Get your boots ready and hang on to your hat, because we're off to the Wild West! Just a stone's throw from Paris, La Mer de Sable in Ermenonville transports you to a setting worthy of a Western. Here, little cowboys and big adventurers gallop from attractions to shows, in a Wild West atmosphere. But before you draw your tickets, it's best to plan your visit! Planning your day at La Mer de Sable is the key to making the most of the rides and savouring every moment of this timeless journey. So, ready to saddle up?
What is La Mer de Sable?
La Mer de Sable park offers you total immersion in the world of the conquest of the West, divided into three worlds to explore.
First, the Valley of the Mississi'Ptits, the ideal playground for the youngest explorers. Then it's on to Color'ado Canyon, where gold rushes and underground adventures combine for the pleasure of older children. And to finish on a high, the New Mexico Desert awaits you, where you'll have to brave cacti, sandstorms and bandidos.
Organising a day at La Mer de Sable park also means planning a few themed shows. On the programme: stunts, acrobatics, comedy and special effects, to discover the best legends of the West!
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What attractions and shows are not to be missed?
If you want to make the most of Ermenonville's version of the Grand Ouest, there are a few gems you really shouldn't miss! Make a note of them as you plan your day at La Mer de Sable, one of France's best theme parks.
When it comes to thrills, Wild Buffalo is the star attraction: a brand new wooden roller coaster for the whole family from 1.10 m upwards. If you have smaller children, we recommend Tiger Express or La Rivière des Castors: fun, accessible and perfect for a gentle introduction to the thrills.
Are you more of a water lover? Cheyenne River or La Rivière Sauvage promise refreshing descents! Another favourite for the little ones is Péroké, a fun ride that seems ready to take off at any moment.
And because the Western atmosphere can also be experienced on stage, the park offers three great equestrian shows:
- the new adventures of Willy West
- the train attack,
- the 3 Nations Tournament.
These shows plunge you into the world of the Far West, with special effects, comedy and spectacular stunts to amaze young and old alike!
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What are the prices and opening times of La Mer de Sable?
La Mer de Sable is open from March to October, but only at weekends outside school holiday periods (plus a few Wednesdays and bank holidays). It opens at 10.30am and closes at 6 or 7pm, depending on the season!
Prices: free for children under 3? Prices start from €26 for a date ticket. Liberté tickets (come when you want!) start at €26 for children aged 3 to 11 and €31 for adults. Click here to book your tickets.
Petit Futé tip: order your tickets online here. It's cheaper than buying them at the park ticket office on the day!
Buy my tickets for the Mer de Sable
Practical information to prepare your visit
Organising your day at the Mer de Sable park also means leaving well prepared. Find out all the information you need to know before setting off on your assault on the American West!
How do you get there?
There are several options for getting to this corral in the heart of the Oise region: by car, the route is well signposted. The park is on Route Nationale 330 in Ermenonville, with free parking. It's perfect for a leisurely drive from Paris (about an hour).
But if you'd rather swap your Mustang's reins for a train ticket, that's possible: take a train to Nanteuil-Le Haudouin or Le Plessis-Belleville, then hop on the 636 bus to La Mer de Sable. In summer, there's even a free shuttle bus running directly from Le Plessis-Belleville station to the park! This way, you can avoid the traffic jams of the rush to the West.
Good to know: flixBus buses also make the journey from Paris.
How old do you have to be to do La Mer de Sable?
At La Mer de Sable, access to the attractions depends mainly on children's height. From 90 cm upwards, little cowboys and trapper apprentices can try out two-thirds of the rides. Enough to give them their first real taste of the West!
Of course, some of the more hectic rides require a height of 1.10 m or 1.20 m, to ensure the safety of the young adventurers. But don't worry: even the youngest visitors will find something to their liking, thanks to the dedicated worlds and family shows.
How long does it take to visit La Mer de Sable?
Allow a full day if you want to experience the adventure without rushing. Between the three worlds to explore, the stunt shows, the water attractions and the rides for all ages, the hours fly by as fast as a galloping horse. So allow around six to eight hours to enjoy the park in peace, with well-earned lunch and snack breaks.
Where to eat?
Let's talk about meals... Because in the middle of the French Wild West, you always end up a little hungry! The park offers several dining options to suit all tastes:
- The Saloonburgers (meat, chicken, fish or veggie) for a quick stopover in a saloon atmosphere.
- Farm Westwestern-style chicken, "P'tit Aventurier" or "Buffalo" menus.
- Haciendatex-Mex cafeteria with "Niño" and "Mexico" menus to spice up your break.
- Poca'Petito: sandwiches, paninis and salads.
- Le Repaire du Bayou: a variety of hot dogs, with menus for all the family.
In short, in every corner of the park there's a sweet or savoury snack point, so you can recharge your batteries before setting off on your gallop!
Buy my tickets for the Mer de Sable
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Now you've got all the information you need to organise your day at La Mer de Sable and treat your children! Do you still have time to spare or do you live near Paris? This western park is one of the best things to do around Parc Astérix... which itself is only 20 minutes away! Why not kill two birds with one stone? And after all these adventures, all that's left for you to do is visit the most beautiful villages in the Oise to relax.
