“We have found the exit! “ exclaims 10-year-old Ethan, tumbling down from a maze of plants in the west of France. Finding your way, or even solving games and puzzles, in the heart of nature, is a summer hobby that is gaining ground.
XXL labyrinths traced in the cornfields were born in the USA, in the 1990s. The best known stand out for their journeys which, seen from the sky, draw landscapes or film characters. In recent years, corn yards, a crop tall and thick enough to be opaque, have also become a popular attraction in France.
The majority are started by farmers. Near Étretat (Seine-Maritime), a couple opened the Labyrinth of the Cliffs in 2018. “After the dairy crisis, we wanted to diversify, but land pressure does not allow us to expand. We had the idea of turning to agrotourism ”, says Stéphane Hanin, at the head of a exploitation mixed-crop farming (milk, flax, beets and cereals).
Five courses over 6 ha
The farmer dedicates 6 ha of his field to transform it into five courses, pulling out part of the seedlings to create paths. It invests € 35,000 each year (electricity, salaries, inflatable games, etc.). With 12,000 to 15,000 visitors per summer at € 7 entry, mostly locals, this new activity represents around 20% of the operation’s turnover. “We devote a lot of time to it, but it’s super rewarding. “
It is difficult to know how many corn mazes dot France in this way. No census is taken. “Only additional insurance is compulsory”, points out Stéphane Hanin. The operator estimates the number to be forty “Big labyrinths” in France, welcoming at least 7,000 visitors per season, but small circuits are plotted for a weekend. Tourist offices rent land from farms to liven up their territory. In Bayeux (Calvados), the plant labyrinth is one of the attractions of a leisure park (karting, mini golf…).
The national association Passion Céréales sees this hobby as an opportunity to educate families about the agricultural world. “Unlike fruits and vegetables, corn needs to be processed, it cannot be bought in short circuits on the farm. The consumer has lost contact with cereal crops, the cycle of the seasons… ”, remarks his director, Olivia Ruch. It has joined forces with the Breton company Pop Corn Labyrinthe (fourteen parks in France), to which it supplies panels and booklets for children. “Seeing the ears up close is both fun and educational. “
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