"'Join the army!' they said, 'Join the army!'".This disillusioned phrase uttered by Roman legionaries subjected to the brutal treatment dished out by our indomitable Gauls has become part of our daily language. But can you imagine for one moment having a chance to sign up for the Legion, like Asterix and Obelix do in Asterix the Legionary?… You certainly can now, thanks to the opening of "Le défi de César" (Caesar's Challenge), a new attraction at Parc Astérix, in which you will play Gaulish double agents bent on spoiling dear old Julius's plans, under the watchful eyes of Asterix and Obelix. A truly thrilling attraction, "Le défi de César" promises to whisk you away into the comic book world, giving you a unique chance to test your ability as a legionary in an action-packed adventure. In keeping with Julius Caesar's traditional ploys, you can expect scheming and manipulation to be on the agenda, but this time you're the hero! Your mission is to infiltrate Asterix's village and to subject the indomitable Gauls to the might of the Roman army! In fact, on 23 April 2008 a very special aspiring legionary found his way into Parc Astérix: Albert Uderzo himself was on hand to try out this new attraction! To begin with, he discovers that not just anyone can be one of dear old Julius' secret agents: 4 interactive challenges await to determine if the candidate is of the same steely mettle as the elite centurions. "All that just to crumple into a heap once Obelix deals his first blow…", Albert thinks aloud with a smile. 
The first challenge is to get dressed up as a proper double agent. Gaulish moustaches, and braids are the order of the day, reminding Albert Uderzo of the "Gaulish" make-up with which Caligula Minus experimented when he became Caliguliminix in the album Asterix the Gaul. Next comes the meeting with Caesar, naturally a bit intimidating, although not for Asterix and Obelix who observe the proceedings with some amusement… They're already familiar with dear old Julius's airs and graces after all! Albert Uderzo pauses to note his appreciation for Caesar's voice, provided by Robert Hossein, while Jean-Marie Bigard lends his voice to a Roman centurion.  Infiltrating the "Crazy Gaul's Village" requires some preparation since the tasks, original and fearsome, follow each other thick and fast. Will you be able, for example, to resist Cacofonix's singing exercises? One can see what starts to make people fear that the sky will fall on their head! They're not wrong: "Le défi de César" is an attraction which employs cutting-edge druid and artistic technology, with plenty of thrills and spills. Water and special effects (morphing, animatronics, etc.) have been combined to exploit interactivity to the full, in a show directed by Alain Sachs with original music by Patrice de Peyrieras. But we've saved the best for last: a trip aboard a Roman galley. And not just any galley: this one, built by scientists from Caesar's inner circle, makes it possible to reach the Asterix Village without incurring any damage. But this is notwithstanding our heroes Asterix and Obelix, who never spurn an opportunity to have fun with the Romans! The journey promises to be eventful, very eventful; this is no place for the seasick, for the love of Gaul!  And then comes the moment of truth. The Parc Astérix management holds their breath, awaiting the verdict from the "maestro" himself. The suspense is unbearable, the silence so heavy you could hear the buzzing of the carrier fly belonging to spy druid Dubbelosix! Albert Uderzo beams: "It's fantastic!", he declares, provoking an outbreak of backslapping and laughter from one and all.
"Le défi de César" will immerse you completely in the world of your favourite comic book, where you will take Asterix and Obelix's side more than ever in an adventure that Julius Caesar will certainly want to repeat! In fact, the first visitors quickly decide to join up again… in the queue for another round of this spectacular new show!Discover the video of "Le défi de César" at www.parcasterix.fr. |
Monday 19 May 2008
Albert Uderzo faces up to "Le défi de César" (Caesar's Challenge)
Monday 2 October 2006
Druids having fun at Parc Asterix!
As everyone has known since Asterix and the Goths, Druids know how to have fun. Every year, in the Forest of Carnutes, they meet to compare their methods and argue over the Druid of the Year competition...which Getafix wins every time! Faithful to this ancient tradition, Parc Asterix is organising the Druid Festival from 20th September to 15th October.On the agenda: Druid initiation, Golden Menhir competition (obviously), and a big magic show. Some good news: unlike the gathering in the Forest of Carnutes, non-Druids are welcome at Parc Asterix. However, we will see to it personally that Prefix, the druid who makes it rain all through the year, doesn’t spoil the party!
Obi
Tuesday 6 June 2006
The force is with Parc Asterix
Back in May, the respected British broadsheet The Independent did an excellent job picking France's top leisure park… Have you guessed? The paper's reporter went straight to the point by calling the article "Gaul Force": you can forget the other parks in Gaul, for this reporter, Parc Astérix is the only one worth visiting. The British have got great taste, don't you think? In all regards (rides, thrills, layout, atmosphere, food) the reporter believes the Park situated to the north of Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport to be undoubtedly the best destination, especially as it can be seen in just one day! However the reporter did have one criticism about the show Main basse sur la Joconde (Mona Lisa Goes Missing), wondering what exactly the theme has to do with Asterix… We discreetly put the question to the Park's new management, who intend once and for all to make this magical place into THE Park dedicated to Asterix and his friends. A little more effort and papers from all over the world will be writing the same thing as The Independent! The roving Viking show at the Park is already a first step towards more craziness, fun and adventures at the Park - which is still holding out, now and forever!
Thursday 6 April 2006
Parc Asterix will be giving you timandahaf!
At Parc Astérix, everything has changed and everything has remained the same. Everything is the same in that you will still find that special ambience that delivers the joy, active entertainment,
fun and games that no other park can offer.
Everything has changed since the future of the park, founded in 1989 by Albert Uderzo and his team at that time, is now in the hands of a new management team.
New management means a new approach, and the men and women who are toiling at this location 30 km north of Paris are very close to and protective of the values conveyed by our little guy with the moustache.
The first evidence of this is a new advertising campaign! I can't resist giving you a sneak preview of the giant posters that will be adorning subway stations, not to mention the radio spots that will have you rolling on the floor: one is about a pilot who has had a bit too much oxygen and the other about those blond Vikings. Enjoy and go in peace, my friends!
A new street show at the park will offer a special telling of the story of Justforkix and his Viking fiancée. There will be stunts, marionettes, song and dance, hucksters, and more. Everything it takes to entertain the Gaulish crowds.
And you will get an exclusive peek at construction pictures of the longship that is to serve as the stage!
New management means a new approach, and the men and women who are toiling at this location 30 km north of Paris are very close to and protective of the values conveyed by our little guy with the moustache.
The first evidence of this is a new advertising campaign! I can't resist giving you a sneak preview of the giant posters that will be adorning subway stations, not to mention the radio spots that will have you rolling on the floor: one is about a pilot who has had a bit too much oxygen and the other about those blond Vikings. Enjoy and go in peace, my friends!
A new street show at the park will offer a special telling of the story of Justforkix and his Viking fiancée. There will be stunts, marionettes, song and dance, hucksters, and more. Everything it takes to entertain the Gaulish crowds.
And you will get an exclusive peek at construction pictures of the longship that is to serve as the stage!
Wednesday 14 April 2004
The fifteen-year anniversary of Parc Astérix
From 1989 to 2004 makes fifteen years!
Yes, it has already been fifteen years that an "Amusement Village" to the north of Paris, at the border of the Picardie region, has been valiantly resisting the menace of boredom that has sadly invaded our globalised world! This year, Parc Asterix has renovated and enhanced Asterix's Village to restore it to its place as a must-see attraction. The park draws more than two million visitors per year. Festivities and banquets have been scheduled throughout the season - something to appeal to every stripe of visitor who may be strolling along the Via Antiqua! On my latest visit, I wasn't brave enough to take another whirl on Goudurix, the big roller coaster. My wife called me a coward. I told her that I would veni and vici! Now I'll have to - whew! that park can be a tough place for guys!