Disneyland Paris is the reason people think of France. But there are plenty of other fantastic theme parks and amusement parks in the nation that are well worth a visit. Here are the places you must visit if you’re planning a trip and want to see the top parks in the nation.
Top 10 fantastic Amusement parks in France
- Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris
- La Fête Des Loges
- Puy du Fou
- Le Jardin D’acclimatation
- Cité de l’Espace
- Parc Astérix
- Futuroscope in Chasseneuil-du-Poitou
- Vulcania
- Walibi Rhône-Alpes in Les Avenières
- Nigloland
Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Park is one of the most well-known theme parks in the world, the park with the biggest attendance in Europe, and the most popular tourist destination in France, receiving up to 10 million visitors annually. It mimics the traditional style of California’s first Disneyland Park. Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Main Street USA, and “it’s a small world” are among the attractions that share its lands.
Additionally, it has distinctive components, including Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, a launch coaster, and Phantom Manor, a spin on the Haunted Mansion. In the opinion of visitors, the most beautiful park in the Disneyland chain is Disneyland Paris. The Disney resort is about 20 miles from Paris and is easily accessible by train and shuttle from the airports of the city.
La Fête Des Loges
La Fête des Loges, another well-known fairground worth seeing, is situated in the middle of a forest near Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 20 kilometers from the heart of Paris. This well-known fair began as a hunting lodge in 1138, but starting in 1652, the area gradually changed into a public space where Parisians gathered to mingle and get away from the grim urban life of the city.
There are over 200 attractions, as you might expect from a fairground. Still, it has one unique element called “Allée des Cuisines” (Kitchen Alley): a 300-meter culinary section with about 15 brasseries and restaurants in the Parisian style that serve classic French cuisine.
Everything is available from beef brochette and burgers to steak tartare with haché and andouillette. But the signature meal, “cochon de lait rôti à l’ancienne,” or roast suckling, has been a tradition since the 17th century and is a must-try (unless you’re a vegetarian). Summer hours at La Fête des Loges are from the end of June to the middle of August.
Puy du Fou
A theme park called Puy du Fou receives 2 million visitors annually. Additionally, it is highly well-liked by the French. In particular, Philippe de Villiers, who discovered the remnants of a medieval castle and organized a spectacle, is to be thanked for giving it a historical theme. Most performances occur outside in picturesque settings reminiscent of Vikings, musketeers, and sword wars. The performances feature thousands of costumes, brilliant actors, and unique effects like fireworks and water.
The Cinéscénie is the primary performance and the most significant nightly production that requires reservations. The only indoor one is Richelieu’s Musketeers, while the other two are The Secret of the Lance and The Secret of the Lance, in which a shepherdess protects her home from English knights. In addition to the shows, the park has themed dining establishments and a hotel.
Le Jardin D’acclimatation
The park has experienced several changes as it has evolved through time. It was first opened by Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie in 1860 as Société Impériale Zoologique d’Acclimatation (Imperial Zoological Acclimatisation Society).
Thankfully, other cultures’ unusual humans are no longer a draw unless you consider people-watching. With over 42 attractions, rides, and fair-like activities, including miniature roller coasters, swing rides, mini karts, pony rides, a splash park, and more than 450 animals and birds, it is currently a well-liked amusement park for young Parisians (as well as tourists).
The park just had a 60-million-euro makeover, replacing some of the older rides from the 1960s with 17 new ones. A handful of the new attractions appear to be awesome steampunk rides from the past. If you want to ride all the rides, make sure to buy the pass; otherwise, you’ll have to pay for each one separately, which can be pretty pricey.
Cité de l’Espace
Space enthusiasts and sky dreamers will like this theme park, where you can celebrate the scientific advancements made possible by man’s space exploration. In addition to the interactive exhibits at the exhibition center, the gems on display range from a full-size model of the Mir space station and an Ariane 5 rocket to the Soyuz spacecraft, an observation dome, an IMAX theater, and a planetarium. The moonwalk simulator is the absolute highlight.
Parc Astérix
The Adventures of Astérix, a comic book series by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, is the inspiration for the theme park Parc Astérix. It comes second to Disneyland in terms of annual visitors with 2 million. It’s hardly surprising given that it doesn’t lag when it comes to decorative attractions that draw from Roman, Gallic, as well as Greek, and Egyptian culture.
The primary attractions include roller coasters, including Goudurix in the Vikings section, Oziris, an inverted coaster. And Menhir Express, an aquatic coaster. Numerous rides, including the Asterix parade and the Romus et Rapidus raft trip, are appropriate for children. The French-language programs “Du Rififi dans la basse-cour” and “Gaulois-Romains: Le Match” are also available.
Futuroscope in Chasseneuil-du-Poitou
Futuroscope, which is well-known for its modernist structures, blends cerebral, narrative-based Disney-style attractions with some high-adrenaline rides. The Extraordinary Journey, a flying theater production (similar to Disney’s Soarin’); Destination Mars, a coaster-based attraction; and Arthur, the 4D Adventure, are a few of the attractions (based on the animated character). The Key to Dreams, a show that the park puts on at night that incorporates dancing lights and projected images on water screens is sure to please the crowd. Outside of Poitiers in western France is Futuroscope.
Vulcania
In addition to being housed in a strange cone-shaped structure and having most of its attractions underground, Vulcania is an unusual theme park since it is tucked away in the middle of the Auvergne. The park contains unexpected elements like geysers and a ton of water activities as it explores the nearby volcanoes that shaped the gorgeous environment long ago. It’s not just fun but also quietly informative, thanks to the interactive displays that explain the planet and its intriguing dynamics. This includes rides like the Magma Explorer that will transport you into the center of molten lava or going on a “Magical Odyssee” with Martin and Titania.
Walibi Rhône-Alpes in Les Avenières
One of France’s largest and most exhilarating amusement parks is Walibi Rhône-Alpes. One of its five roller coasters, Mystic, has three inversions, a vertical lift hill, climbs 102 feet, and reaches 53 mph. Timber, a timber roller coaster from Walibi, with 11 airtime moments. The 50-meter-tall swing ride, Hurricane, the Gold River raft ride, and the Bambooz River log flume are favorites. Slides and other wet activities are available at Fermeture Aqualibi, a small water play facility. There are shuttle buses available from Lyon, Chambéry, and other places to this location in the southeast of France.
Nigloland
Walibi Rhône-Alpes is among France’s largest and most thrilling theme parks. One of its five roller coasters, Mystic, climbs 102 feet with a vertical lift hill, three inversions, and a top speed of 53 mph. Walibi’s Timber roller coaster has eleven airtime moments. Other favorites include:
- The Hurricane.
- The Gold River raft ride.
- The Bambooz River log flume.
- The 50-meter-tall swing ride.
A modest water play area called Fermeture Aqualibi offers slides and other wet games. Shuttle buses run to this location in the southeast of France from Lyon, Chambéry, and other locations.
