Birth of a Babylonian city neighboring Disneyland
A project, an oddity. An 'Aqualagon' (say simply a pool, but I guess lagoon sounds sexier) designed by Jacques Ferrier, hanging gardens, an educational farm, some 4 ha (10-acre) woods, shops and restaurants will make up Villages Nature as of summer 2016, not to mention accommodations. Corporations Euro Disney and Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs will celebrate the groundbreaking of 'the largest tourist project in Europe' by next September (thus 2 months ago by now).
Following a decade of wait, the spadework and the earthwork of gigantic ecotourism project Villages Nature located 6km (roughly 4 miles) apart from the Disneyland theme parks got started in early June to comply with a tight schedule: an opening for the summer of 2016. Groundbreaking will occur next September.
"Stretching over 259 ha (640 acres), this is at the moment the most significant tourist project in Europe, claims out of hand Dominique Coquet, chief executive of Villages Nature du Val d’Europe. Based on the observation that people came to Disneyland and Central Paris for short vacations and took no break at all for their often short and intense stays, we needed additional services. A stopping place for short as for longer stays meant for relaxing, resting and enjoying nature." Thereby, sponsors of the project are redefining a large-scaled destination for vacations.
An area as large as 7 Center Parcs
Figures related to the project are breathtaking. The master plan of Villages Nature envisions up to 5500 apartments and cottages and 150,000 m² (1.6 mi sq ft) of facilities over 500 ha (1200+ acres), that is as large as 7 Center Parcs.
Thus, this project held by both Pierre & Vacances and Euro Disney stands as 'the biggest project of a resort' in Europe (so how many times will they pompously repeat themselves?...). Before underlining: it would neither be one more theme park nor one more ordinary tourist accommodation for Disneyland. It will be a tourist destination on its own, shaped as a vegetal town centered on sustainable development.
A water park shaped as a pyramid
First phase registered as an OIN (opération d'intérêt national, national interest operation) will get out of the ground as of summer 2016 within some woods of Seine-et-Marne (eastern suburbs), spreading over 3 towns: Villeneuve-le-Comte (197 ha, 487 acres), Bailly-Romainvilliers (56 ha, 138 acres) and Serris (6 ha, 15 acres). "The 1st portion will include 916 cottages and apartments designed by architect Jean de Gastines and the 2/3 of recreational facilities, including the lagoon of a roughly 11,500 m² (120k+ sq ft) area," the developer adds. As for cottages and apartments, Jean de Gastines favored wooden materials to induce a warmer and relaxing atmosphere.
Water and nature everywhere
In concrete terms, this new tourist complex will be similar to the Center Parcs resorts. Water and greenery will be all over, as with the lagoon (we'll call it Aqualagon like they do), the main attraction of the site designed by architect Jacques Ferrier's firm.
"Around the pyramid-shaped covered water park will be a 3500m² (37500 sq ft) outdoor lagoon in which people will be allowed to bathe all year round in water at 30°C (86°F), Ferrier told us. There vacationers will find waterfalls, wave pools, spa, playgrounds..."
Also, a landscaped pathway will lead to the top of the structure. "I opted for a 9000m² (97k sq ft) 'aerial building' with a 26m (85 ft) tall wooden framework to rise in tiers hanging gardens playing with water and transparency, whose terraces will compose an unusual boardwalk with the animals of the farm along, such as sheep, poultry and deers like on Noah's Ark," says Ferrier.
Beyond Aqualagon and its water pyramid, hanging gardens will embody 'osmosis between architecture and vegetation', to magnify apartments around the lake in a fancy manner.
Overview of the boardwalk to the lake and the lagoon
The site will as well comprise a promenade around the lake, made up of shops, cafés and restaurants, hanging gardens, an organic farm, spaces to enjoy the lake, forest trails, vegetal architecture buildings... Less than 10% of the total area should be for building purposes.
Finally, placed at the back of hanging gardens and straight connected to the boardwalk of the lake by transverse crossings along, the 'amazing gardens' designed by landscaper and urban planner Thierry Huau over 2.1 ha (5.2 acres) will primarily be a fun course using materials such as wood, clay, stone and sand.
Want some more oddity? The interactive educational farm brought by architect and urban planner Lionel de Segonzac will be developed over 2.6 ha (6.4 acres). Then to get the visit complete, the 'enchanted isle' will offer over 2.5 ha (6.2 acres) a large outdoor playground and some huts inside a wooden setting to children from age 2 to 14.
Geothermal energy and sustainable development
As for technology, geothermal energy stands as the strong advantage of the project, as 100% of heat requirements of the site will be fulfilled by such a system, most notably for bathing water of Aqualagon and heating and hot water of all buildings, Laurent Tosello, a senior executive of the project explains. "With 2 wells drilled to a depth of 1800m (5900 ft), we'll use the groundwater at 78°C (172°F) beneath our feet to provide the network with heat on the surface, before throwing water back into the ground," he told us while we were visiting the site.
A gigantic project
Complementing the expertise of Jacques Ferrier, Jean de Gastines et Lionel de Segonzac in the design of recreational and residential facilities, Village Natures called for the skills of Joe Rhode, a famous designer of Walt Disney Imagineering and of landscaper and urban planner Thierry Huau. "Their purpose was to bring the story to life," concludes Dominique Coquet.
Interiors
The 'Clan scenery' will be offered in 499 cottages.
The 'Nature scenery' will be suggested by 326 cottages and 362 apartments.
Site of the planned pool
Work began in Seine-et-Marne, 32km (20 miles) away from Central Paris, in the suburban towns of Villeneuve-le-Comte, Bailly-Romainvilliers and Serris, on the site of expected Villages Nature.
Entrance to the site
Besides large construction corporations such as Valerian, Eiffage and Bouygues, 2 small businesses, Bir and landscaper Pinson are taking part in the huge work. Early bids were called for construction proper, outcomes are expected before the end of summer.
Geothermal wells
There should be one of them.
Villages Nature ground plan
Below must be the affected area.
Threaded Mode