Inherited from King Henri III, who offered a free fair in memory of the gesture of the Chartrains, who protected him from the Leaguers who entered the capital on May 13, 1588, the Barricades fair is making a comeback after two years of absence. Today, it is no longer a free fair, but a carnival, bringing together more than a hundred attractions.
About sixty fairground families have settled in the Chartrexpo car park, along the road from Paris to Chartres, since the start of the week. Jean Velge has been coming to the carnival “always. When I was a baby, I was already there. People have been coming here for three generations. »
The carnival moved to Chartrexpo in 1978. Before, it was set up near the Morard gate. “My grandfather had a lot of different attractions. In my family, we had fairground theater stands, like the one with Rita, the fattest woman in the world, ”recalls Jean Velge.
In Dreux, the Saint-Denis Fair as an enchanted parenthesis for the inhabitants
A new concept of duck fishing
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With its gigantic duck fishing stand, called Once upon a toyJean Velge is waiting for young and old, after two years without a Chartres carnival.
“During the confinements and closures linked to the Covid, we took the opportunity to refurbish our rides, repaint them. Some carnies have stopped. Maybe 10%. They headed for other trades, such as greengrocers on the markets or road hauliers, because they already had the truck,” he explains. He didn’t give up. “We are ready for the fair with a new duck fishing concept. On 180 m² of stand, we offer peaches, but also 300 references of toys to choose from. »
Recover from your emotions
For the older ones, thrilling attractions await them, such as the Booster, this famous articulated arm at the end of which you can turn 360 degrees. Those who are not shy can also try the Techno power ou l’Extazy. To recover from your emotions, there is the traditional Palace of Laughter on several floors or Pix laser.
This old ghost train has been transformed by its owner into a train mixed with a laser tag, inspired by the Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, at Disneyland Paris.
A new attraction at France Miniature, in the Yvelines
Schedule. Fun fair at Chartrexpo, from Saturday 30 April until Sunday 15 May. Monday to Thursday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to midnight. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Mascots. Performers and Transformers mascots, today and Saturday May 7th and 14th. Fireworks, Friday May 13, at 10 p.m.
Reduction. Reduced price of €1 per carousel ticket, Wednesdays 4 and 11 May. €2 on all rides, Sunday May 15, 2022.
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Claire Beguin
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