I first went to the 🌈 Grand Parc d’Andilly (back then known as the 🌈 Parc des Épouvantails) a few years ago, when I accompanied my elder son’s school class on his sortie de fin de l’année scolaire.

I’ll admit that I hadn’t heard much about it until that point and when I heard that it was a fun park ” inhabited by resident scarecrows “, I was expecting something a little spooky!

I could not have been more incorrect! The scarecrows are all very friendly and the park is – quite simply – AMAZING! 

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What is Le Grand Parc d’Andilly ?

☀️ Grand Parc d’Andilly en été

So what exactly is 🌈 Le Grand Parc d’Andilly ? It is a family amusement park, set across 12 hectares, located in a magical spot in 🌳 the countryside in Andilly; indeed inhabited by scarecrows, but very friendly ones! Do not go expecting 🎢 roller coasters and adrenalin rides . . . no, this is 🎠 good old-fashioned fun: family games, just giant-sized! The park is landscaped within a 🌳 forest – La Forêt des Moulins – with ambling paths that are easy for buggies and 💦 little lakes here and there . . . The ambience is magical, welcoming  . . . around every corner is a surprise, so I won’t give it all away in this article!

One of the added bonuses for a summer visit is that, being located within 🌳 a forest, there is plenty of shade to be found!

[ NB – if you have ever been to 🎪 Les Grandes Médiévales d’Andilly, you will notice that this medieval extravaganza it is located within the same park! ]

⛄️ NEW – Grand Parc d’Andilly de Noël

The park is now open from late October (Toussaint holidays), through until 🎄 the Christmas holidays, with a Christmas theme! You’ll find: Père Noël, Mr Père Fouettard, Mr Père Gourmand and Casse-Noisette – ” Décors magiques, lumières scintillantes, ambiance chocolat et vin chaud, patinoire, labyrinthe dans les arbres. “.

[ ⇒ see here for more information about the Grand Parc de Noël ]

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Les Épouvantails (scarecrows)

Every summer, a host of scarecrows (122 of them, apparently!) take residence in the park. They create a whole village, and each has his own job or leisure pursuit! You’ll find: 👩‍🏫 a teacher, ✉️ a postman, 👨‍🚒 a fireman, 🎶 musicians . . . you’ll even find some having a Zumba class!

These scarecrows don’t scare!

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Activities & Games

Throughout the park you will find all sorts of 🤹‍♀️ GAMES and ACTIVITIES . . . some old family favourites, but in giant form! Our favourites? The Jeu de l’Oie géant, Les Hommes Forts, the wheel barrow race (la course de brouettes) . . . And there is also an area to try out 🎪 circus activities, 🥁 musical instruments to bang upon, a labyrinth, a house to navigate in the dark . . .

🗺 map of all the activities and games: here;

 

 

 

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Le Labyrinthe dans les arbres

More than 1km to traverse in the 🌳 trees on this giant labyrinth! On the school visit, the children absolutely LOVED this!

 

 

Look at the cute fairies we spotted! (one is slightly bearded though!)

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Animals

Throughout the  🌈 Grand Parc d’Andilly, you can see plenty of animals: 🐷 farm animals (goats, sheep, pigs, donkeys, ducks, geese), 🦌 deer and 🦉 the owls and 🦅 birds of prey that participate in the spectacles . . .

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Spectacles & Ateliers

As well as all of the games and magical discoveries to be had, the following 🏟 spectacles are performed a couple of times each day in the summer:

🎶 spectacle de magie;

💃 spectacle danse de l’été;

🦉🦅 spectacle de chouettes et hiboux;

NEW for 2021! Le P’tit Fauconnier – a special moment with owls! Learn about their daily lives, their needs, and also what you can do to help protect them in the wild . . . watch them fly, and have a little stroll with one on your shoulder / for children 7+ years (with an accompanying adult) / you need a special P’tit Fauconnier ticket for this / when? at 14h30 by the volières;

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Eating options

You have lots of options for dining at the 🌈 Le Grand Parc d’Andilly !

• 🍏 several picnic spots, some in the shade;
• 🥞🍨 and plenty of spots for lunch and snacks – juice bar, salad bar . . .

🌟 NEW for 2020: 🥘 Le Palais du Père Gourmand – “ 200m2 dédié aux gourmandises “ – learn recipe secrets;  

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Relaxation

How grateful we were for those lovely chairs, dotted around the park! I would like one on my terrace. Only problem? I did nearly have 💤 a nap, so my then 3 year old might have wandered off for a zumba session with a scarecrow!

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MBFF’s top tips for a great day at the Le Grand Parc d’Andilly

• 🗓 plan a whole day – there is so much to see and do!
• 👟 wear comfortable shoes and take 🎒 a big enough backpack to carry all that you need / also, remember 🧢 hats as there is not much shade for the spectacles;
• 🖊 write your name and phone number on a bracelet to give to children at the entrance, and arrange a meeting spot for a potential “getting lost” moment;
• 🗺 pick up a map and programme at the entrance!
• 🍏 prepare a great picnic;
• 🐶 NO dogs allowed!
• 🎁 shop – you will leave via the shop, so if you do not intend to buy anything, warn the children!

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Practical Information

🗓 opening hours: from 26th June 2021 (from 10h until 19h) ⇒ 5th September 2021;

💶 price: adults 15€ and children 3 to 11 years 12€;

📱 online booking: here;

🚙 getting there by car: A41 sortie 18, A40 sortie 13, RN201 follow signs from Jussy d’Andilly / for directions by bus from Annecy or Geneva, see website;

🅿️ parking: €1,50 per vehicle;

website & FB page

address: 610 route d'Annecy, 74350 Andill

tel: 04 50 32 73 64