by becoming paying, the Fête des Loges received a deluge of criticism!

The decision of the City of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Yvelines) – which we revealed exclusively on Monday January 20 – to charge entry to the Fête des Loges from 2025 has not gone unnoticed.

Since then, reactions have been going well on social networks and if certain debates have arisen between Internet users on the advisability of this choice, the vast majority do not hide their disapproval.

1 and 2 €, maximum, per person

Remember that the City, which organizes the funfair, will set up a “eco-participation » between 1 and 2 €, maximum, per person to absorb a recurring deficit that they assume alone. In 2024, she had to pay almost €200,000.

Many Internet users think that this choice simply risks sounding the death knell for this celebration created 372 years ago.

“They have just signed the death warrant of this party”

“Already attendance has been declining for several years, they will eventually finish it off,” says Michel Menudier on 78actu’s Facebook. The fairgrounds will be happy with this decision. Until they boycott the event themselves, there will be nothing surprising. »

A vision shared by Bela Louje: “I wonder if it is not the desire of the mayor of Saint-Germain-en-Laye to put an end to the Fête des Loges? »

“Attendance is down, you add an entry ticket, the decline should accelerate. Then, it will be enough to excuse a sharp drop which will justify the closure…? To see in time…”

And Jérémy Mallet believes that with this decision, “they have just signed the death warrantof this funfair lol. »

Other Internet users insist on the fact that this eco-participation, even minimal, will be added to the expenses linked to the activities offered by the fairgrounds, considered to be already too expensive.

“Duck fishing is going to be expensive”

“It’s going to be expensive to fish for ducks,” notes Moma Rafique, joined by Laeti Gab Alice: “€5 per ride for the little ones and now paying the entrance, don’t exaggerate anyway! » When Cédric Chaplain quips: “So the rides will be cheaper? »

Some argue that the implementation of this eco-participation will also penalize people coming to the Fête des Loges only to walk around, without necessarily accessing the rides, or only to go to the restaurants of the famous Kitchen Aisle .

“Paying for entry then paying for the restaurant… that doesn’t make sense! »

“Some people only went there for dinner followed by a digestive walk… Well, paying for the entrance and then the restaurant, that doesn’t make sense! »

This eco-participation seems to be the little straw too many for regulars like Jimmy Yvelines who are thinking of abandoning the Fête des Loges for other attractions.

“Well I won’t go anymore because given the prices, I prefer to go to Disney, Asterix and Futuroscope.”

An opposition elected official going against the grain

In this deluge of criticism, one voice stands out, that of Alexandre Grevet. HAS counter-currentof almost all of the comments, the municipal councilor of the right-wing opposition group United for Action Saint-Germain-en-Laye Fourqueux, says he is in favor of this decision, he who has often made his voice heard to demand that actions be carried out to absorb the deficit of the Fête des Loges.

“This is the price of progress”

“The Saint-German taxpayer does not have to put his hand in his pocket to finance the Fête des Loges, supports the elected official. In addition, let us find here the ground of an opportunity for all, fairgrounds, city and customers of the festival in order to give us the means to build a funfair to meet the needs ofenvironmental issues… This participation, from which other fairground events will inevitably draw inspiration in the future, is essential. 1 or 2 € is the price of progress. »

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