There are plenty of places to stay in La Flèche from gorgeous b&bs, hotels, even a free place to park your camper van (with free electricity) right on the pretty river front. However for something completely different and slightly wild you can sleep in La Flèche's famous zoo!
There are ten lodges dotted around La Flèche zoo overlooking various enclosures such as the tigers, wolves or lemurs. My favourite though is the brand new luxury lodge which is inside the polar bear pen. The window of the lodge dips into the pool and just as I’m looking out Taiko the enormous male swims right up to the window. Kati the female lounges at the side of the pool staring across at us. The bears seem just as curious at these strange animals who appear to be as much in a confined space as they are. They’re not wrong about that aspect either. At night when the zoo is closed and everyone has
gone home, the electric gates to the lodge are locked and you, the guest are shut in the zoo as much as the lions you hear roar, the elephants who trumpet and the monkey who chatter and laugh excitedly at having the place to themselves.
Unlike the animals, human guests have a rather charming terrace with a hot tub, separated from the bears by a huge glass screen and food is not slung over the fence but delivered from a Michelin star restaurant in town.
Everything in the lodge has been made by the zoo’s staff but don't let that fool you into thinking it’s homespun plain and simple. The lodge oozes chic style, the attention to detail is incredible and the ambience is amazing.
Not surprisingly, at just Euros199 per person for 4 people per night out of peak season which includes a delicious breakfast and the Michelin star meal, it’s no wonder you have to book way in advance.
Room with a view in a zoo