Tonnerre 2 Zeus

The original Tonnerre de Zeus opened in April 1997 as the second wooden roller coaster built in France after Walygator Parc's Anaconda, and the park's second large-scale coaster after Goudurix in 1989. No other wooden coasters were built in France until Walibi Rhône-Alpes – also owned by Parc Astérix operator Compagnie des Alpes – debuted Timber in 2016. Built by the Gravity Group, Timber was constructed at a cost of €4.2 million and was well received by the public. In 2019, the park began a three-phase renovation project on the coaster in which 85% of the track and structure would be replaced. Tonnerre 2 Zeus was officially announced by Parc Astérix on June 24, 2021, which would revitalize the coaster's image and conclude the renovations. The lead car of the new Timberliner trains was unveiled at the IAAPA Expo Europe in Barcelona on September 28, 2021. Tonnerre de Zeus officially held its last day of operation prior to the final stage of its transformation on November 7. The new Timberliners were delivered in late March 2022, and Tonnerre 2 Zeus held its grand re-opening on April 9. Parc Astérix announced yet another two-year renovation effort for Tonnerre 2 Zeus on November 29, 2025, this time in partnership with Rocky Mountain Construction. Approximately 60% of the layout will be replaced with the company's steel 208 ReTrak during the 2026 and 2027 winter seasons. ==Ride Experience==

Riders exit the station and make a right-hand turn, proceeding into the tall chain lift hill. Upon reaching the top, yet another right hand turn sends the train down its initial drop and into a below ground tunnel, reaching a top speed of . Following a turnaround, the coaster proceeds into a signature 90-degree banked airtime hill. A speed bump underneath the lift hill sends the train through a banked turnaround (previously a 540 degree clockwise helix prior to 2022) and then through a series of straight hills spanning the coaster site, before being greeted by yet another lower-ground turnaround. Crossing the layout yet again, riders navigate a left-hand turnaround into a darkened tunnel with smoke and strobe effects. A few more banked airtime moments lead to a final 270° counterclockwise helix, thus sending the train into the brake run. One ride on Tonnerre de Zeus lasts about 2 minutes and 5 seconds. ==Characteristics==

Statistics Prior to the retrack, Tonnerre 2 Zeus was tall, long, and reached a top speed of throughout the ride. Following the refurbishment, the peak speed was increased to and a total of 14 airtime moments were accounted for, although the track has been shortened due to the elimination of the double helix. Much of the original structure was built out of American Yellow Pine. The rows were replaced with two forwards-facing cars for the 2024 season. ==References==