A new season for the Tarn leisure base. Cap Découverte has been open since July 9 and will welcome visitors until August 28. Last year, the site hosted approximately 122,000 tourists including many from Toulouse and Albigensians. A very significant increase since the transition to management of around 50%. A 16% increase in 2021 despite the pandemic. Group attendance is notably on the rise.
But not sure that there are so many visitors this year. There have been many changes. Of many activities that were free are now chargeable. And then the hours have also been reduced. The site – built in an old open-pit mine shaft – is now only accessible from noon, which is less easy for families. The swimming pool with slides was also closed.
– DR Cape Discovery.
Free paddle and ventriglisse at three euros
However, there are still many free activities: small pedal boats, mini-golf, paddle in particular and all the discovery trails. Paid activities are also inexpensive: tobogganing on rails at three euros, towed buoy at two euros and ventriglisse at three euros, for example.
Of the changes which however lose the regulars and in particular the Tarnais (and Carmausins) that the management of Cap Découverte would like to attract. Marion, mum came to the site with three little boys.
The persons in charge of the site recall: Cap Découverte is a base of leisure not an amusement park. And those who discover the setting of the old mine on arriving on the chairlift (always free) are still often amazed by the setting. The activities are also very inexpensive and à la carte to be accessible to all budgets, insists the new director Valérie Comes.
The department of the Tarn finances up to 1.6 million euros the SMAD (Syndicat Mixte pour l’Aménagement de la Découverte). A slight increase in subsidy. The Region and the six surrounding municipalities also contribute to the structure’s budget. For the two months of the school holidays, Cap Découverte notably had to hire 40 seasonal workers.