The classic French seaside resort of Le Touquet has been transformed into a Masai desert this summer through an ‘African Safari’ themed sand sculpture festival. From now until 31 August, visitors to the town will find themselves transported to the African desert and lost amongst hundreds of elaborate African figures made of sand.
Following the highly successful inaugural festival in 2007, when over 120,000 people came to see the Egyptian sand sculptures, this year’s visitors will be taken through Central Africa, following the trail of the Masai, with the sculptures recreating a traditional African environment including huge elephants and lions. Against a backdrop of natural vegetation and green areas, suited to the African safari theme, the sculptures this year are built along the boulevard by the waterfront of Le Touquet.
An impressive spectacle, over 2,000 tonnes of sand have been used to create the sculptures this year, with over 24 professional artists coming from across Europe and as far afield as Canada, Mexico and Russia.
The sand sculpture exhibition is open every day from 10am to 6pm until 31 August 2008, with occasional night visits also offered. Entrance tickets cost 6 euros for adults, 5 euros for concessions, 4 euros for children aged 6-11 and those under six visit free. For more information, visit www.letouquet.com
