i 🎢 Parks & family fun
Theme parks, treetop adventures and paragliding in the Grand Est
In the Grand Est, thrills come in three forms. First, the theme parks: Nigloland, at Dolancourt in the Aube, brings together 44 rides and shows across four themed worlds, and the Parc du Petit Prince, at Ungersheim near Mulhouse, has made flight its theme. Next come the forest adventure parks, such as Parc Alsace Aventure at Champ du Feu, with treetop courses and giant zip lines. Finally, there are supervised outdoor activities, starting with tandem paragliding flights over the Vosges ridges from Markstein.
The choice depends above all on age and season. Theme parks and adventure parks open from April to early November, with minimum heights or ages depending on the ride or course. Paragliding depends entirely on the weather and has weight limits. For a rainy day or in winter, the Wakalase complex in Cernay offers electric karting, laser tag and an indoor surf wave. At Lac de Pierre-Percée, in Meurthe-et-Moselle, you can combine an adventure park, canoeing and, in summer, lifeguarded swimming. Book online: several sites offer reduced prices this way.
How to choose?
If you are coming with young children
Both parks have rides for all ages, with minimum heights shown for each ride.
If you are looking for an adrenaline rush
A tandem flight over the High Vosges or the giant zip lines at Champ du Feu, with the Vallée des Tyroliennes (zip-line valley) restricted to ages 12 and over.
🪂 Paragliding at Le Markstein🪂 Treetop Adventure at Parc Alsace Aventure
If it is raining or the depths of winter
Electric karting, laser tag and the surf wave are all indoors, all year round.
If you want to combine nature and activities
Around the lake: an adventure park, canoeing, walking and, in summer, a beach at the neighbouring Lac de la Plaine.
ComparisonData taken from each listing, checked against official sources
| Place or activity | When | Time needed | Who it suits | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigloland📍 Aube (10) | 4 April to 11 November 2026; Nigloween from late September to 11 November | A full day; two-consecutive-day ticket available | Families with children of all ages; thrill rides for teenagers and adults | A5 exit 22 or 23, then D619, free parking; Vendeuvre-sur-Barse and Bar-sur-Aube stations 10 minutes away |
| Parc du Petit Prince (Little Prince Park)📍 Haut-Rhin (68) | 2026 season from 3 April to 1 November, according to the calendar; closed from the All Saints’ holidays to the Easter holidays | A full day | Families with children; minimum heights depending on the ride | D430 exit 5 “Écomusée/Petit Prince”; Bollwiller station 4 km away, Filea shuttle on booking |
| Treetop Adventure at Parc Alsace Aventure📍 Breitenbach · Bas-Rhin (67) | Easter to All Saints’ Day (early November): Wednesdays, weekends, public holidays and every day during French school holidays | 2 to 4 hours depending on the courses and activities chosen | From age 3 (Bretz’Elfes, Pitchoun course); giant zip lines from age 12 | By car: Col du Kreuzweg via the Villé valley, ~45 min from Strasbourg or Colmar; free car park |
| Paragliding at Le Markstein📍 Le Markstein · Haut-Rhin (68) | Fine-weather season, depending on conditions; flights postponed in wind, rain or low cloud | 10–30 min in the air; allow 1 hr 30 to 2 hrs on site with briefing and kit | From age 7 depending on the operator, 40–100/105 kg depending on the school; parental consent for minors | By car via the Route des Crêtes; Le Markstein is about 45 km from Colmar and 48 km from Mulhouse |
| Indoor Karting & Surf Wave at Wakalase📍 Cernay · Haut-Rhin (68) | All year; extended hours during school holidays (zone B) | Karting: 8 min per session; laser game: 15 min per game | Laser game from age 5, wave from age 4, karting from age 7 and 1.30 m | Les Étoiles leisure area, 8 Place des Étoiles, Cernay, about 15 min from Mulhouse by car |
| Lac de Pierre-Percée📍 Pierre-Percée · Meurthe-et-Moselle (54) | All year for walks; beach at Lac de la Plaine during the summer bathing season | Half a day to a full day depending on activities | Families, walkers, mountain bikers and anglers | By car, in the south-east of Meurthe-et-Moselle, near Badonviller; swimming at the Celles-sur-Plaine leisure centre |
Map: Theme parks, treetop adventures and paragliding in the Grand Est
When to go?
- JanPossible
- FebPossible
- MarPossible
- AprPossible
- MayPossible
- JunPeak season
- JulPeak season
- AugPeak season
- SeptPossible
- OctPossible
- NovPossible
- DecPossible
Peak season Possible Off season
📅 The high season runs from April to All Saints’ (early November): the parks then close until spring. For paragliding, aim for settled days in the warmer months and keep a back-up date in case of wind or low cloud.
Tips & insider advice
- Buy your tickets online
The Parc du Petit Prince and Parc Alsace Aventure advertise better prices for advance bookings. Also check Nigloland’s two-day passes.
- Check heights and ages
Each ride or course sets a minimum age, height or weight. Check them before promising a ride to a child.
- Wind decides for paragliding
Flights are postponed in wind, rain or low cloud. Book while keeping some flexibility in your plans.
- Dress right for treetop courses
Covering clothes, closed shoes and tied-back hair are a must; at Champ du Feu, at around 800 m, it is cooler than on the plain.
- Enjoy the autumn evenings
Nigloween extends Nigloland’s opening into the night on certain days, until 11 November 2026, with fireworks.
- Check the opening calendar
Outside school holidays, several parks open only on certain days, and may close in bad weather.
Frequently asked questions
Which theme park should I visit in the Grand Est?
Nigloland, at Dolancourt in the Aube, offers 44 rides and shows in 2026, including thrill rides for teenagers and adults. In Alsace, the Parc du Petit Prince, at Ungersheim, is aimed mainly at families, with a flight theme. Both open from April to early November.
Where can I do a treetop adventure course in Alsace?
Parc Alsace Aventure, at Breitenbach on the Col du Kreuzweg (Champ du Feu), open since 2001, offers ten treetop courses from age 3, giant zip lines and a 900 m maxi zip line. It opens from Easter to All Saints’ (early November), on Wednesdays, weekends, public holidays and every day during the school holidays.
Where can I try tandem paragliding in the Vosges?
Markstein, on the Route des Crêtes, is a site for tandem flights with a qualified instructor; depending on the wind, take-off may be from a nearby site. Allow 10 to 30 minutes in the air and 1.5 to 2 hours on site. Minimum age and weight limits depend on the school.
What can you do with children on a rainy day near Mulhouse?
Wakalase, in Cernay, about 15 minutes from Mulhouse, offers electric karting from age 7 and 1.30 m, laser tag from age 5 and an artificial surf wave from age 4, indoors and all year round.
Information checked in October 2026. Opening hours, prices and conditions may change: check the official website before you travel.