Women at Parc Astérix: Two Career Paths, One Shared Passion

On International Women’s Day, Parc Astérix shines a spotlight on the women who bring the park to life every day with passion and dedication. Women make up 49 percent of the workforce – some with more than 30 years of service. Two portraits show how diverse and fulfilling careers can be in the Gaulish village: from heading the painting department to serving as product manager for confectionery and merchandising.

Jordane Lemaître has been with Parc Astérix for six years and has led the painting department for the past two. Her journey started at 15 as an intern. She then spent 13 years as a freelance decorative painter for the park before joining the permanent team. Today she manages a crew of building painters and decorative painters – a profession that has welcomed women for nearly 60 years. “My days are never the same – I love waking up in the morning not knowing exactly what to expect,” Jordane says enthusiastically. Her biggest challenge was stepping up from technician to team leader: “One of my greatest challenges was taking over a department where I had previously worked as a technician.”

She believes mindsets are changing and that technical professions are becoming more open to women. “Professional diversity is essential and brings great enrichment,” she notes, encouraging others: “You need self-confidence, you have to be passionate about what you do and give it everything. The key is to believe in it and keep going.” For Jordane, feeling good in her work environment is what matters most – and that’s exactly what Parc Astérix offers with its varied world.

Ingrid Schmidt also embodies this long-term passion. She joined in 1994 as a seasonal administrative assistant in kiosk catering and turned a temporary job into a career spanning more than 30 years. The operational years from 1997 onward, especially the opening of Tonnerre de Zeus, were particularly formative. Today, as product manager, she is responsible for licensed products, generic items and the entire confectionery range. “My role is to build, organize and manage product lines that are coherent, attractive and commercially successful,” she explains. This involves trend analysis, assortment planning and close coordination with internal teams and suppliers.

Her message to young women is clear: “Dare! Get involved and don’t censor yourselves!” As Michelle Obama puts it so well: “There is no limit to what we can accomplish.” For Ingrid, the Gaulish Village thrives on team spirit and diversity: “This collaborative dynamic enables innovative collections and the successful mastering of every challenge.” Her advice: “Every position is just a step, not a box. Nothing is set in stone. What counts is continuous development. A career is not a straight line, but a chain of opportunities to seize.”

Two women, two completely different paths – yet the same passion for Parc Astérix. A powerful message that in the Gaulish village, there is room for every career dream.