Nigloland is a family-owned theme park in Dolancourt, in France’s Aube department, that opened in 1987. Founded by brothers Patrice and Philippe Gélis, former carnival operators who drew inspiration from a trip to Walt Disney World, the park takes its name from its hedgehog mascot, Niglo. Since opening, it has grown into one of the most-visited theme parks in France, regularly ranking among the country’s top attractions alongside Disneyland Paris and Parc Astérix.
Spread across roughly 40 hectares (about 99 acres), Nigloland is organized into themed lands including a Canadian village, a rock ‘n’ roll village, a magical village, and a Swiss village. The park set an attendance record in 2022 with around 763,000 visitors. Its ride lineup blends family-friendly attractions with several notable thrill rides, anchored by the towering Le Donjon de l’Extrême drop tower and the steel coaster Alpina Blitz.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Dolancourt, Aube, France
- Operator: SARL Gélis Frères (Gélis family)
- Opened: 1987
- Size: About 40 hectares (99 acres)
- Annual Visitors: About 763,000 (2022 record)
- Signature Coaster: Alpina Blitz (Mack Rides, opened 2014)
- Tallest Attraction: Le Donjon de l’Extrême drop tower, about 100 m (328 ft)
The Ride Experience
Nigloland’s coaster lineup is built around Mack Rides hardware. Alpina Blitz, a mega coaster that opened in 2014, reaches about 108 feet tall with a top speed near 52 mph along roughly 2,360 feet of track. The park also operates Gold Mine Train, a Mack Rides powered coaster dating to 1992, and Spatiale Expérience, an indoor steel coaster styled after a space voyage. Krampus Expédition, a Mack Rides water coaster, adds a splashdown finale to the ride roster. For sheer scale, Le Donjon de l’Extrême drop tower stands around 100 meters tall, making it one of the tallest attractions of its kind in France.
A Family Business With a Long History
Unlike many major European parks backed by large corporations, Nigloland has remained under the ownership of the Gélis family since it opened. In 1993 the park expanded significantly by acquiring rides and equipment from the closed Parc de la Toison d’Or in Dijon, which helped build out its magical village area. The park continues to invest in new attractions, with a Mack Rides Stryker coaster called Supersonic 1887 announced for a future opening.
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Nigloland FAQs
Where is Nigloland located?
Nigloland is located in Dolancourt, a small commune in the Aube department of northeastern France, not far from Troyes.
When did Nigloland open?
Nigloland opened in 1987, founded by brothers Patrice and Philippe Gélis.
What is Nigloland’s most famous ride?
Alpina Blitz, a Mack Rides mega coaster that opened in 2014, and the roughly 100-meter-tall Le Donjon de l’Extrême drop tower are among the park’s signature attractions.
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Photo: BrayanWiki007 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.