix park to life in September, and Nigloland held a preview of Nigloween on 26 and 27 September 2026.

💡 October: Halloween month: Nigloween at Nigloland, late-night openings at the Parc du Petit Prince (24 and 31 October in 2026). Last visits to the boat lift, open until 31 October.

💡 November: End of the season: in 2026, Nigloland, the Volerie des Aigles and Monkey Mountain closed on 11 November. After that, fall back on Le Vaisseau or the Verdun Citadel (ages 8 and up).

💡 December: Christmas atmosphere: the illuminated “Noël au Jardin” gardens at Wesserling from 4 to 30 December 2026, a winter trail at Sainte-Croix, and the Gérardmer ski area scheduled to open from 19 December 2026, snow permitting.