In 2009, Frédéric and Marie Guilbert opened their first corn maze in Sarzeau, in Morbihan. They now have 23. Sites that offer visitors the pleasure of getting lost, wandering and finding their way in the shade of giant cereals.
This summer, the shoot was complicated. First there were the crows which devoured the seeds, then the incessant rains in June which made it difficult to access the fields. But there it is, the stalks of corn are teasing the sky. The first visitors can enter the labyrinths.
Before the small seed of the idea germinated in his mind, Frédéric Guilbert worked in the animation of leisure parks.
In 2009, he opened a first maze in a cornfield in Sarzeau. Very quickly, a second arrived. Today, Pop corn labyrinth has 23 fields, some of which are franchised. In 2019, its labyrinths welcomed more than 100,000 visitors.
Months of work for a few hours of fun
Every year, work begins in winter. Frédéric and Marie go in search of farmers who would be up for the project. They need plots of 3 or 4 hectares, close to tourist places or big cities to have a good number of people. When an operator agrees, they sign a one-year trial with him, then a 5-year provisioning contract. The field remains and will remain a field.
Then, Frédéric draws each labyrinth, according to the topography of the site. And when the plants come out of the ground, he will pull up the corn stalks following his sketches. When they reach 1 meter 80, the maze is ready, the game can begin!
© DR
–
The happiness of getting lost
Ewen has come with his mum and granny and is delighted to get lost in the corn taller than him. He will have to solve 7 puzzles to get out of the labyrinth, their survival depends on it!
Between two rows, you sometimes have to stop to count the number of stars, books, mushrooms, potions. So many clues to have a chance to get out of the labyrinth. A little vacation homework in the fields in the sun, with my feet on the ground.
While Ewen is scratching his head to answer the questions, the corn will continue to grow. In September, when it will be even higher, the farmer will be able to harvest it. He will obviously be compensated for all the plants uprooted and his field will have nourished both the bellies and the adventure dreams of young and old.
Next year, new courses in new fields will await adventurers. Frédéric and Marie now dream of going to draw their strange paths in other European countries, in Switzerland and in Spain. New playgrounds for their audience, as well as for them!
video length: 01 min 51
–
Corn maze
–
–
