Small amusement parks, more accessible, attract more and more families

While the summer holidays can weigh heavily on the family budget, the small amusement parks are pulling out of the game. Cheaper, more accessible, they offer a day of pleasure without financial stress. Example at Papéa Park, near Le Mans.

Not a lot of waiting in front of the two boxes open at the entrance. However, arrivals are continuously. Children run around thirty rides from Papéa Park in Yvré-l’Evêque, a neighboring town of Le Mans. A carousel, roller coaster, an aquatic space. There is everything and that’s what appeals to Sabrina. “It’s a small park, not too large but not too smallshe explains. There is a big age difference between our children and we are looking for activities that can please them all, it is not easy. Here, it appeals to everyone. “

The price is the other advantage for this family from Blois, in Loir-et-Cher. Hatem takes out his entry ticket. They paid 124.90 euros. “For five, 120 euros, it’s nothing at all. I think it’s not even two places for Disney”Indicates Hatem. “We cannot afford a Disney every year, because financially, we are five and it’s a budget, when we do not ask ourselves the question. We know that in July-August, we will come to Papéa”adds Sabrina.

Affordable prices consistent with the size of the park, estimates Michael, cap of the Asterix park on the head: “This is cheaper but the park is small. For children, it’s very good. When we go to Asterix Park, we go there for several days. We love it, it’s really great and we don’t find that so expensive. It is comparing a Ferrari with a 2CV. A 2CV, it’s fun and beauty, and Ferrari is power. It is not the same price.”

The Papéa Paye strategy. The 24 hectare site now has 200,000 admissions per year, against 30,000 18 years ago. Florian, the director, takes care to offer affordable prices for these families who come almost entirely from the Sarthe or the neighboring departments. “Life is expensive, alas, for everyone, even for medium -sized parks like ourshe explains. We pay very attention to our prices. “

“We also take care of the tariffs of internal expenses of our visitors. That is to say that we will not increase the prices of the catering and we pay attention to our prices in our shops, precisely to remain accessible.”

Florian, director of the Papéa park

in franceinfo

In this strategy, the park has seven restoration places, but also a large picnic area where everyone can bring back their cooler and food. “Inevitably, we would prefer that people consume with usadmits the director. But bringing back your picnic for some people, if we did not allow it that might handicap us on the frequentation of the park. “

And it is not Hatem and Sabrina du Loir-et-Cher, in the midst of a lunch break, which will say the opposite. They brought back their chips, cherry tomatoes and sandwiches. “In terms of savings, this is unbeatable”explains Sabrina. Which allows the family to afford some extras like “Ice or drinks”Hatem list. And Sabrina add: “All that children are going to ask us, we are not going to refuse them. No matter what they are going to ask us in addition, we do not refuse, we can afford it.”

Despite a somewhat rainy month of July, Papéa recorded a 10% increase in its visitors this year, while the sector is rather a drop in attendance in France.