“Man’s greatest enemy”, the wolf has been associated with many legends for thousands of years. It was also the first animal to be domesticated by man, at least 33,000 years ago, gradually becoming the dog we know today. In the past, dogs were part of everyday life in Lozère, where they were the subject of many tales and frightening anecdotes. It appears, however, that the number of attacks on humans was extremely rare, and that they probably occurred during long, freezing winters, or when incessant warfare left unburied corpses in their wake, giving them a taste for human flesh.
Gévaudan wolf.Gévaudan wolf.|
Discover
The wolf
Emblematic animal of the GévaudanThe wolf in Lozère
Loups Du Gévaudan, the Loups du Gévaudan park is located near Marvejols in the Lozère region of France.The Parc des Loups du Gévaudan features 5 wolf subspecies (Mongolian, Siberian, Polish, Canadian and Arctic).|
Parc des loups du GévaudanParc des loups du Gévaudan
Wolf rehabilitation
The wolf had almost entirely disappeared from Lozère by the 1930s, having been decimated by the population, which considered it a nuisance. Officially, the last wolf to be killed in Lozère was on June 20, 1977 in the commune of Les Salces by a Lozère farmer. Italian wolves then returned to France via the Alps and gradually spread across the country.
Visit the Gévaudan wolves.Visit the Gévaudan wolves.|
LET YOUR IMAGINATION RUN WILD
Still, on the wild Aubrac plateau, the dark forests that were home to packs of wolves seemed quite hostile to the lone traveler.
Imagine crossing this wild territory at nightfall, to the sound of howling wolves in the moonlight…
Les loups du Gévaudan" wildlife park in Margeride. Guided tours.Les loups du Gévaudan" wildlife park in Margeride. Guided tours.
DID YOU KNOW?
In the wild, gray wolves live between 5 and 6 years, most often dying as a result of hunting or other wolves, while in captivity they can sometimes live to over 15 years.
Characteristics of the wolf
Wolves are found on many continents. Like all other subspecies, the European gray wolf has a highly developed social life. They live in packs of 4 to 6 individuals on average, spread over a territory of 200 to 300km². The pack is highly hierarchical: it is led by a monogamous “dominant” couple, who remain together for the rest of their lives.
The Gévaudan Wolf Park
The Parc des Loups du Gévaudan, at Sainte-Lucie in the commune of Saint-Léger-de-Peyre, invites you to discover the emblematic animal of Gévaudan: the wolf. Through guided or self-guided tours, discover the 5 subspecies of wolf through an informative and entertaining trail from which you can observe them. There’s also a panoramic view of the surrounding area, a snack bar and souvenir store. This park is one of Lozère’s must-sees!
Visit the new Parc des Loups du Gévaudan.Visit the new Parc des Loups du Gévaudan.|
Wolves in the Gévaudan wolf park.Wolves in the Gévaudan wolf park.|
- Where is the Gévaudan Wolf Park?
In Sainte-Lucie, not far from Marvejols. In the commune of Saint-Léger-de-Peyre.
- Are dogs allowed?
For reasons of hygiene, dogs are not allowed in the park.
Prepare
