Which site in Dordogne offers fun archery?

OOpen since the beginning of summer in Château-l’Évêque, Arc Game 24 offers a host of activities which have the same purpose: throwing an object towards a target. However, none of the 18 challenges offered on the site are alike. Three projectiles are available: the axe, the ball (which you make fly with your slingshot) and the arrow. It is mainly around archery that several shooting ranges are offered from 10 years old. After having scrutinized and analyzed the exploits of the French men’s archery team, silver medalist at the Olympic Games, at ‘DL’ too, we want to shine with bow in hand.

Between archery and board games

With Rémi, a photographer who is used to aiming with his camera, our discovery of Arc Game 24 begins with an explanation of the safety instructions and a complete initiation. Position of the hand carrying the bow, the one stringing the string, the elbow, the shoulders, the eye in relation to the arrow: everything is explained before letting us shoot three arrows at a target. training located about ten meters away. Result of the races: draw, we respectively placed our arrows in similar zones. It will therefore be necessary to decide between the other tests concocted by the managers of the place: Jérôme and Alexis.

To reach the first challenge of our circuit, we cross the forest and pass all the activities offered. “There were a lot of sleepless nights designing them all,” smiles Jérôme Ramos. And for good reason, it’s not just about shooting accurately at different targets. “We wanted to mix archery and different well-known and unifying board games. » Jumbled together, we find revisited classics: hangman, where you have to shoot the letters to find the right word, a memory, where you turn over the cards by touching a customized target, or, and among others , a naval battle where you must hit the correct square to hope to sink a ship. A plurality of activities which can quickly become time-consuming if you have a high sense of competition.

Courses suitable for duels

Here we are, faced with our first challenge: three targets, spaced 5, 7 and 14 meters apart, and three arrows. The one with the best score wins. I go first and miss my shot which should have been the easiest. If the target is well hit, I am far from the center which Rémi finds perfectly. Already five points to make up! On our second attempt, we both hit the red zone surrounding the middle of the target. Everything will therefore be decided on the last arrow. I set off and it’s close to the center! Eight more points. For his part, Rémi makes his least precise shot but still finds the target with enough precision to prevent me from catching up with him.

Now on to a stand resembling trap shooting. A foam target is thrown several meters from the ground: it’s up to us to hit it before it falls. Our first two arrows are respectively launched too early and too late. “You always need a first to get your feet wet,” Jérôme reassures us. While I aim at the target when it stagnates at its highest point, Rémi tries to hit it when it comes down. And after several attempts, his method proves to be the best: he hits! So I decide to change my mind and use his technique. I draw my bow, aim and shoot as soon as the target falls to the ground. But our two arrows, which were going towards the target, cross each other, collide and deflect each other. Once again, Rémi beats me!

Ax and sling

Jérôme and Alexis, having several strings to their bows, suggested that we try ax throwing. Alexis explains to us the position to take, which is different from that of archery and gives us some advice to be sure to hit the target: having good technique and maintaining a good distance are important to be sure that the sharp part hits the wooden target. And what satisfaction when the ax lands perfectly!

Another unusual activity offered on site: shooting balls using a slingshot. But be careful, here there is no question of using an old piece of stick and a loose rubber band: our slingshot has a level and weighs its weight! “The slingshot always brings together the grandparents and the youngest,” Jérôme explains to me. To hit our targets (small red circles) with our metal balls, you have to take a position similar to archery. And after a few warm-up throws, I hit two targets in a row, then a third a few attempts later. A great way to end our discovery session before returning to try the other challenges.

Arc Game 24 in La Chabrerie, Château-l’Évêque. Open every day in August from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Schedule in September and October depending on the weather. Information and reservations on 06 84 37 00 57. Prices: initiation and a course 17 euros adults, 15 euros for 10-17 year olds. Slingshot: 5 euros for 40 balls. Axes: 13 euros per hour.