Valkyrie: The Norse Epic Propelling Festyland into a New Era

April 4, 2026, marks a historic turning point for Festyland, Normandy's largest amusement park. With the official opening of Valkyrie, its spectacular new roller coaster, the Caen-based park is not just offering an attraction, but a total immersion into Nordic mythology, the result of local expertise and cutting-edge engineering.

A Concept Between Heaven and Earth: The Legend of the Valkyries

Inspired by the divine warriors who once guided heroes to Valhalla, the attraction invites families on a unique adventure between myth and reality. The world of Valkyrie aims to be immersive from the visitors' first steps in the queue, where mystery, enchanting voices, and runic symbols prepare future passengers for the flight of the "Lost Wings."

This thematic choice is no accident. The park wanted a universe that is both powerful and elegant, reflecting the duality of the Valkyries: a certain femininity in the lines and colors, combined with the warrior strength necessary for such an epic journey.

A Technical Feat by Vekoma

Designed in partnership with the famous Dutch manufacturer Vekoma, Valkyrie sets off from the Viking quarter and traverses the entire length of the park. The major technical challenge was the installation on particularly hilly terrain, a constraint turned into an opportunity to make the course more dynamic.

Key figures for the attraction:

• Maximum speed: More than 60 km/h.
• Track length: 460 meters of thrills.
• Height: A peak reaching 27 meters.
• G-force: Peaks of up to 3G.
• Capacity: 20 passengers per train for a shared experience.

The track winds skillfully, flying over the park's walkways to offer a spectacular show for both passengers and spectators remaining on the ground.

The Norman Soul at the Heart of the Project

Valkyrie is, above all, a human and local adventure. More than fifty professionals — engineers, carpenters, artists, and technicians — worked for 18 months to bring this project to life.

• Investment: A budget of 4.5 million euros entirely dedicated to this new feature.
• Local materials: The construction site utilized 780 m³ of concrete from Norman cement plants and 34 tons of Douglas fir of regional origin for the station's framework.
• Traditional craftsmanship: The station was designed using traditional framing techniques (mortise and tenon and wood pegging), offering an authentic and massive appearance faithful to the Viking era.
• Regional expertise: Around thirty companies, mostly from Normandy, contributed to the various stages: civil engineering, electricity, sets, and green spaces.

Total Sensory Immersion

To perfect the experience, Festyland focused on meticulous scenography. The sets, including rocks sculpted in concrete and hand-aged structures, create the illusion of an ancestral Viking camp.

Immersion also happens through the ears. An original soundtrack of nearly 45 minutes was composed specifically for the attraction by the Caen artist Ashel. Inspired by universes like that of the video game God of War, this music blends powerful percussion and ethereal voices to accompany the visitor from the queue until the return to the station.

Spring 2026 Under the Sign of Celebration

The arrival of Valkyrie coincides with the launch of the season and the return of the Spring Festival from April 11 to 26, 2026. During the school holidays, the park is adorned with floral decorations and comes alive with shows featuring fantastic creatures.

This 2026 season promises to be rich with other highlights:

• The Vikings Land (May 23-25): Re-enactments of camps and battles.
• Festy'Val Mascottes (June 14): A gathering of the park's mascots.
• Spectacular Summer (from July 11): Marching bands and daily entertainment.

Festyland Continues Its Growth

With 28 attractions spread across 5 thematic universes (Prehistory, Vikings, Pirates, Middle Ages, 1900), Festyland confirms its position as a regional leader. Valkyrie represents the most significant investment since the Kaskade attraction in 2015, proving the park's ambition to offer increasingly immersive experiences while remaining faithful to its family and Norman DNA.