It’s always the same trick and, every time, it has its effect. Suddenly, a man with a chainsaw, dripping blood behind his leather mask, emerges from a warehouse and begins chasing visitors through the hallways, armed with his buzzing machine. All around there is commotion, there are screams of fear, there is pushing in all directions: the actor, on duty in Asterix Park during this Halloween season, plays his role as a monster to the fullest, even if that means leaving some people scared. children in their path.
From a bench, Tiffany Mahias watches the spectacle with an amused air. “I often come to Parc Astérix, just with my mother. We love the atmosphere. My husband and father aren’t too interested in that. It’s our little pleasure.”comments this 34-year-old hairdresser, who lives in Mogneville, in the Oise. “We used to do Disney, but it became too expensive. What we like is that we come in and forget about our worries”continues her mother, Catherine, who, like her daughter, wore a “Parc Asterix” sweatshirt for the day.
Change of scenery, laughter and adrenaline: thirty-five years after its opening, in 1989, the formula of Asterix Park continues to seduce. The site, owned by the Compagnie des Alpes, registered 2.8 million entries between October 2023 and September 2024, a figure very similar to that of the previous year, the highest in its history. Asterix thus occupies second place among the most popular parks in France, tied this year with Puy du Fou. But far behind Disneyland-Paris, with its 10 million annual visitors. Its strengths: new features every year (this year, “La Tour de Numérobis” and a musical) and multiple exciting attractions, popular with teenagers and young people. Its weak points: its lack of accessibility outside the car and an offer perceived as less suitable for young children.
Furthermore, despite the price increases, Asterix Village remains more affordable than Mickey’s Kingdom: during these All Saints’ holidays, admission costs 62 euros per adult (+ 20% in five years) compared to 124 euros for access. to both Disneyland parks. And, in this period of stress on purchasing power, that matters. “I love Disneyland, I think it’s my favorite park, but I don’t go anymore because of the prices”It evokes Mina, 23, from the queue of a haunted house prepared for Halloween. A dog trainer in Villeneuve-le-Roi (Val-de-Marne), she came with her student brother, Liam, and her mother, Peggy. “We got places at 37 euros thanks to my company committee”mentions the latter, head of department in a structure for disabled people.
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