THE ASTERIX PARK: SECRETS OF A FRENCH SUCCESS | M6 | Zone Interdite

The Asterix Park is second only to Disneyland as the most visited theme park in France. It has broken records for the last three years. Competition between Mickey’s kingdom and the Gallic village is hot and this year Asterix is going flat out to score points! Top-to-bottom renovation, a hotel and new attractions: to celebrate its thirtieth anniversary the park has pulled out all the stops! Even if it means copying the American giant’s model, like a grand parade or the ubiquitous presence of mascots to entertain visitors. For the teams, the challenge is a big one and they have no margin for error because the management has invested 30 million Euros¾25% of annual revenues¾in the this major make-over. Leading the charge is manager Sébastien, 49, a demanding man who learned the business at, notably, the Pay du Fou. Here, he’s ever-present: between dealing with the glitches on the 4D “Beware Menhir” new feature, or breakdowns on some of the attractions, he also has to manage the arrival of a stream of VIPs for the park’s anniversary: Sophie Thalmann, Patrice Candelero, Benjamin Castaldi or Arnaud Ducret. For the manager, this summer is the season with all the risks! He can rely on Yun, a female South-Korean choreographer. This martial arts expert has to orchestrate an epic brawl between Romans and Gauls in the park’s arena… and she has the difficult task of mounting a parade that can rival that of neighbouring Paris Disneyland… to compete with the enormous resources of the American giant, the little Gallic park will need to demonstrate lots of imagination! There’s also pressure bearing on  the shoulders of Leslie, 29, a newcomer actress, who is the heroine of the arena show, the biggest in the park. During twenty-five minutes of stunts, she has to appear and disappear in a long dress in every corner of the arena. What Leslie dreads most for her grand premier, is to miss the timing of her entrances, which is scheduled to the second. For this anniversary year, the Asterix park is keeping a wonderful surprise in reserve for its visitors. Every evening this summer, it is inviting them to stay and dine around the notorious Gauls’ banquet. The banquet is a novelty that is extremely risky to organise: roast wild boar, mead and hanging bard! A challenge for the catering teams! For three months we followed the everyday rehearsals, stresses and unforeseen events of this great family of Gauls, which through hard work and ingenuity makes the Asterix Park the second favourite theme park among the French!