Jardin d’Acclimatation inaugurates spectacular and thrilling Défi du Dragon roller-coaster

Created in 1860, the Jardin d’Acclimatation amusement park in Paris at the edge of the Bois de Boulogne features 42 attractions for the entire family in the heart of 18 hectares of nature and amazing surprises.  

Since April 12, the legendary park challenges visitors to experience Le Défi du Dragon, a new roller-coaster nestled in a bamboo grove in a Chinese fishing village inspired by Szechwan. 

The bravest visitors young and old prove their courage by taking the reins for a thrilling ride on the back of the dragon. 

Reaching speeds of up to 50 kph, the train roars around hairpin curves, hugging the ground before soaring over the river and pausing on a rotating platform that randomly selects the next part of the adventure. Then, surging forward or backward, four possible combinations of itinerary are possible. The only question is: will you dare to challenge the perilous dragon? 

Three years in design and construction, this amazing “family-coaster” by manufacturer Gerstlauer rides through a décor of pottery and bamboo by scenographer Thierry Rétif and landscaper Philippe Deliau, fusing captivating aesthetics and technical performance for an immersive experience.  

The Défi du Dragon is also environmentally-friendly, with optimized energy consumption thanks to energy recovery during braking, cutting electricity use by 10%. This environmental feat mirrors the holistic green strategy of the Jardin d’Acclimatation, which received ISO 14001 certification, underscoring its vision of combining emotion, innovation and environmental responsibility.