ONE OF THE STARS OF THE PAVILLONS DE BERCY CELEBRATES ITS 120TH BIRTHDAY IN 2017 !
Our velocipede carousel was manufactured in 1897 by Caillebaut and Decanck (Ghent, Belgium). For the time, it was a real thrill ride with a high speed record of 60 km / hr. A galloping horse only reaches an average of 30 km/hr, so for many riders, this was their first real experience with speed.
Like many velocipede rides, this carousel was made from an English model created by Frederick Savage. The Limonaire workshop (166 av Daumesnil, Paris) which marketed the license for France, also manufactured the rides.
With the invention of pedals in 1861, velocipedes and other balance bikes were rare objects, reserved for the most fortunate or the most adventurous. At the time, there were many more velocipedes on the rides than in the streets. Thanks to these rides, everyone had the opportunity to try this new way of locomotion.
RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE
It took 20,000 hours of restoration by craftsmen in 18 different trades to get the carousel back into working order.
Each year, the carousel is inspected. This operation lasts three days, during which the bicycles are disassembled and the rail thoroughly checked.
120 YEARS AND STILL SENSATIONAL
A popular sight, this ride is estimated to have transported nearly 90,000 cyclists in each seat for over 50 years, 5 months a year.
Today, after 120 years of existence it is one of the objects that is most appreciated by our visitors, and it continues to turn the heads of nearly 300 000 people each year.
Published on 19.05.17
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