Abandoned £118million fairytale theme park that would have been a Disneyland rival – but closed after four years
AN abandoned fairytale theme park that cost just under £118million was forced to close after just four years.
Mirapolis opened in 1987 in Courdimanche,
France
- less than an hour via train from Paris - featuring French legends and stories throughout the attraction.
5
Mirapolis originally opened in 1987
5
The theme park was based on French legends
5
One ride was inside a statue of Gargantua
Credit: Getty
Architect Anne Fourcade was inspired to create the park after visiting the Disneyland theme park in
California
in 1980.
Rides included 'The Dark Ride', which was inspired by 'City of Ys' legend.
The ride was modern for the time, with a terrifying sea monster, sunken head and an underwater scene that even had animatronics.
It was thought it could have been a rival to
Disneyland Paris
, which opened in 1992 and was around an hour away, with both based on fairytales and childhood stories.
Read more on theme parks
Not only that, but it hoped to welcome as many as 600,000 tourists a year, according to
Yet according to the
After just four years the park was closed, waiting to be rebuilt.
It was reportedly one of the biggest financial fails of the
history
of France.
Most read in News Travel
The expectations for the park were said to have been too optimistic and were based off of incorrect market research.
This included looking at American tourists compared to French tourists, when it came to elements like eating habits and ticket prices.
I took my family to the perfect first UK theme park for little kids
Not only that, but the stories and characters the park was based on were mainly only known to French locals, unlike the international fame of
Disney
's characters.
After the closure of the
When a buyer didn't emerge, a crew of journalists and operators created a
film
on the closed-down park with the attractions being opened for one last time.
From 1993 onwards, the buildings were gradually demolished, with some of the
For example, the ride 'Dragon des Sortilèges' went to Spreepark and Les pirates went to Meli Park.
In 1995, arguably the most iconic part of the park - the Gargantua statue - finally lost it's head.
The statue was the second tallest hollow state in the world behind the Stature of Liberty, and was of the giant from the story 'The Life of Gargantua' and of 'Pantagruel' from the 16th century.
The Dark Ride was located inside the statue and took guests on a journey through the giant's body with 120 animatronics.
In 2017, the park would have celebrated its 30th anniversary and to mark the occasion, an
history
of the park.
And in 2018, plans were revealed to built an "eco-friendly tourist resort" on the same site although this was also abandoned in 2019.
There was also a
Plus, the £346milion theme park that wanted to be the 'English Disneyland' in the 1980s… but was never built.
5
The park was only open for four years
5
Over the years, the park was eventually dismantled
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
17 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Why Liz Hurley reigns supreme at 60 – from building a £50m business empire to her hilarious quip about Billy Ray romance
It started with a dress held together with safety pins. And three decades on, as she prepares to turn 60, Liz Hurley is still front-page news — and still redefining beauty rules for women. 18 Stunning actress Liz Hurley reigns supreme at 60 Credit: GETTY 18 Loved-up with boyfriend Billy Ray Cyrus Credit: GETTY On Tuesday, flanked by her latest love, Decades before the It girls, influencers and YouTube fashionistas, there was Liz – the OG posh girl pin-up. 'I promise I didn't mean to steal the show' A woman responsible for white jeans, plunging necklines, leopard-print knickers, A woman who is never stuck for words and who, when asked on the red carpet what on earth she had in common with three-times-divorced Billy Ray (father of Miley Cyrus), quipped: 'Well, isn't it obvious? We have the same hair.' READ MORE ON LIZ HURLEY She originally met the country star on the set of the 2021 movie Christmas In Paradise, and Billy Ray – who is flying into the UK for her birthday celebrations – has described her as 'a great human being' who just makes him laugh. The OG posh girl pin-up As unlikely romances go, it's certainly compelling. Liz – or Elizabeth as she insists on being called today – and I go back a long way, before that Versace dress that catapulted her into global sex symbol status overnight, before the high-profile romances and break-ups or the paternity scandal surrounding Damian (more on these later). When I first met her at the 1988 launch of BBC drama Christabel – in which she was playing the title role – she was a little-known actress, who'd previously appeared in detective series Inspector Morse. Most read in Celebrity The former dancer from a middle-class army family in Hampshire, Liz – sorry Elizabeth (she was a lot less grand back then) – was ambitious, smart, beautiful and a lot of fun, with a fruity sense of humour and an equally good-looking, up-and-coming actor boyfriend called Elizabeth Hurley shares loved-up new video with Billy Ray Cyrus hinting at MARRIAGE after revealing secret romance In order to make it as an actress, she'd transformed from a rebel punk with a nose ring and pink, spiky hair into a classic English rose, all fresh-faced, dewy-skinned and with those sleek brunette locks. 'It's all about luck, timing, right place, right time, right look and a really great part to get that breakthrough,' the then 23 year old told me over several glasses of warm white wine. She wasn't totally wrong. Six years later, at the London premiere of Four Weddings And A Funeral in 1994, it was that low-cut, thigh-split, floor-length black dress that got everyone talking. She didn't even have a minor role in the movie, and was only there as a plus-one to Hugh. It's all about luck, timing, right place, right time, right look and a really great part to get that breakthrough Liz Hurley As blinding cameras flashed wherever she moved at the film's after-party in London's In & Out club, she laughed: 'I promise I didn't mean to steal the show!' But she did. Overnight, Liz Hurley became as big a star as her boyfriend, and certainly it's still the one thing everyone remembers about that night. Just shy of her 30th birthday, after a decade trying to make it as a serious actress, Liz got her chance to become a global star – and there was no way she was going to let it slip through her elegantly manicured fingers. 'What sets Liz apart is not actually her beauty but her brains,' says a friend who worked with her when she and Hugh set up the film company Simian Productions in 1994. 18 Showing off her amazing bikini bod Credit: INSTAGRAM 'She's smart. That Versace dress was her light-bulb moment. She immediately saw how she could make a great future for herself. It wasn't about her acting. It was about her. She was the brand, the product, the look. The English rose dripping with sex appeal. Or 'the Posh Totty' as her friends would joke. She never took herself too seriously, but she did realise she had something way beyond being an actress. 'Liz totally understands that beauty, style and fashion are so much more than how you look and what you wear. If you meet her at a party, she can talk about everything from the Kardashians to Sigmund Freud. Her taste in men is equally eclectic – she doesn't have a type, so her choices are always unexpected.' In her six decades, she's built an empire and is now worth over £50million. Eclectic taste in men As well as breaking Hollywood in iconic roles in Austin Powers, Gossip Girl and The Royals, she has a hugely successful bikini business (she is the flagship model) and has been the face and global ambassador for Estée Lauder for more than 30 years. She returns to our screens later this year on Channel 4's reality show The Inheritance, alongside Rob Rinder. Meanwhile, home is a £6million Georgian house in There you'll find a beautifully kept English country garden (she is a keen gardener with a vast array of her own secateurs, shovels, hoes and pruning equipment), which is said to be one of the settings for her big 60th birthday celebrations. Figure defies gravity Best friends with Entering her seventh decade, she still looks insanely fabulous, with those glossy highlighted locks, the same dewy skin, expertly plucked brows and fresh, minimal make-up. Last year, she was voted by men's magazine Maxim as the World's Sexiest Woman – beating off women half her age including Sabrina Carpenter, as well as Margot Robbie, Jennifer Aniston, and Beyoncé – and celebrated her 59th birthday by showing off her perfect body in a bright-blue skimpy bikini. Her figure defies gravity – not that she'd ever admit to hours sweating in a gym. Three years after the birth of Damian, she told me during an interview that the best thing about motherhood was nibbling on kids' party foods. World's sexiest woman 'I've discovered a passion for pink fondant fancies and those chocolate mini rolls – oh, and egg mayonnaise sandwiches with the crusts cut off.' I had to laugh. Not that I'm cynical, but Mr Kipling just doesn't make exceedingly good bodies like that. But as much as Liz Hurley has redefined a carefully curated beauty look – think English aristocrat meets sexy Hollywood glamour – her life has not been without scandal, humiliation, disappointment and grief. 18 With pal Elton John Credit: GETTY The real measure of Liz's everlasting appeal is the grit and grace she has shown in the face of a series of highly public messy affairs, which have threatened to destroy her image. In fact, it was this that brought her and Billy Ray together. In April, he revealed Liz had reached out to him after his marriage to fellow singer Firerose (AKA Johanna Hodges) collapsed last year, amid tabloid reports of an ongoing feud with his daughter, and a disastrous performance of epic proportions at Donald Trump's inaugural ball. 'Hugh was always there for her. Their bond is truly remarkable' On The Ty Bentli Show in April, Billy Ray said: 'I felt like: 'Wow, can life get any harder? Can it get any tougher?' For me, at a certain point, it was like, you can't get knocked down any flatter than laying on your back when life is kicking you.' And at this moment, a friend reached out to say: 'I'm in your corner.'' There are few people who understand how hard it is to go through a public disgrace more than Liz Hurley. In 1995, a year after her triumphant breakthrough, her 'perfect relationship' with Hugh was destroyed after he was arrested following an incident with sex worker Divine Brown in Los Angeles. Giving the outward appearance she was unshaken by the scandal, which dominated the tabloids, Liz stood firmly by her partner's side, explaining afterwards on an American news show that that although she felt 'like I had been shot' when she heard the news, 'you don't kick someone when they're down.' Their relationship lasted for five more years before ending in 2000 after 13 years together. She still refers to Hugh as her 'closest friend', and their strong bond has baffled many and infuriated some. It was Hugh who stepped up after her brief relationship with multimillionaire Steve Bing in 2001 hit the skids. The businessman refused to acknowledge that Liz was pregnant with his child, until a DNA test proved it shortly after Damian's birth in 2002. Their acrimonious court battle and his initial refusal to be involved in his son's life was intensely difficult for Liz, and Hugh's advice and support according to friends was 'everything to her'. At the time, she had begun dating her future husband, Indian businessman 'She was pregnant, desperately sad that Steve was refusing to acknowledge the baby she was carrying – but there was Hugh, always there for her. Their bond is truly remarkable.' Hugh – along with Elton John, his partner, He was there to lend support again when, in June 2020, Damian's estranged father jumped from the 27th floor of his luxury Los Angeles building and fell to his death. In the traumatic weeks that followed, Liz, as she had always done, showed grace under fire. Despite the conflict over Damian's parentage and the fact Bing did not include him in his will, she revealed that he had in fact sent a text to Damian on his 18th birthday and left a note for him before he took his life. 'Damian adores her, and she can't go a day without talking to him' She put up pics of her ex on Instagram, and told her 3 million followers that he was a 'sweet, kind man' and 'our time together was very happy'. Liz has never been one to dish the dirt – when her four-year marriage to Arun came to an end in 2011 and she began divorce proceedings citing his 'unreasonable behaviour', she never once hinted what that behaviour was. Three months after her divorce, she began dating Australian cricketer Again, it seemed an unlikely match: the classic English beauty Liz with the hard-drinking, partying, bad boy. After two years, the relationship – which he described as 'the happiest of his life' – came to an end. 18 Elizabeth with lookalike son Damian Credit: GETTY They remained close friends and when he died suddenly of a heart attack in Thailand in 2022, she spoke of her deep grief at his loss. In an interview last year, she said: 'It was appalling losing Shane, it was a terrible thing. And it's a sadness, you know, that stays with you a long time.' Elizabeth also acknowledged the impact on her son. 'I know as we get older we're going to experience more and more loss, but Damian as a young man has experienced probably more than most.' In tabloid terms, it may be Liz's latest romance that keeps her in the news, but those closest to her know that there is really only one man who will forever remain in her heart – her beloved film-producer son Damian. 'They are a unit,' says her friend. 'He adores her, she is his muse and she can't go a day without talking to him. They collaborate on everything, including her modelling shots for her bikini business. She has appeared in his films, they laugh together, cook together, go out together. He is completely her world. 'Her greatest sadness was he didn't get to have a father, which is why he has six godfathers, and Liz has always made sure that any man in her life knows he comes first. On her 60th birthday, of everything she has done, Damian remains her greatest achievement.' Like that dress fastened only with golden safety pins, Elizabeth Hurley has tenaciously held her world and her family together in the face of circumstances which could have floored a lesser mortal. At 60, she has emerged as a true woman of substance. Happy birthday, Elizabeth. The Ex Factor She may be loved-up with Billy Ray Cyrus, but there's been no end of drama when it comes to Liz's love life. Hugh Grant 18 Liz met Hugh Grant when she was 22 Credit: GETTY The pair met when he was 27 and she was 22 on the set of 1987 movie Rowing With The Wind. They have remained firm friends ever since. Steve Bing 18 Liz dated The Polar Express producer Steve Bing for 18 months in the early 2000s Credit: MEGA Liz dated The Polar Express producer for 18 months on and off in the early 2000s, before giving birth to their son Damian. Steve Nash 18 Basketballer Steve Nash dated Liz briefly in 2001 Credit: GETTY The Canadian basketball player dated Liz briefly in 2001. At the time, a representative for Steve described the duo as having 'just vibed'. Arun Nayar 18 The actress and Arun Nayar had two wedding ceremonies in 2007 Credit: GETTY The actress and the Indian heir had not one but two wedding ceremonies in 2007. Three years later, Liz announced their divorce. Shane Warne 18 Liz and Australian cricketer Shane Warne got engaged in 2011 Credit: GETTY Liz and the Australian cricketer got engaged in 2011, but split in December 2013. After his death, she called him her 'beloved lionheart'. Justin Theroux 18 Liz denied any romance with Justin Theroux Credit: GETTY Paparazzi pics with the actor sparked rumours of a relationship. However, Liz denied any romance between them. She's forever in fashion Ever since that Versace dress, Liz has barely put a foot wrong when it comes to her style choices Put a pin in it 18 This Versace gold safety-pin dress catapulted relatively unknown Liz into the limelight in 1994 Credit: GETTY It was the Versace gold safety-pin dress that catapulted the relatively unknown Liz into the limelight in 1994. Her gravity-defying outfit, which cost £3,000 at the time was, she said: 'The first incredibly expensive dress I'd ever put on in my life.' Pretty in pink 18 Stunning Hurley dazzling in a hot pink sequin dress in 1995 Credit: GETTY Liz dazzled again in this hot-pink, sequin, maxi-dress she wore to the 1995 César Awards in Paris. Pared-back make-up and coiffed hair completed the look. Mellow yellow 18 Liz looked vibrant as she was unveiled as the new face of Estée Lauder in a £2million deal in March 1995 Credit: GETTY This vibrant yellow Versace blazer and matching skirt marked a very different look for Liz as she was unveiled as the new face of Estée Lauder in a £2million deal in March 1995 – a role she still holds 30 years on. Animal magic 18 All eyes were on Elizabeth when she flashed her leopard print knickers while wearing a red Versace dress in 1998 Credit: G4BYTB All eyes were on Elizabeth when she flashed her leopard print knickers while wearing a red Versace dress with a thigh-high split to the wedding of millionaire film producer Henry Dent-Brocklehurst and model Lilikoi Maltese in 1998. All white on the night 18 Hurley donned in white at the Rocketman premiere in May 2019 Credit: GETTY Attending the Rocketman premiere in London in May 2019, the actress showed she was out of this world as she posed in a sequined white Versace suit paired with silver heels. Her marble-effect clutch bag added a pop of colour. Barely there 18 Earlier this year, Elizabeth showed off her incredible figure in a Celia Kritharioti form-fitting optical illusion gown Credit: GETTY Stepping out at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in March, Elizabeth showed off her incredible figure in a Celia Kritharioti form-fitting optical illusion gown that was covered in crystals and made it look like she wasn't wearing a dress at all. Beach babe 18 Liz showed off her enviable shape in a skimpy red two-piece Credit: INSTAGRAM The actress showed off her enviable figure in a skimpy red two-piece from her hugely successful Elizabeth Hurley Beach in a collection of shots taken in Baglioni, in the Maldives, last month. If we looked this good in a bikini at almost 60, we would too!
The Irish Sun
17 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Smitten' Aimee Lou Wood kisses and hugs actor boyfriend outside cafe ‘in vision of love's young dream'
THE White Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood shares some tender moments with her actor boyfriend Adam Long. Loved-up 5 White Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood has been pictured looking loved-up with her boyfriend Adam Long Credit: Getty 5 Aimee cuddled up to Adam as they sat outside a London cafe Credit: TillenDove 5 The couple, who met while on the set of Film Club, were seen kissing The pair met while filming upcoming BBC comedy series Film Club but Adam is best known for telly drama Happy Valley. Stockport-born Aimee previously dated An onlooker who spotted her with Adam in South London said: 'They looked smitten with one another. 'They were hugging and kissing and she kept draping her arm around his neck while his hand was on her knee. read more on aimee lou wood 'They looked very comfy together — a vision of love's young dream.' Aimee's romance follows rumours of a row with her White Lotus co-star Walton Goggins after claims they had unfollowed each other on Instagram. The pair, who play lovers Chelsea and Rick in the HBO series, appeared on the cover of Variety magazine last week to put the rumours to bed. Walton, 53, said: ' Most read in News TV "I adore, I love this woman madly. "She's special. She can do anything.' White Lotus star Aimee Lou Woods SLAMS 'mean' Saturday Night Live sketch that mocked her teeth Aimee added: 'We don't give a sh*te about Instagram. "It's such a comment on where we're at culturally.' 5 An onlooker said: 'They looked smitten with one another' Credit: TillenDove 5 Adam is best known for telly drama Happy Valley Credit: TillenDove Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Noel Gallagher's ‘excellent condition' 1990s super saloon up for sale for eye-watering seven-figure price
A BEEFY super saloon that once belonged to Noel Gallagher has recently hit the market - for a supersonic sum of £1.2million. A gorgeous Bentley Turbo R was listed on Auto Trader, having once been the pride of joy of the Don't Look Back in Anger singer. 3 Despite never passing his driving test, Noel Gallagher's former Bentley Turbo R, complete with Britpop flair, is now up for grabs Credit: Getty 3 Gallagher's luxurious super saloon boasts a powerful 6.8-litre V8 engine and can be yours for a staggering £1.2million Credit: Auto Trader 3 Once owned by the Oasis frontman, this stylish Bentley boasts cream leather interiors, wood trims and the iconic 'OASI6 2' number plate Credit: Getty The four-door saloon, which was first registered in 1997, was owned by Gallagher despite the fact he couldn't drive it. The Turbo R - with the 'R" standing for "roadholding" - boasts a 6.8-litre V8 engine and is good for 0-60mph under seven seconds, as well as a top speed of 143mph. Not only built for speed, the Bentley boasts all the trimmings you'd expect from a luxury set of wheels of its time - featuring a cream leather interior, complemented by a wood trim. Described as being in both "excellent condition" and "surprisingly reliable", the Turbo R has clocked some 100,000 miles in its 28-year life. Read more Motors News The snazzy motor also has the number plate 'OASI6 2', in reference to the Britpop band, which is set to reunite to play a run of gigs this year in the UK and Ireland. This includes shows at Manchester's Heaton Park, London's Wembley Stadium, and Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium, throughout July, August and September. Every performance, including those in the US, South America and Australia, Most read in Motors Famously, the Manchester-born musician has never passed his driving test - but seemingly hasn't stopped him owning or, indeed, driving cars. In 2023, he was handed six penalty points and ordered to pay a court £1,000 for failing to tell police who was driving his Range Rover - which was clocked speeding at 41mph on a 30mph stretch of the A40 in Edgware Road, West London . Noel Gallagher looks stony-faced as he makes lonely Tube journey to Oasis rehearsals – but Liam's entrance is chaotic Speaking about the Bentley's sale, Erin Baker, editorial director at Auto Trader, said: 'Cars listed by music legends don't come around very often, and Noel Gallagher's Bentley Turbo R is certainly one for the Auto Trader history books ." Auto Trader's Catherine King Naturally, their picks included the evergreen Mazda MX-5 - dubbed the poster child for convertible cars.
