Today, the name Mirapolis is resurfacing with the possibility of seeing a park dedicated to the world of Dragon Ball to move to its former site. For many, this name no longer means much. Yet, at the end of the 1980s, Mirapolis represented one of the most ambitious projects ever launched in France in the field of leisure.
Five years before the opening of Disneyland Paris, French investors envisioned a park capable of competing with the biggest international resorts. The goal: to prove that France could create its own major theme park without relying on Disney characters.
A pharaonic construction project
The project was launched in the early 1980s on a vast site in Courdimanche, in the Val-d'Oise region, about thirty kilometers from Paris. The developers had grand ambitions. Several hundred million francs were invested to build a park of nearly 50 hectares, featuring some thirty attractions, shows, restaurants, shops, and immense landscaped areas. The chosen theme was a departure from American standards. Here, there were no Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, or princesses. Mirapolis drew its inspiration from French and European tales and legends, the works of Rabelais, the Knights of the Round Table, the Brocéliande forest, fantasy stories, and figures from cultural heritage. The designers wanted to offer a French alternative to the large American theme parks, with a strong cultural identity.
Gargantua, the park's showcase
To make a lasting impression, the creators envisioned an attraction unlike any other in the world. At the park's entrance stands a monumental 35-meter-high statue of Gargantua. Visible from several kilometers away, it immediately became the emblem of Mirapolis. Visitors enter the giant via a funicular railway that takes them to its head, where a panoramic terrace offers a view of the entire park. This statue alone symbolizes the sheer scale of the project. At the time, it was one of the largest habitable sculptures ever built in Europe.
A hopeful opening
On May 21, 1987, Mirapolis officially opened its doors. Ambitions were immense. Management hoped to attract nearly 2 million visitors per year. With such attendance, Mirapolis would quickly become one of the largest amusement parks in Europe. The first few days drew tens of thousands of curious visitors eager to discover this park that everyone was talking about.
An opening that was immediately disrupted
The euphoria, however, faded very quickly. Just a few days after the opening, several hundred fairground workers opposed to the project invaded the park to denounce what they considered unfair competition. Rides were damaged, clashes broke out, and the images were broadcast on television news. This disastrous publicity came while Mirapolis was still trying to attract families.
A park that isn't working as expected
The difficulties don't end there. The park was designed on a vast area. The attractions are far apart, and visitors spend a lot of time walking. When attendance is lower than expected, these long walkways feel empty. The restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues were designed to accommodate several million visitors a year. With attendance often between 400,000 and 600,000 people, the whole thing seems vastly oversized.
Another challenge is that the attractions often prioritize scenery, walks, and imaginary worlds over thrills. Teenagers quickly find the offerings less spectacular than those of other parks. Finally, the choice of a world inspired by Gargantua, medieval legends, or historical figures appeals to heritage enthusiasts but resonates less with children than world-renowned heroes. Mirapolis lacks any strong licenses capable of building customer loyalty or generating significant merchandise sales.
The accounts are plunging into the red
Operating expenses are considerable. Between maintaining the attractions, the shows, the green spaces, and the hundreds of employees, the park is very expensive to run. Revenue never breaks even. Several recovery plans are launched, new managers come and go, and some attractions are added, but the deficits continue to grow. Meanwhile, Parc Astérix opens in 1989 with an immediately recognizable identity, while Euro Disney prepares its arrival near Paris.
A closure after only 5 seasons
On October 20, 1991, Mirapolis closed its doors for good. The attractions were sold off or dismantled. The immense statue of Gargantua remained standing for a few years before being demolished in 1995. Nearly 40 years later, the name Mirapolis continues to fascinate amusement park enthusiasts. If a park Dragon Ball If it were to actually come to fruition on this land, it would revive a site where France had already attempted, long before Disneyland Paris, to build its own entertainment kingdom.
