CRYSTAL, a designer and producer of spectacular effects and decors for shows and events across the world, has partnered once again with Parc Astérix to provide the water effects for Astérix et la Potion d’Étoiles, the park's inaugural nighttime spectacular.
In this milestone offering, the park’s lake becomes a stage with water as a central storytelling element, featuring over fifty water effects, jets reaching up to 20 metres high and a huge water screen.
Astérix et la Potion d’Étoiles brings together numerous artistic disciplines and spectacular technologies, including sound, light, lasers, drones, and fireworks.
CRYSTAL's contribution focused on the aquatic components, designing, installing and programming all the spectacular's water effects.
The company aimed to deliver a visual environment that could support and elevate the show's various scenes, developed by the park’s creative teams.
CRYSTAL and Parc Astérix have a long-standing partnership, including the aquatic features surrounding Oziris, the watersplash effects of Discobelix, and the fountains for the Flying Chairs attraction, among other projects.
The Flying Chairs attraction at Parc Astérix is encircled by fountains from CRYSTALImage courtesy of Martin Sylvos
With this latest collaboration, CRYSTAL continues to support the park in delivering increasingly ambitious entertainment attractions and experiences.
As part of the first nighttime spectacular in Parc Astérix’s history, the launch of Astérix et la Potion d’Étoiles marks a historic milestone for one of France’s leading theme parks. The teams involved in the project are proud to contribute to this new chapter in the park’s history.
Michel Amann, CEO and creative director at CRYSTAL, says: "Parc Astérix is a partner we know well, having worked together on various projects for more than two decades.
"Contributing to the creation of the park’s very first nighttime spectacular therefore held special significance for our teams.
"Our mission was to use water as a true storytelling medium, creating emotional and dynamic visual sequences that would support and enhance the artistic vision developed by the park."
Extending the visitor experience
Astérix et la Potion d’Étoiles introduces a new way for visitors to engage with the park, offering a ten-minute grand finale to the daytime experience that invites guests to extend their stay and enjoy the very different after-dark atmosphere.
The show's narrative was created by the Parc Astérix teams, particularly Kevin Blandina and Florian Gady. Based on this storyline, CRYSTAL’s programming team designed and developed a range of aquatic animations to support the key scenes.
Asterix et la potion d'et oiles at Parc Astérix brings much-loved characers to life in a nighttime spectacular© Sylvain Cambon
For example, a 'champagne' effect was created using thirty straight jets, while dedicated lighting and water atmospheres were inspired by key moments of the story, such as forest environments and navigation sequences.
The aim was not only to create visually impressive effects, but to use water as a storytelling medium that could fully contribute to the show's narrative and emotional impact.
The water effects are all supported by three bespoke floating platforms, measuring 15 metres long by 1.1 metres wide, designed and fabricated by CRYSTAL at its workshops in France.
This custom-built infrastructure provides the operational versatility needed to support the show's various scenes, while streamlining maintenance and integrating flawlessly into the park’s historic lake setting.
Astérix et la Potion d’Étoiles combines fountains, drones, laser effects, fireworks, and audioImage courtesy of Martin Sylvos
The installation includes 30 straight jets distributed across the three platforms; five high-reaching jets that rise up to 20 metres; two eventail effects, each with nine jets; eight motorised 2D jets; one water screen of 30 metres by 12 metres; integrated LED lighting throughout; and 52 pumps powering 46 water effects.
This enables a broad range of visual atmospheres to be delivered. Poetic moments can alternate with spectacular sequences, immaculately synchronised with the show’s soundtrack and narrative.
Creativity and collaboration
CRYSTAL’s remit was tightly focused on the water effects; however, the water system was developed to integrate seamlessly into the show’s wider creative environment.
Throughout the production, special care was taken to ensure that the fountains complement the drone formations, laser effects, fireworks, and soundtrack, resulting in a seamless and immersive experience.
As a central element of the staging, the water elements have been designed to enhance the show's visual rhythm and support the efforts of the diverse creative and technical teams involved.
A notable feature of the project was the preparation process developed by the CRYSTAL teams.
Using a complete 3D model of the environment and technical equipment, much of the programming work could be carried out off-site. This approach helped optimise the installation and commissioning stages, while ensuring consistency between the creative vision and the final show.
The CRYSTAL team took special care to ensure that the fountains complement the drone formations, laser effects, fireworks, and soundtrackImage courtesy of Martin Sylvos
The progressive integration of water, lighting, lasers, drones and pyrotechnics demanded extensive testing, with over 100 hours in total spent programming, testing and rehearsing to refine every movement, transition and sequence.
More than ten specialists across CRYSTAL’s areas of expertise contributed to Astérix et la Potion d’Étoiles, spanning project management, fountain programming, electrical engineering, hydraulic systems, and on-site technical operations.
The project required these multiple teams, from design and manufacturing through to programming, installation, and commissioning, to work together to bring the show’s aquatic scenography to life.
Florian Gady, show production and project manager at Parc Astérix, says: "CRYSTAL's 30 years of expertise in theme parks and permanent water shows proved to be a real asset for Parc Astérix.
"Their professional and responsive team worked closely with us throughout the project, making a significant contribution to the creation of our nighttime spectacular."
At the beginning of the year, CRYSTAL launched its latest innovation, Aqua Drones, at the Burj Khalifa fountain in Dubai.
