France is more than art, food, and quaint villages; it has some of the most spectacular theme parks in Europe. Whether it is fairy tale castles, water rides, or futuristic rides, everyone is guaranteed to have fun. This list includes the best parks, the best places to visit, as well as valuable tips to ensure you put together an excellent family trip.
Disneyland Paris: The Classic Choice
Trying to discuss the theme parks, there is no way not to begin with the most renowned one, the French one. Disneyland Paris has been delighting tourists since 1992, and it is a must-visit destination for families to experience the traditional Disney magic. It is a train ride away, situated right on the outskirts of the city, comprising two quite different parks, Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.
Disneyland Park
It is the core of the experience because the fairy tales become a reality. A total of five themed lands comprise the park, each with its own unique atmosphere. You can discover the wild frontiers of Frontierland, go on an adventure in Adventureland, live on the dream of a king in Fantasyland, and go back to the future in Discoveryland.
Key Attractions:
- Sleeping Beauty's Castle: The iconic centerpiece of the park is a sight to behold.
- Big Thunder Mountain: A thrilling roller coaster ride on a runaway mine train.
- Pirates of the Caribbean: A classic boat ride through scenes of swashbuckling pirates.
- It's a Small World: A gentle ride perfect for younger children, showcasing cultures from around the globe.
Walt Disney Studios Park
This park, adjacent to each other, offers a backstage view of movie, animation, and television sets. It hosts some of the most preferred contemporary attractions at Disney, such as the new Avengers Campus.
Key Attractions:
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: A heart-pounding drop ride for the bravest family members.
- Crush's Coaster: A spinning roller coaster that takes you on a journey through the East Australian Current with characters from Finding Nemo.
- Ratatouille: The Adventure: A 4D ride that shrinks you down to the size of a rat for a culinary adventure across Parisian rooftops.
Disneyland Paris is a fantastic choice for families with children of all ages, offering a universally beloved experience packed with nostalgia and excitement.
Parc Astérix: A Gallic Adventure
The authentic French theme park experience will be found in Parc Astérix. More to the point, as a part of the popular series of comic books Astérix and Obélix, this park sends you back to the time when the Gauls were struggling against the Roman Empire. It is 35 km north of Paris and boasts great roller coasters, entertainment, and historical themes.
Parc Astérix is divided into six areas, each representing a different world, as depicted in the comics, including Gaul, the Roman Empire, Ancient Greece, and Egypt.
Key Attractions:
- Tonnerre 2 Zeus: A massive wooden roller coaster that has been consistently ranked as one of the best in Europe. It's fast, intense, and not for the faint of heart.
- OzIris: An inverted roller coaster where your feet dangle as you soar through loops and twists, themed around an Egyptian adventure.
- Goudurix: A steel roller coaster famous for its seven inversions, offering a disorienting but thrilling experience.
- The Forest of Idefix: A dedicated area for the youngest visitors, featuring gentle rides and playgrounds.
The theme park Dubusdorf is perfect with older kids and teenagers who are fond of adventure, but even very young kids will enjoy it.
Puy du Fou: History Comes Alive
There is no similar theme park in the world to Puy du Fou. It is more about shows and performances on a grand scale, rather than rides, taking one back in history. It is situated in the Vendée, Western France, and has won numerous awards due to its outstanding performances and historical reconstruction of villages.
The park is known for hosting great shows that utilize thousands of actors, hundreds of horses, and fantastic special effects. You can stroll through the villages, which were recreated at different times, and there is also a medieval city and a Viking fort.
Key Shows:
- Les Vikings: Witness a Viking longship emerge from the water to attack a peaceful village in a stunning display of pyrotechnics and stunt work.
- Le Signe du Triomphe: It is a great spectacle that takes place in a Gallo-Roman stadium where prisoners struggle to get their freedom over the gladiators, chariots.
- Le Bal des Oiseaux Fantômes: The magic show, in which hundreds of birds of prey--falcon, eagles, owls, etc. fly over the heads of the spectators at all moments.
- La Cinéscénie: The spectacular evening performance of its theater, the biggest stage in the world, with more than 2,500 actors, and performing the legend about the land of the Vendée. This performance requires its own ticket and typically sells out several months in advance.
Puy du Fou is an exceptional family vacation spot with historical or theatre lovers as well as those who enjoy unreal spectacles. It is not only informative but also very entertaining, and a pleasing experience for all ages.
Futuroscope: A Vision of the Future
Located in the direct environs of Poitiers, Futuroscope is a multimedia, cinematography, future-oriented theme park. It features a beautiful and contemporary design, accompanied by various 3D Cinemas, 4D cinemas, interactive games, and sensory experiences.
Futuroscope is an entertaining and educational place full of interest for curious people. Attractions are aimed at stimulating the senses and manipulating the perception of reality.
Key Attractions:
- Dances with Robots: Strap into a giant robotic arm and dance to the rhythm of Martin Solveig's playlist.
- The Extraordinary Journey: The Extraordinary Journey, an award-winning (Best European Attraction) flight theater adventure ride, celebrates flying through excellence on the five continents of the globe like a bird.
- Objectif Mars: A unique roller coaster designed to simulate a mission to space, complete with indoor and outdoor sections and special effects.
- Arthur, the 4D Adventure: Join the world of the Minimoys in a thrilling 4D simulation created by acclaimed director Luc Besson.
Futuroscope would be suitable for families with school-going children, as well as teenagers with interests in science and technological advancements, complemented by immersive internet experiences.
Planning Your Family Adventure
The selection of the appropriate theme park will be based on your family, and this will include the age of your children and the type of experience you need.
- For classic fairy tale magic and characters, Disneyland Paris is unbeatable.
- For world-class roller coasters with a uniquely French twist, head to Parc Astérix.
- For an unforgettable journey through history filled with epic shows, Puy du Fou is the clear winner.
- For a modern, high-tech experience that will wow the whole family, Futuroscope is your best bet.
Conclusion
France is an excellent place to visit as a family holiday destination. There is also something to enjoy, given that it offers numerous attractions and activities. Whether it is a world-renowned theme park, a historical landmark, or a cultural attraction, France has it all. And then why not begin organizing your next family Islands adventure in this beautiful country? Therefore, stop procrastinating and pack your bags so you can have a fun time of enjoyment and a few memories to take home from France.
