“A parenthesis of enchantment”
“Between 2000 and 2010, I was an educator for disabled adults. We were lucky enough to go to the park several times a year. We were always well received, and the people I accompanied were amazed each time by the shows offered, it was a parenthesis of enchantment. tell
Franck, 47 years old, from Saint-Laurent-du-Var
“The joy in the eyes of my children”
Lindsay, 34 years old from Saint-Mandrier, retains “the joy in the eyes of my children aged 11, 8 and 3. When my 8 year old daughter learned of the closure, she was a little sad because it's not every day that we get to see these animals . She asked me several times: does it close for life?”
“What happiness!”
“ I went there for the first time when I was already an adult because unfortunately my parents couldn't afford to take us there. Entrance was way too expensive. testifies Rita, 55 years old, from Cagnes-sur-Mer. For me it was enchanting: seeing all these marine animals that we would never be able to see in their natural environment. It is true that at no time did we question the well-being of these animals who, for the most part, were born at Marineland. We have taken our children there several times and what joy for them! It was a fun space where we learned a lot about the life of cetaceans and all the animals present in this park. Will all zoos in Europe suffer the same fate?
“A park that made me dream”
“I remember the show with the dolphins and the sea lions in the 1980s/1990s. They are very good memories for me, assures Aurore, 47 years old, from Contes. It’s a park that made me dream.”
“A moving experience”
“One of my favorite memories is the moment I got to pet the dolphins. Feeling their soft, silky skin while interacting with them up close was a magical and moving experience. It’s a memory I will always cherish” , testifies Maeva, a 22-year-old from Antiboise.
“I went there once a year”
Yolande, 45, from Salernes, has been going to Marineland once a year since she was 3 “between school trips, family outings”. She remembers “the orca shows where the spectators in the first two rows were soaked and the interactions with the dolphins”.
“A dream”
The best memory of Yoan, 42 years old, from La Gaude? “The first time I saw dolphins. For me it was a dream. It sparked a professional goal throughout my childhood. My student jobs allowed me to get up close and personal with the structures with at the time a team of enthusiasts and family which was supervised by Mr. Riddell”.
“I was planning to take my future children there”
“I have only good memories in this park where I went 4 or 5 times, often accompanied by my family and also friends, more recently my partner to whom I introduced this park. We were planning to take our future children, says Camille, 23 years old. The young woman, who lives in Aix-en-Provence, remembers “ from those times when the park organized night shows with the orcas, accompanied by fireworks. It was simply sumptuous.”
“Caressing the dolphins, an incredible moment”
“It was October 24, 1995, I was 10 years old, Bruno, 39, from Loire-Atlantique tells us. After the dolphin show, I waited for my family to leave. I only had one idea in mind, to see the dolphins up close, because I saw that I could cross the small wall which separates the public from the dolphin pool. I climbed it calmly. Then, I approached the dolphins' tank and I was able to pet them. It was an incredible moment, they were so expressive! I stayed for about a minute. This story will remain etched in my memory.”
“Childhood memories”
“I have so many good memories! enthuses Isabelle, a 58-year-old from Nice. When I was a child, my grandparents took me. It was always a celebration and a wonder. We were in the middle of the Cousteau period, and the discovery of all these marine animals fascinated me. As soon as my daughter was old enough, I took her. What a joy to share this universe in my turn. The park also offered to organize birthday parties, a real moment of shared joy. Marineland allowed you to discover the fragility and beauty of this environment, it was very educational. Seeing the dolphins and orcas evolve, I never had the impression of any animal abuse. The park was intended to pass on to generations the desire to preserve the sea and its environment.
“A magical day”
“My best memory at Marineland, it was a magical day, summarizes Grégory, 41 years old, from Saint-Laurent-du-Var. It all started with a dream: approaching a dolphin. After begging my friends to accompany me (and promising to pay them for the churros), here we are in an encounter session with the dolphins. The trainer explains to me how to delicately place my hand on the dolphin. But as I reach out my hand, the dolphin looks me straight in the eye and splashes all over my face with a big slap of its fin. A real personalized attack. My friends were laughing. But the best part is the sea lion show. At the end, they ask for a volunteer to come on stage. My friends shout my name. Here I am on the stage. And there, the sea lion gives me a kiss on the cheek with its wet snout. Emotion guaranteed! In short, a memorable day: I laughed, I was splashed and above all, I understood that marine animals have a sense of humor all their own!”
