A wandering giant in the Ardennes forest
High above the Lac des Vieilles-Forges, among the fir trees of Elfy Park, a wooden giant watches over the forest. His name is Valdemar the Walker. He stands 3.50 m tall, carries a house on his back and leans on a long walking stick.
He was created by Thomas Dambo, the Danish artist famous worldwide for his giant trolls made of reclaimed wood. According to Trollmap, the artist’s official map, no Thomas Dambo troll had been installed in France before him.
Valdemar in numbers
No. 73
in Thomas Dambo’s catalogue
3.50 m
tall and 2.10 m wide
2021
arrived at Elfy Park
4 days
of on-site assembly
1st
Thomas Dambo troll in France
From Copenhagen to Les Mazures: Valdemar’s story
It all starts with a sketch. Thomas Dambo draws a travelling troll, walking stick in hand and a small house on his back, with a ladder to climb up to it. The measurements are already there in pencil, with a small human figure for scale.
Thomas Dambo’s trolls are usually built on site, during community builds where local volunteers help the artist’s team put them together. Valdemar’s story was different. In 2021, in the middle of the Covid pandemic, he was built entirely in Thomas Dambo’s workshop in Copenhagen, Denmark. He then travelled in pieces all the way to the Ardennes.
In early April 2021, the legs, the body and the house arrived at Elfy Park on a frosty morning. On the front of the house, a felt-pen inscription: “Made in Denmark”. Santiago and Christopher, two members of the artist’s team, came to assemble him in 4 days in the heart of the forest.
A travelling troll who came from afar to settle in the Ardennes forest: a fitting start in life for a giant called the Walker.
Why “the Walker”?
Thomas Dambo writes a short poem for each of his trolls. Valdemar’s tells of a giant who walks around the world with a house on his back. Tiny people live inside, and Valdemar carries them along so they can admire the beauty of land and sea, mountains and water.
At Elfy Park, children become those tiny people by climbing the ladder up to his little house. A story that suits the park perfectly: taking time to explore, observe and play in nature.
Thomas Dambo, the artist who turns waste into giants
Thomas Dambo is a Danish artist. From Copenhagen, he builds giant trolls out of reclaimed wood: old pallets, construction planks, wood that was going to be thrown away. More than a hundred of his trolls are now hidden in forests, parks and cities all over the world.
His message is simple and speaks to children: what we throw away can become something else. Valdemar is living proof… or almost.
Valdemar is listed on Thomas Dambo’s official page and on Trollmap, the world map of his creations.
Are you a troll hunter?
All over the world, families go looking for Thomas Dambo’s trolls and tick them off one by one on Trollmap, the artist’s map.
At Valdemar’s feet, look for his official plaque: it shows his number, 073, his name and a QR code. A souvenir photo is a must!
France has two Thomas Dambo trolls: Valdemar, the first, here in the Ardennes, and Gargan, installed later near Rouen. Two good reasons for a road trip.
Where to see Valdemar
Valdemar lives at Elfy Park, the forest leisure park at Lac des Vieilles-Forges in Les Mazures (French Ardennes). He stands inside the park, which welcomes children from age 2.
Elfy Park – 6 rue du Lac, 08500 Les Mazures – Lac des Vieilles-Forges, Ardennes. Opening hours, prices and directions: practical info.
🪜 A ladder leads up to Valdemar’s little house: you can climb it, one person at a time. But Valdemar is still a wooden work of art: climb gently and with respect, so he can keep standing for a long time.
For a full day out, combine Elfy Park and Le Corsaire Volant, the treetop adventure park next door (from age 6), with the Pass-Partout.
Frequently asked questions about Valdemar
Where is Valdemar the Walker?
At Elfy Park, Lac des Vieilles-Forges, in Les Mazures in the French Ardennes (6 rue du Lac, 08500 Les Mazures). He stands inside the park.
Who created Valdemar?
Danish artist Thomas Dambo. Valdemar the Walker is his work no. 73. It was commissioned by Elfy Park and installed in 2021.
How big is Valdemar?
Valdemar is 3.50 m tall and 2.10 m wide, not counting his walking stick, which rises above his head. That’s roughly two adults standing on each other’s shoulders.
Is it the first Thomas Dambo troll in France?
Yes. According to Trollmap, the artist’s official map, Valdemar (no. 73, 2021) is the first Thomas Dambo troll installed in France. The second, Gargan, is near Rouen.
What is Valdemar made of?
Reclaimed wood, like all of Thomas Dambo’s trolls. He was built in the artist’s workshop in Copenhagen, then assembled at Elfy Park in 4 days, in April 2021.
Can you see Valdemar for free?
No. Valdemar stands inside Elfy Park: you need a park ticket, which also gives access to all the activities. Prices: practical info.
Can you climb Valdemar?
Yes, using the ladder up to the little house on his back, one person at a time. Valdemar is still a wooden work of art: climb carefully and with respect.
How do I add Valdemar to my Trollmap list?
Open Valdemar’s page on Trollmap and mark him as found during your visit.
Come and meet Valdemar
You may have seen giant trolls in photos. But have you ever come across one in the middle of a forest in the Ardennes? Valdemar is waiting for you at Elfy Park, among games, nature and Ardennes legends.