Visit to Monkey Mountain

by | Updated on 2/11/2023 | Open on sundays, safari parks, With kids | 0 comments

monkeys-peeled-macaques-barbaria

The Monkey Mountain (Montagne des Singes) of Kintzheim in Alsace is a wildlife park with more than 200 free-roaming Barbary macaques (also called magots). A great classic of activities to do with children in Alsace! As an adult, I thought I’d stop by quickly, just to see if the place was nice, and to take some pictures. Yes, but it’s also very nice to visit as an adult… I’ve already been there several times and fall under the spell each time!

Where is the Monkey Mountain?

The Monkey Mountain is located in Kintzheim on the Alsace Wine Route, near Selestat in the Bas-Rhin. Be careful not to confuse with Kientzheim which is in the Haut-Rhin.

Where to see monkeys in the wild in France?

To see monkeys in freedom, go to the Monkey Mountain in Alsace! The great particularity of the Monkey Mountain is that the animals are free in a 24-hectare park, in which you move as a visitor on a path that occupies only a tiny space of the park. Nothing to do with a zoo, there is no cage here! The monkeys are free in the forest and can either approach visitors or be quiet, they have real space and are not forced to “suffer” from visitors coming to see them. Some of them come to watch the tourists passing by while others play, take a nap or take a shower further away.

Visit the Monkey Mountain Park in Alsace

To visit the Monkey Mountain is to immerse yourself in their fascinating world. It is very pleasant to spend time observing the monkeys, photographing them, reading the signs describing their way of life, the conservation of the species, their eating habits and their social behavior and… giving them popcorn. Yes, a handful of popcorn is distributed to visitors at the entrance, popcorn that can be freely given to the macaques of the Monkey Mountain. The monkeys are impressively delicate with adults and children alike: you hand them the popcorn, they quietly extend their arm to take it delicately and bring it to their mouth. Nothing to do with the memories of monkeys you may have in Asia, where they are pilferers. At Monkey Mountain, they are really zen and friendly. A magical time for young and old alike!

The macaques are great fun to watch. we discover the life of the males, the females and their young. They kiss, play, chase each other in the bushes

The place itself is also very pleasant, with its path winding through the forest and offering a pleasant shade in hot weather. Something tells me that at the bend of a path, you could also see a nice view of the Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle

A place for the conservation of Barbary macaques

Certainly a tourist site in Alsace,the Monkey Mountain is also an important place of storage and a dedicated reserve, where the macaques can evolve in an environment close to their wild life, since the species of Barbary macaques was classified in 2008 as endangered on the red list of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). The park intends to make the public aware of all the problems of safeguarding the species and work for its conversation.

Guides are present throughout the park and available to answer questions. It is interesting to have their insight on the specific behaviors of the magots we observe! The guides also provide monkey feeding sessions at regular intervals during the day (every 45 minutes or so), which is always fun to see!

Magic, emotions, encounters, awareness and peaceful walk are waiting for you at the Monkey Mountain in Alsace! Personally, I love this place and I think it will be an unforgettable experience for your kids 🙂

Length of visit: how long for the Monkey Mountain?

It takes about 2 hours of visit to cover the 800m long path, time to make many breaks to observe the monkeys which are very fun to watch!

Count on more time if you are with your family and your children want to take advantage of the playground that you will find on site, but also of the fun course for families “In the skin of a monkey”, where they can move like monkeys!

Monkey Mountain, Volerie des Aigles and Haut-Koenigsbourg

The Monkey Mountain is located right next to another famous animal park in Alsace, the Volerie des Aigles, as well as the Haut-Koenigsbourg castle, a must-see in Alsace. I advise you to take the opportunity to visit all three, they are all worth it!

I liked

  • To be able to observe the monkeys closely in their daily activities
  • Being able to give popcorn to monkeys!
  • Walk at my own pace in the park
  • Partner of the Pass Alsace

I liked less

  • Nothing!

My photos of the Monkey Mountain

Practical information

Rates, opening hours and tickets

You will find here the schedule and prices of the Monkey Mountain.

For Pass Alsace holders, the entrance is free!

Animations

Feeding sessions take place regularly (about every 3/4 of an hour).

For children, a free treasure hunt is available at the entrance of the park. There are also

Access:how to get to the monkey mountain?

By car

The address is as follows: La Montagne des Singes – Lieu-dit La Wick – 67600 Kintzheim, which is located in:

  • 26km from Colmar (about 30 minutes)
  • 58km from Strasbourg (about 50 minutes)
  • 68km from Mulhouse (about 50 minutes)

Be careful, do not confuse Kintzeim with Kientzheim! Yes, it is

t a nice trap, I grant you!

By public transport

The line 500 of the network 67 “Navette du Haut Koenigsbourg” serves the Monkey Mountain in 20 minutes from the station of Selestat. Attention, it does not circulate every day. I invite you to consult the operating days and schedules of the 500 line.

To calculate your route from your starting point, the site Fluo Grand Est is very well done!

The good news: the shuttle costs 2,50€ but the price of the entrance ticket is in this case reduced by 1€ (reduced rate instead of full rate)

Where to eat? Restoration at the Monkey Mountain

A small restaurant with snacks is located at the entrance to Monkey Mountain and is open continuously throughout the day. I have not tested it. Otherwise, a picnic area is available at the entrance of the park.

 

Laurène

Laurène

Laurène est la créatrice du blog Mon week-end en Alsace. Bretonne installée en Alsace depuis 2014, elle est tombée amoureuse de sa région d'adoption au point de lui dédier un blog et d'acheter avec son mari une maison alsacienne dans un village du Kochersberg, près de Strasbourg. A pied, à vélo, sur ses chevaux ou au volant de sa voiture, elle aime partir explorer les moindres recoins de l'Alsace pour dénicher de bonnes adresses à partager sur le blog.

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