The rutting season begins at the Domaine in mid-October and concerns cervids. The estate has around 30 stags, fallow deer, hinds, doe and small fawns spread over 2 huge parks. The period may change from year to year, as this is a natural phenomenon.
What is the stag?
It’s the call deer make to attract the attention of females during mating season. It’s also a cry of intimidation aimed at other males.
For fallow deer , it’s called the Raire. It has the same function, but is much weaker.
What happens in the parks of the Domaine?
In the wild, the cervids are more virulent at night and in the morning, however our animals are used to the peaceful presence of the customers and it enables you to witness the stag and hear the male’s scream even during the day.
The more coiffed ones try to intimidate the young daguets, but the competition is serious. They have their work cut out for them day and night to win the dominant male status this year: the one who can mate with all the females.
The fights cannot be avoided. A lot of customers will have the chance to hear the woods clash from their cabin.
The animal carers of the Domaine also have a lot to do: Fences need to be checked several times a day. Also, two males can sometimes get stuck together when they tangle their antlers or seriously injure each other, which can lead to severe exhaustion and even death (just like in the wild).
It’s a physically demanding period, when the animals eat almost nothing and have no rest; they can lose up to 20 kg. The young males have their best chance at the end of the rut, when the old males, exhausted, can no longer look after their entire herd of up to ten females.
Did you know?
The fertile period for hinds and daines is very short, lasting less than a day. Males, on the other hand, can mate for almost a month.
The rut is almost over, and the exhausted males are preparing for winter. Caught females are already entering the gestation period (8 months). From now on, for all of them, their occupation is to eat and sleep!
Nature has thought of everything. At this time of year, there’s a wealth of food available. We therefore invite you, dear holidaymakers , to go foraging on the estate and collect acorns and chestnuts to feed them: they love them!
We close on November 02, 2025, and the last visitors will marvel at the splendid autumn colors that cover the Domaine and the unique atmosphere of our animal parks during this period!
There’s still some availability for a stay in September or October, and especially during the All Saints’ vacation period, so take advantage of our current promotions on camping or in an unusual lodge.