And if, for a change, you spent your holidays in a shopping center? In Saint-Herblain, near Nantes, the Atlantis center, the largest in the West, opened this Thursday a kind of “Paris-beach” (without water) for those who are not lucky enough to be able to go for a stroll on a beach or at the edge of a lake. The operation is called “Summer Atlantis”, around twenty activities are on the program until August 6th.
– Leonie Cornet
Colorful huts and deckchairs are arranged at the entrance to the Atlantis shopping center in Saint-Herblain, near the Ikea furniture store. It’s almost like being on the beach, enough to seduce the most curious customers, and in particular those who don’t have the chance to go on vacation this year, like Maéva and her two daughters Lola and Zoé. “Today, I come to have my hands massaged, she confides. We will surely come back next week with the girls for rollerblading and climbing activities.”
Twenty free activities
About twenty activities are on the program, including pétanque for children, pétanque for adults, volleyball… And even zumba classes, all free of charge. Ice cream and waffle stands are also available, but this time, you will have to put your hand to the wallet.
Medhi, Audrey and Lorraine took advantage of their shopping break to learn a famous Finnish game of skill. “It’s quite nice to spend your days here, with friends, to play,” says Medhi.
– Leonie Cornet
Just behind, Tristan takes care of the climbing wall. He helps Victoria, 4, who is doing it for the first time. His mother, Rita, lives in Couëron, near Nantes. “We were walking through the mall with my friend and my kids, and we saw the activities outside the mall, and we thought it was a good idea for the kids.”
“Summer Atlantis” until August 6
This is the first time that the mall has offered this kind of activity. Alexandra Farci, the director, hopes to repeat the experience next year. “We welcome tourists, customers, but also people who cannot go on vacation, she explains. Some have the impression of being in a summer camp, it’s really touching. The goal, c is to bring a little bit of happiness to everyday life.”
Small free vacations which are a way to save money on the vacation budget. “Summer Atlantis” lasts until August 6, you can find the program on the shopping center website atlantis-nantes.com.