"What are you doing here, sir?" Do you have a press card to annoy people like that and take pictures? ”In the bays of the Cinéscénie, the great summer spectacle of Puy du Fou, the ushers, volunteers of the association, tend to tense up as soon as they smell the presence of a journalist… Not very surprising. Since the end of confinement, the Vendéen park, the second busiest in France after Disney, has been at the heart of controversy.
Its reopening as a precursor from June 11, announced triumphantly by Philippe de Villiers, the creator of the place, had raised suspicions of a “right of way” on the part of the State. Rebelote on August 15 with the exemption issued by the prefect of Vendée to play the Cinéscénie in front of 9,000 spectators, instead of the 5,000 maximum authorized everywhere in France for this kind of event. A debate that was coupled with questions about the sanitary protocol implemented in the Park ...
"It is a period that we do not live very well," says an employee of Puy du Fou. On the spot, this Saturday, August 22, the atmosphere seems to be very normal, if not a little low attendance for the period. First surprise: wearing a mask has become the rule for visitors, including in the forest paths. Very few of them derogate, even though… it is only compulsory during shows. “As you can see from the signs, it comes highly recommended everywhere. And people stick to it. But we leave the possibility, as we are in the open air, to free yourself from it if you are, for example, in an isolated place ”, justifies David Noaille, deputy general manager of Puy du Fou.
Discipline
In the alleys of the medieval village, Emmanuel, a 53-year-old Parisian, approves. “Everything is very well organized. People wear masks, there is frost everywhere. No stress, frankly. We are fine in the open air. I'm very happy to end my vacation here, ”he says happily. After having booked his tickets in June, just after the deconfinement, Philippe, a 54-year-old Essonnian, also has a great time: “No problem. I am even surprised at the discipline of visitors. "
A health reflex that applies during performances, where the actors are also masked. “I wonder if, in the end, there is no less danger here than in a big city. You spend very little time in the queues: the risk is reduced. During the shows we attended, there was always a space between us and the other spectators, says Bruno, 55, who came from Normandy with his wife and daughter. Except for the indoor one… But everyone was masked and the park staff came to remind a few spectators who had forgotten the rule. "The experience is to be tried: before entering" the mystery of Perugia ", we take off the mask ..." You have to put it back, sir ", gently but firmly indicates the hostess.
"Everyone can do like us"
La Cinéscénie, the star and night show of Puy du Fou, reduced to a gauge of 5000 places since the controversy, seems more difficult to manage. If the arrival, through the forest paths, is rather fluid, you must then cross the basements of the open-air stands to reach your place. Neither better nor worse than a station hall on a departure day… Once installed, there again the public seems to comply with the instructions repeated over and over over the loudspeakers: “Please keep your mask on throughout the show. Better: many armchairs are empty. " Everything is fine. We have no one next to us, people are masked. I don't feel like I'm taking more risks here than going to work, comments Alexandre, a 25-year-old Vendée who came with his friend Marie. Frankly, I don't quite understand this gauge story: 5000 or 9000, I don't see what changes if everyone is protecting themselves, he continues. On the other hand, I understand that we can ask questions about an authorization given to some and not to others ... "
The exit is a little more chaotic, bringing together a hurrying stream of onlookers touching down. “It's true that we are too stuck. But it's not really a problem if everyone wears the mask, ”reassures Gaëlle, a 32-year-old Breton, before returning to her hotel.
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"We have put everything in place to ensure the maximum safety of our visitors while allowing them to continue to marvel at our performances," insists David Noaille. We appeal to the civic sense of the people to follow the instructions and avoid congregating ... I do not want to respond to controversies or comment on the decisions of the prefect. But we are only following the law to the letter. Derogations are possible. We ask for them because it is vital for this show. Then we comply with the decisions, without arguing. Anyone can do like us. Moreover, a rugby club has also obtained a derogation without making so much noise. I'm not complaining about our fate. But I hope that the entire world of entertainment and sport will soon be able to welcome, depending on the evolution of the epidemic, more audiences. "