Megève Express – Aelters
French mountain-and-valley ride with a fresh new look
Operator: Aelters (France)
Megève Express by Aelters is a French mountain-and-valley ride made by the Belgian manufacturer Sobema. Its name recalls the Alpine winter sports resort of Megève. At the fairground, the ride offers a special mix of circular motion, changing heights and an atmosphere full of movement and music. Unlike a roller coaster, it does not travel along a long track through the site: the experience comes from continuously circling along a wavy track.
The ride belongs to Sobema's Bidule model range. This places it more precisely among classic French family rides. It is not just any caterpillar ride with the same name: its documented history with Duvert and Aelters distinguishes this particular travelling ride.
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What to expect
- Sound system / music
- Family-friendly
Highlights & records
Classic French mountain-and-valley ride of the Sobema Bidule type; 2025 complete repainting of the façades by ESSA Airbrush.
The wavy circular ride and newly designed façade make Megève Express a lively French funfair classic.
Megève Express: What the ride feels like
During the ride, the cars travel together around a curved circular track. This creates a succession of rising and falling sections as you repeatedly pass the spectators. The appeal lies less in one spectacular moment than in the rhythm of the successive turns and changes in height. That is why a ride feels lively, even though it has no loop or free fall.
The view of the fairground is also part of the experience. If you ride with friends, you can enjoy it together. From the outside, the ride is easy to follow too, as the cars repeatedly come into view on the circular track.
General
- Manufacturer
- Sobema (Belgium)
- Model
- Bidule
The history and new look of the mountain-and-valley ride
Before being operated by Aelters, Megève Express was run by Duvert. This documented succession of operators is important for identifying the ride, as several Bidule-type mountain-and-valley rides travel around French funfairs. Megève Express was already listed at the Foire de la Saint-Denis in Saint-Quentin in 2015; the ride was also part of the line-up there in 2016.
A visible change took place in January 2025: the design company ESSA Airbrush repainted all the façades. This gave the well-known ride a refreshed exterior appearance without turning it into a new ride. Updates like these show how traditional travelling rides continue to evolve over many years. The name remained unchanged, linking the ride’s earlier history with its appearance today.
Timeline
Previously known as Duvert, later as Aelters. In January 2025, all the façades were repainted by ESSA Airbrush.
- Operator
- Aelters (France)
- Type of operation
- Travelling
- Status
- Active / in operation
Previous operators
Duvert (France)
Who is Megève Express suitable for?
The swinging ride mainly appeals to visitors who enjoy classic funfair movements and are not looking for extreme inversions. However, don’t underestimate the circular motion: anyone sensitive to repeated changes in direction and height may find it more intense than a gentle circular ride. The access rules displayed at the ride are decisive for children and accompanying adults.
If you’re visiting a French fair, Megève Express offers a good contrast to the large pendulum and overhead rides. You can find more travelling funfair rides in our overview.
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