If you are planning on a family holiday to France then you should consider trying one of the many theme and amusement parks. Here is a list of the ten best amusement parks in France that could provide you with the ideal weekend and will definitely keep you and the kids busy.
Disneyland Paris, Marne-La-Vallee, Ile-de-France
Meet up with Mickey, Minnie and all their friends. This is the largest amusement park in France and there can be nothing better than discovering the full magic of the Walt Disney cartoons on a life-sized scale. You can also check out attractions such as the Mine Train, Space Mountain, the haunted house or the Indiana Jones’ Temple of Doom!
Futuroscope, Poitiers, Poitou-Charentes
Futuroscope has become one of the best amusement parks in France. The theme is multimedia and audio-visual cinematographic techniques of the future. The idea is to show innovative and technological subjects to kids where they can learn about culture, science, the environment or simply be entertained. Many of the attractions consist of 3D projections in huge theaters, including a dive into the world of Arthur and the Invisibles (from the film by Luc Besson). You can also take a tour of the rehistoric seabed or walk under an arch to rediscover the best-known works of the painter Vincent Van Gogh.
Parc Asterix, Plailly, Oise
As its name suggests, Parc Asterix is a tribute to characters from the cartoon of Albert Uderzo and Rene Goscinny. Kids love the adventures of Asterix, Obelix and their faithful dog Idefix and this is the most most visited in amusement park in France just after Disneyland. The park offers many attractions that allow you to discover the Gallic and Roman world and the rides will delight thrill seekers, whilst other attractions such as a small boat ride are perfect for children!
Cité de l’Espace, Toulouse, Haute-Garonne
A planetarium, stellarium, an IMAX theater, a re-construction of the MIR space station and the Ariane 5 rocket… it’s a journey to the stars all offered at the Cité de l’Espace in Toulouse. The Space City lets you discover what is happening across in space and even allows you board space shuttle – a truly unique experience. Toulouse serves as capital of European aerospace industry and is home to companies such as Airbus who sponsor this theme park.
Puy du Fou, The Epesses, Vendee
Here is an amusement park for children that love the adventures of medieval knights and ancient Rome! All of the major shows are held in arenas or castles and depict the vikings, gladiators, knights or musketeers of Richelieu. You can watch gladiator fights with lions and tigers, fights between knights or a raptor show. The park includes several themed villages including the Medieval City and a village from the 18th century.
The Sand Sea, Ermenonville, Oise
This theme park celebrates the continents and is located in a unique forest setting. This park is ideal for adventurers as the program features tree climbing, walking in sand dunes, rides on a turbulent river, climbing a suspension bridge, and even a safari.
France Miniature, Elancourt, Yvelines
Rediscover the beauty and rich heritage of France. This amazing amusement park offers you the opportunity to visit France in a whole day all in a miniature format. You will travel through France on a map which has been placed over 5 hectares letting you walk in the middle of 116 replicas of the finest monuments and landscapes on a 1/30th scale model. You can step over the Seine and Mont Saint-Michel in this miniature park and it’s ideal for children to discover the diversity and beauty of French history.
Marineland, Antibes, Provence
Do you like Flipper and the underwater world in general? Then Marineland is for you! This amusement park offers stunning water shows with dolphins, sea lions and orcas in the day and evening. You might also like to check out the polar bears in the park, the fascinating shark tunnel that will remind you of Jaws (but less terrifying) sea lions or seals. You can also spend the day in the complex Aquasplash which lies at the heart of the park and which is entirely dedicated to wave pools, giant slides and other water games.
Walibi Aquitaine and Rhone Alps
Walibi parks are huge parks that offer impressive roller coasters, crossings of waterfalls, carousel rides, a 3D cinema and dozens of other attractions. There are two Walibi parks in France: Aquitaine (near Rocquefort) and one in the Rhone-Alpes (The Avenières).
Vulcania, Auvergne
This theme park teaches children about Planet Earth. This includes all the natural phenomena that take place and also world history. You can watch displays that show you what would happen if the Auvergne volcanoes erupted one day, hop on a shuttle that takes you straight into the magma chamber of a volcano or perform a real-time virtual journey that gives you live views from the Earth’s satellites.
Author Bio: Jane Middlemass is a travel and vacations journalist who guest posts on various travel websites and blogs. If you are looking for more vacation guides to foreign countries then she recommends the Wall Street Journal Weekend Edition – click on the link below so you can get a subscription today and start planning your next family holiday:
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