Parc Astérix is adding a new roller coaster designed by Jora Vision for Compagnie des Alpes, with a Greek mythology theme.
The coaster, manufactured by Gerstlauer, was planned within the Ancient Greece-themed section of the park. In the story, guests board the express train of ancient times, called Pégase Express, and make a round trip through the landscape. A track close to one kilometre in length has riders zoom past the Romus and Rapidus attraction, crash into a billboard, and finally enter the Temple of Medusa.
A great deal of the attraction’s storytelling occurs in the queue and loading station, which exist inside the monumental Gare Montparnassos, a nod to the famous Parisian train station as well as the eponymous Greek mountain. Guests will encounter countless jokes and references in its concourses and ticket halls in keeping with the style of Asterix. Magazine stands nod to current publications, ticket booths showcase familiar modern-day commuter struggles and posters even announce an upcoming tunnel to Londinium.
“The strength of our design team, I believe, is the synergy between different expertises,” explained Jan Maarten de Raad, CEO of Jora Vision. “For Pégase Express, we had architects, illustrators, graphic designers and a creative director working together. It is key to us that our designs — which come with new innovations and challenges each time — are feasible, technically as well as budget-wise. We plan construction and execution costs right from the preliminary design phase. If you look at the current construction photos of Pégase Express, you’ll see only a few differences with the concept design. That makes us very proud indeed!”
Pégase Express is scheduled to open in June.