Butterflies instead of dragons! Here is the new attraction of the Nigloland park in Aube

Visitors to the Nigloland amusement park in Dolancourt can discover a brand new attraction since Saturday, June 29. For nearly three decades, the Flying Dragons, inaugurated in 1987, have delighted young and old alike as they fly over the park. The valiant dragons have aged and were out of step with this part of the park called “Niglo Forest”, which over the years has incorporated the Noisette Express, the Fairy River and the Z’Abeilles.

Now it’s time for butterflies for a completely redesigned attraction. “We only kept the rail, which we painted green instead of blue,” sighs Brandon Cheddadi, the park’s creative designer. “Patrice and Philippe Gélis, the park’s creators, had been thinking about renovating this attraction for several years,” he continues. Two years ago, Rodolphe Gélis, Philippe’s son and Patrice’s nephew, now the park’s director, launched the project. Assisted by architect Mickaël Sandrin, Brandon Cheddadi drew the first sketches of the Envol des papillons.

“Our aim was to do as much as possible internally.” And then to find companies capable of realising their ideas. The main points of the attraction remain the same: a trip overlooking the park at a senator’s pace to take the time to admire it. But with a higher output and therefore a shorter waiting time compared to the Flying Dragons.

From the queue, the visitor is immersed in the atmosphere by entering the heart of a tree trunk. It is Mamaluga, the new character created for the occasion, who takes care of the reception. “We wanted the journey to the attraction to be part of the experience. We made a special effort on the aesthetics”, says Brandon Cheddadi. Artificial and natural decors mix within this attraction which mobilized many of the park’s vital forces such as gardeners, masons and electricians. For Nigloland regulars, a few references to past attractions have been slipped into the decor.

Help for child victims of abuse

The comfort of the queue, now sheltered in case of rain, was therefore a priority. This was also the case for the vehicles. They are equipped with a roof and sound system. Pierre Le Pape, a musician from Troyes, composed the music for the attraction. This is not his first attempt with Nigloland. “This allows us to have an original melody that is not like what you hear in other amusement parks,” continues Brandon Cheddadi.

No less than 2,500 square meters of sculpted concrete were needed to make the scenery as natural as possible. 4.5 million euros were invested in this new attraction, half of which went into the decoration. A significant sum for the park, but which, given the result and the initial feedback from visitors, was worth it.

Nigloland took advantage of the launch of its new attraction to highlight the association “Les Papillons” which fights against all forms of child abuse by helping to free speech. On Saturday, June 29, flyers were distributed at the entrance to the park and 50 cents per entry recorded that day was donated to the association, or approximately 2,200 euros. In addition, around a hundred park entries were offered to volunteers and children who live near the park.

Next year, a new restaurant, the Terrier, a play area for children aged 0 to 3 and a new character (a rabbit), will expand this enchanted forest.