Parc Asterix Amusement Park

Parc Astérix is a theme amusement park in France, based on the stories of Asterix by Albert Uderzo and René Goscinny and was opened in 1989.

It is especially well known for its large variety of roller coasters, and has begun incorporating rides and themes from historic cultures such as the Romans and the ancient Greeks.

It is also home to the biggest wooden roller coaster in Europe!
With a stunning crash, Zeus lifts you up to the peak of Mount Olympus, at a height of 30m, and propels you at a speed of 80kph along a giddy 1.2 km course for 90 seconds of thunder!

Parc Asterix is very spacious with plenty of attractions to suit everybody from the young child, through to the thrill seekers or the expectant mother who would just like to relax whilst watching one of the many shows on offer.

The park management initially feared that there would be a loss of business due to Disneyland Paris Resort being in such close proximity, but the popularity of both has in fact increased as a result, which is the same synergistic effect seen in other places with multiple theme parks, such as in Orlando, Florida.

When Parc Asterix originally opened and for the first few years, most foreigners had seldom heard about it, but today many of its visitors come from around the world.

Unlike Disneyland Paris that is open all year round, Parc Asterix is only open from April to October and has generally shorter opening hours. However, it is easily visited in one day.

When you first enter Parc Asterix, you do feel like you have gone back years and are in a completely different world, but all the areas are well themed and even though the park is based on the character Asterix, it is not popping in front of you all the time, so you do not feel that you will have to have read the Asterix books.

The main focus of the park is fun for all the family and there are numerous family rides such as Le Grand Splatch, which is a charming ride filled with aquatic effects, water columns and fountains, leading up to a final waterfall of 11 metres - SPLASH!

There are a variety of different shows, such as a dolphin and sea lion show, plus others acted out with some fantastic stunts.

They do not have the usual fast food giants and the food is more typically French, which of course can also make for a healthier option, even though there are the foods available that all children will love!

But unlike other theme parks, when you are waiting to get on a ride, it is more informal and it feels like there is sometimes going to be a "battle" to get the seat that you want.

Yet Parc Asterix will definitely be a day not to forget, so enjoy!