Blockbuster Forest Hill celebrates its 1st anniversary : the climbing offer continues to rise in Île-de-France

Located at 11 Rue Exelmans (near the château) within the Forest Hill complex, this 2,000m² bouldering gym with 8-meter high ceilings celebrates its first anniversary. It’s an opportunity to take a first look back at this gym and the sport of bouldering, which, due to its success, will be included for the second time in Olympic history in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Bouldering: Solo and without ropes

Bouldering involves climbing structures that are 4.10 meters high without ropes, but with crash mats for safety.

An alternative to traditional climbing walls, which require a partner and equipment such as ropes, harnesses, and carabiners, low-height bouldering gyms are becoming increasingly popular. “Bouldering has the advantage of allowing individuals to practice solo, with just their climbing shoes as equipment,” explains Sébastien Kassubeck, founder and CEO of Blocbuster Forest Hill.

The bouldering area at Forest Hill Versailles features numerous wall profiles with varying inclinations and types of holds to cater to both beginners and experienced climbers: “We designed this gym in great detail, with plenty of space to move around, sofas, and friendly communal areas. We pay special attention to the routes, which we change every month. Our route setters create and update the boulders, with 150 in total across all levels to allow our customers to discover the sport, choose the intensity of their session, progress, and improve quickly.”

A gym designed as a “living space”

“It’s an activity we master,” explains Sébastien Kassubeck, an experienced climber who is passionate about the sport. “We designed this space the way we would want it to exist.”

Indeed, Blocbuster Forest Hill offers several services that make it a highly appreciated space in the western suburbs of Paris:

• A “family-friendly” climbing area unique in France for children aged 3 to 12, with walls adapted to their age, ideal for learning body control and coordination. There are modules for “learning while having fun” with different construction and dexterity games.
• A dining area, “Petite cuisine d’Agnès,” offering a brunch from 10:30 AM to 3 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. It features gourmet organic dishes, homemade meals, and desserts, available as à la carte or in a set menu, for on-site or takeaway consumption. There’s even a vegan version and a menu for little climbers!
• A relaxation and wellness area with a sauna: the perfect spot for optimal recovery after a climbing session.
• A space that subscribers can privatize for free once a year.

The “climbing culture,” a lifestyle embraced by all

Beyond its athletic aspect, climbing is a way of life.

“First of all, contact is made quickly at the bouldering gym with other climbers, making this sport very social. Then, the values it promotes, such as self-improvement, along with its benefits – awareness of one’s body, self-confidence, endurance, and cardio – make it more than just a sport, but a true philosophy of life,” explains Sébastien Kassubeck.

It’s no surprise that the gym is often frequented by autistic children or people with disabilities: “Climbing is a very popular means of personal development and fulfillment. It also helps work on the perception of time and space. This sport teaches them to have structure but also to push themselves beyond their limits without really realizing it,” continues Sébastien Kassubeck.

Climbing: an exponential market in Île-de-France

A young and mixed sport (39% of participants worldwide are under 18) and family-oriented, there are over 25 million climbers across 150 countries globally.

Due to its success, climbing will feature in the Paris 2024 Olympics with two events: the combined (bouldering + difficulty) and speed events. This new format comes after the Tokyo Games, where climbing was included for the first time, featuring bouldering, speed, and difficulty.

Nationally, the number of licensed climbers has quadrupled in the past 10 years. Regionally, “the market has exploded in Île-de-France,” explains Sébastien Kassubeck. “Bouldering is already a great alternative to the gym. It’s more fun, more social, and the facilities are top-notch. In fact, many national teams come to train with us.”