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MORE THAN A PARK…A STATE OF MIND

We don’t come to the Forestia park “just to work”. We wake up each morning with the desire to help create a vibrant place, in the heart of nature, where humans and animals are of equal importance.

Authenticity, kindness and wellbeing are our priorities.

It’s this shared philosophy that unites us, season after season. And we hope to convey to you our common ethos of respect and positivity as soon as you walk through our doors for your moment of escape.

Solo, as a family or with friends, you’ll have the opportunity to discover our beautiful wildlife park, large adventure park, fabulous restaurant, great playground, modern shop, cool ice cream bar… lodges in the forest and hotel just 2 minutes from the park!

Isn’t life wonderful?!

 

OUR STORY

AN ADVENTURETHROUGH TIME

Since its creation in the early 1970s, Forestia has experienced many changes. This unusual journey, driven by passion, challenges and a love of animals, has transformed a simple game park into a renowned wildlife park committed to animal welfare.

 

1970

CREATION OF A BREEDING PARK

In the early 1970s, a German private investor decided to create a GAME PARK at La Reid, at the foot of the Belgian High Fens. His aim was to raise large game for consumption on the park and to further maximise the return on his investment by opening it up to the public. To achieve his objective, the investor selected a vast and splendid space that would allow him to create the perfect infrastructure for his dual ambition.

 

1985

CREATION OF A GAME PARK

15 years later, due to lack of profit, the investor no longer had the necessary funds to maintain or develop the park. In the meantime, the place had become a popular walking destination for local residents. The business was taken over by the municipal authorities of Theux, which set up the “REGIE COMMUNALE DU PARC A GIBIER”, a municipally-owned enterprise specifically created to manage the park.

This enterprise assigned municipal employees to maintain the park, and decided to entrust the hospitality services to a private operator. These two activities were divided up; even their access was completely separate. Next, the “REGIE” put in a playground.

 

2002

PRIVATISATION

The park was officially privatised on 15 March 2002. Very strict new European legislation regulated the keeping of animals in captivity for tourism or recreational purposes. A meticulous and extremely precise charter established rules on the living conditions of each species in captivity: floor space, available area, temperature, medical supervision, food, possibility of reproduction, isolation, etc. A large proportion of the many investments made since the acquisition were devoted to adapting existing infrastructure to comply with these new European regulations. In 2004, the “WILDLIFE PARK” at La Reid was granted official approval and the title of ZOOLOGICAL PARK by the ANIMAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT of the Belgian Ministry of Health, which it has held ever since.

2007

CHANGE OF NAME AND ADVENTURE PARK

In 2007, the La Reid wildlife park became the Forestia park. We needed to find a name that was simple and easy to pronounce in almost every language. This was also when we created the first 5 treetop adventure trails.

2012

CREATION OF THE FOREST'BAR

In 2012, the old restaurant was completely renovated to welcome friends and families in a cosy and friendly setting. The name was changed, the menus were revised and the opening hours were changed, as the Forest’bar opened its doors to the general public in the evenings on certain days of the week. Until then, it had been reserved for park visitors only, but since 2012 it has been possible to enjoy its fabulous cuisine without paying for admission.

2017

OPENING OF THE FOREST'SHOP

With the aim of keeping up with trends and offering new, fashionable brands to meet the expectations of a varied clientele, our team sought to diversify the shop’s product range. The Forest’shop opened its doors in March 2017. A real shop with access to the playground, to delight little ones (and their mums).

2023

CREATION OF THE WOOD HOTEL & LODGES

After many years of deliberation and intense work, the Forest’team welcomed its first guests to spend a magical night in the heart of the forest in April 2023!

5 lodges scattered throughout the wildlife enclosures and 6 hotel rooms 2 minutes from the park.

Idyllic settings, stunning décor, delicious breakfasts and half board option… What more could you want?

A LIVING PARK... THANKS TO THEM!

It takes a whole team to keep the Forestia reception, woods, offices, enclosures, Forest’bar and Wood Hotel running smoothly. Around 30 staff members divided into 6 sub-teams work each day with a shared mission: to offer you an unforgettable experience in a unique natural setting. But who’s behind all this?

Adrien LAFONTAINE

Animal keeper and technical team. He’s a fan of animals, building things with wood, machinery and nature!

Alysson MARIQUE

Admin and Human Resources, she's a fan of human contact and social relations and loves to travel and explore!

Amandine DUSCHENE

Maintenance of infrastructure and Wood Hotel & Lodges

Antoine LAFONTAINE

Wood Hotel & Lodges Reception & project development. Fan of ChatGPT and Japan!

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Aurélie ROMUALD

Maintenance of infrastructure and the Wood!

Benoît WIRTZ

Technical team and a fan of hiking in the mountains, volleyball, trail running... And sweets from the Forest'shop!

Bernie

We’re always on the lookout for hidden talent, our very own grouchy old bear sorts through your CVs and gets in touch with applicants whose skill sets match our vacant positions.

Brice MATHIEU

Adventure park instructor and surfing and mountaineering enthusiast.

Caroline FRANSEN
Cécile Warnimont

Cécile is our Nature Queen. Our fantastic activity leader takes your children on exciting one- or three-day adventures among the animals, with the help of the animal keepers! She loves wild cooking and forest walks and is in her element with us each summer!

Cédric BOURGUIGNON

In the kitchen! After a few years away, Cédric has is back with our team. This amazing dad and head of a large family loves good food and rising to challenges.

Chloé MARTIN

Maintenance of infrastructure and the Wood! She adores mountains, travel, roads trips, dance, animals... And she has a passion for fries!

Clara BARBETTE

Wood Hotel & Lodges Reception! She loves travelling, gravel and trail riding and outdoor activities. And she adores animals and nature!

Delphine MONVILLE

Receptionist and Forest'shop employee, she loves to travel and explore and is a fan shops and gadgets. She also has a phobia of brown bears! So this is the perfect place for her to work...

Florent HALLEUX

AKA Grandad! A retired forest ranger, Florent has been part of our team from the outset. He loves the animals, particularly the deer, and enjoys imitating the bellowing of the stags during rutting season!

Johan BEMELMANS

Bar and Restaurant. He’s a massive fan of his customers and colleagues! Jojo loves cooking delicious meals and playing board games. He loves his work!

Julia ELSEN

Julia is part of our amazing reception team. She loves activities that get her creative juices flowing, stimulate her brain and is always up for a challenge. And she's never against checking out a good restaurant.

Justine HOTTE

Restaurant employee, she loves interior design and projects, and manages our events to perfection!

Lorin HOST

Adventure park instructor, fan of mountains, climbing, canyoning and mountaineering. And music! Oh and she also loves M&Ms!!

Lucie MOLL

Lucie joined our fantastic reception team this year! She loves travelling, solo or with friends. And she has a passion for colourful clothing. Black? Only in case of wardrobe emergency (laundry disaster).

Madeline CRUCIFIX

As an animal keeper, she naturally loves the animals. She also loves houseplants and dreams of going on a Nordic safari and exploring the Nordic countries.

Mallaury PITZ

In the kitchen! A fan of small elaborate dishes, he prefers the evening service to the lunchtime service. Come and check out his culinary skills!

Margaux LEDAIN

A former student, Margaux has been our head waitress since late 2025. She adores animals and making frothy cappuccinos for customers ♥ She’s also hoping to perfect her coffee art skills!

Mathilde KEMPART

Reception and Forest'shop, horse riding and travel enthusiast!

Nathan DEBATY

One of our animal keepers! He loves animals, climbing and video games, and dreams of exploring Iceland.

Noémi Hennen

Communication & Marketing, she loves writing, exploring, interior design, visual arts and concept stores... and her friends and family of course! She dreams of travelling again and again!

Océane RAMOND

Another of our fabulous animal keepers, she absolutely adores the animals. She also enjoys puzzles and dreams of exploring South Africa.

Ophélie SCHMETZ

Ophé is our admin task pro! She’s super organised and loves running and travelling. She dreams of going on a long trek through Norway!

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Ornella POLIZZI

Maintenance of infrastructure and the Wood!

Philippe LAFONTAINE

The boss! A fan of projects and travel, he loves it when things get busy! As does his little dog, Simone...

Pierre CHOUAK

Adventure park instructor and skydiving, music and padel aficionado.

Thierry GODESAR

Adventure park instructor and climbing and mountain enthusiast! He recently tried skydiving and loves it!

Thomas FAUVIAUX

Technical team and fan of climbing and carpentry!

Virginie VERSCHOORE

As an animal keeper, she absolutely adores animals of course! She also enjoys making things (stained glass, ceramics, plant terrariums). She dreams of exploring New Zealand and Africa.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE PART OF THE ADVENTURE ONE DAY?

Our Forestia team keeps growing each year. Would you like to join us, even for just a season? Take a look at our job vacancies or send us a speculative application.

SEE OUR JOB VACANCIES
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