“The goal is to open twenty parks by 2030”: from the Cévennes, the Jurassic monsters are getting back on their feet

L’un des nombreux dinosaures qui sont illuminés pendant les “Dinofééries”. MIDI LIBRE – Jenny Bernard

Maintenance du dinosaure giganotosaurus. MIDI LIBRE – Jenny Bernard

The giganotosaurus could be up to 13 m long. MIDI LIBRE – Jenny Bernard

Le Humwee de l’armée américaine rappelle les voitures du film “Jurassik park”. MIDI LIBRE – Jenny Bernard

Dinopedia Parc, located near La Grand-Combe, in the Cévennes Gardoises, is experiencing a rebound in attendance thanks to the Dinofééries, nighttime events where visitors encounter illuminated dinosaurs. Meet the director, Philippe Lopez, who has great ambitions…

Arriving in the car park on a Tuesday in August is marked by the presence of the large Tyrannosaurus rex. Further back, several brachiosauruses scrutinize the arrivals, from their 15-metre height. The entrance to Dinopedia Parc in La Grand-Combe is monitored&hellip Open every day during the holidays, the "largest animated dinosaur park in France" is drowning in vegetation. After passing the entrance between gigantic teeth, visitors first follow a track along which runs, below, "the lava river", whose orange-colored waters are fed "by the iron oxide present in the soils of Champclauson". The mining past of the surrounding area is revealed and contributes to the atmosphere of the site.

At any moment, the visitor expects to see an extinct reptile, hidden behind a tree, appear. The sound effects of the site, mixed with those of the scrubland, leave room for the imagination. "More than 140 automated specimens", can be read on the brochure.

Attendance down but saved by nighttime events

With less than two weeks to go before the start of the school year, Philippe Lopez, director of the park, gives an initial update on the number of visitors.“We had a drop in attendance in July of 10 to 15%”, he says.“The one at the beginning of August was also average.” The reason ? For him and several park employees, the Olympic Games are the main reason for this difference in attendance compared to last year. "People were in front of their TV sets", continues the dinosaur enthusiast. "But they make up for it in the second half of the month. For example, we had twice as many entries on Monday, August 19th than last year."

The explanation ? The new feature this summer is the Dinofééries, nighttime evenings that highlight dinosaurs in a "captivating" sound ambiance. “Visitors who come during the day can come back in the evening after a stamp,” he explains.  Karen Chevrier, who works at the “bottom" shop, explains: "The first Dinofééries evenings last Christmas were a success. Philippe therefore wanted to put them back in place this summer."