Amid the hangars of the Tourlaville industrial estate in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, Normandy, one building caught the eye with its dapper decor and multicolored lighting effects. It was a Saturday evening, and Myriam and Cédric Danet's Cotentin Roller Dance was mesmerizing the locals. Once through the door and around the turnstile, visitors slipped on their skates and took to the track, a 500-square-meter rectangle, to skate to Indochine's "L'Aventurier," their body swept by beams of light. Standing on his wheels, owner Cédric Danet glided towards the railing. "Here, the only rule is to skate counter-clockwise, so as not to jostle each other, but there's no level required. For €9 [€7 for under-16s], you can stay for an hour or four, as you like."

Marjorie and Grégory, 39 and 40, would be skating all evening with their two little ones, aged 9 and 11, protected by elbow and knee pads. "We're just goofing around, trying to follow the lights," said the mother, pointing to the rainbows twirling on the floor amid the 49 other skaters in this special evening of French bands. "And we're having a great time." At Roller Dance, Grégory and Marjorie shook their arms and legs, forgot their age, and without fear of falling. "We too used to roll on quads [skates with four wheels forming a square], before inline skates became fashionable," recalled the dad.

An institution across the Atlantic

On the walls, a local artist graffitied the faces of Bart Simpson, Betty Boop and Super Mario. "It's like a nightclub," said owner Myriam, "except we accept minors." As a BB Brunes hit played, Marilou, Emma and Alyson, three friends, sat on a bench and put on the black and red quads they had just rented for €4.50. "We usually go clubbing," they said, "but this time we wanted a change." First impression? "We could already see the lights from the outside, but the interior design is really cool. It's a nice place for young people on a Saturday night." Behind the counter, the Danets served drinks – all non-alcoholic, to maintain the family spirit. At their side was Loane, their 20-year-old daughter and employee. "Those who don't want to skate can also sit at the refreshment bar, there's something for everyone."

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