It shines with its golden reflections, it turns to the sound of Parisian classics, it brings joy to the sad hearts of this confined winter. Since Wednesday morning, the old Trocadéro carousel (Paris, 16th century) has taken up residence in the courtyard of the Briarde farm, a stone’s throw from the town hall of Pontault-Combault. Replaced by a newer one at the foot of the Eiffel Tower a year ago, it has been renovated and refinished in the hangars of the Clesse family, storage neighbors, in Pontault, of their famous colleague Marcel Campion.
It is therefore up to the children, or even to the adults who benefit from the same price, to choose between the proud horses, the small plane, the hot-air balloon or the somewhat anachronistic motorcycle and to plunge during three minutes of happiness into a dreamlike world. “Adults don’t like motorcycles because they are more modern, but children do! It’s a must, ”laughs Didier Clesse.
“People are in love with rides”
No downtime this morning, families follow one another, delighted to benefit from an animation. “It’s good to see beautiful things, loose Mamie Coco, who came with Livia 5 years old. At the moment, we don’t have much to do to amuse the little ones ”. And for many, it takes at least three rounds of the merry-go-round to satisfy their thirst for entertainment.
“It’s going fast, there are lots of colors, it was great,” enthuses Guiliana, 8, who shared bursts of laughter with her sister Maëlla, 4. The adults are also won over. The bride and groom have already planned to immortalize the happiest day of their life in the coach. “We have married people who took the photos at the Trocadéro who want to come back here to take pictures again”, rejoices Didier Clesse.
For the mayor (PS) Gilles Bord, “there is a real expectation”. “There was always a line for the merry-go-round set up for Christmas. People are in love with the merry-go-rounds, he assures, while sketching a few waltz steps on the accordion notes that make the carousel spin. It is an advantage to have this beautiful merry-go-round which has a history with Paris ”. Because the elected representative wishes to continue efforts in terms of local animation. “Animation is life,” smiles the former international handball referee. And right now, we have to take care of people psychologically and especially children ”. And to those who are already wondering how long the merry-go-round will stay, he replies: “one year, two years, years I hope!” “.
Carrousel, open every day from 11 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., courtyard of the Briarde farm in Pontault-Combault. Prices: 2.50 euros, 10 euros for six tours.
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