REPORT. "It's great for kids": Small, more accessible amusement parks are attracting more and more families.

While summer vacations can be a drain on family budgets, small amusement parks are making their mark. Less expensive and more accessible, they offer a day of fun without financial stress. Take Papéa Park, near Le Mans, for example.

There's not much of a wait at the two ticket booths open at the entrance. Yet, arrivals are continuous. Children run toward the thirty or so rides at Papéa Park in Yvré-L'Evêque, a neighboring town of Le Mans. A carousel, roller coasters, a water park. There's everything, and that's what Sabrina likes. "It's a small park, not too big but not too small ," she explains. "There's a big age difference between our children, and we look for activities that will appeal to all of them; it's not easy. Here, everyone enjoys it."

The price is the other advantage for this family from Blois, in Loir-et-Cher. Hatem takes out his entrance ticket. They paid 124.90 euros. "For five, 120 euros, it's nothing at all. I don't think it's even two tickets to Disney," says Hatem. "We can't afford a Disney every year, because financially, there are five of us and it's a budget, whereas here we don't ask ourselves the question. We know that in July-August, we're going to come to Papéa," adds Sabrina.

Affordable prices in line with the size of the park, says Michael, wearing a Parc Astérix cap. : "This one is cheaper but the park is small. For children, it's very good. When we go to Parc Astérix, we go for several days. We love it, it's really great and we don't find it that expensive. It's like comparing a Ferrari with a 2CV. A 2CV is fun and beautiful, and the Ferrari is powerful. It's not the same price."

Papéa's strategy is paying off. The 24 site hectares now number 200 000 entries per year, compared to 30 000 18 ago years old. Florian, the director, makes sure to offer affordable prices for these families, who come almost entirely from Sarthe or neighboring departments. "Life is expensive, unfortunately, for everyone, even for medium-sized parks like ours ," he explains. "We pay close attention to our prices."

"We're also keeping an eye on our visitors' internal spending. That is, we're not going to increase restaurant prices, and we're paying attention to our prices in our stores, precisely to remain affordable."

Florian, director of Papéa Park

to franceinfo

As part of this strategy, the park has seven dining options, as well as a large picnic area where everyone can bring their own cooler and food. "Obviously, we would prefer that people eat at home ," admits the director. "But if we didn't allow some people to bring their own picnic, it might hinder our park attendance."

And Hatem and Sabrina from Loir-et-Cher, on their lunch break, wouldn't disagree. They brought their chips, cherry tomatoes, and sandwiches. "In terms of savings, that's unbeatable," explains Sabrina. This allows the family to treat themselves to a few extras like "ice cream or drinks," lists Hatem. And Sabrina adds: "We won't refuse anything the children ask us for. No matter what extra they ask us for, we won't refuse, we can afford it."

Despite a somewhat rainy July, Papéa recorded a 10% increase in visitors this year, while the sector is experiencing a decline in attendance in France.