If you’re looking for an exciting holiday in France filled with thrilling rides and attractions, then you definitely want to visit some (or all) of the best theme parks in France! There are so many splendid, exciting parks to experience. Here are some amusement parks in France to visit that you just can’t pass up.
8 French Amusement Parks to Visit With Kids
Table of Contents - Click to jump to a section
Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park
Chessy, France
Disneyland Paris is one of the most popular theme parks in all of France, and for good reason. There is something for everyone at DLP. There are actually two parks, Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park. Disneyland has the traditional iconic castle, classic rides & parades and Walt Disney Studios has more newer aspects such as Marvel and Ratatouille.
If you have young Disney enthusiasts in your family, they will be enthralled with all of the sights and sounds. The Disney Hotels alone are a mecca of Disney characters, themed rooms, and bright shops.
Visiting the parks will be unforgettable for your entire family. The themed sections of the park and the Disney characters walking around will captivate your younger children, while the older kids will be impressed by all of the rides and fun restaurants. Adults will also enjoy the food at the themed restaurants and the nonstop fun of the thrilling rides and the relaxing ones!
Disneyland Paris is simply magical at any time of year, but for an even more memorable trip, consider visiting Disneyland Paris around the holidays. Halloween is an exciting time, and Christmas is so special at DLP. The holiday decorations and special events will live in your memories forever! Parades, lights, and fireworks will light up your entire experience.
If you decide not to stay on site, there are plenty of family hotels close to Disneyland Paris too.
Puy Du Fou
Les Epesses, France
A trip to Puy Du Fou is guaranteed to be one of the most captivating experiences your entire family could ask for! You will instantly be transported to medieval times complete with knights, castles, lords, and ladies. There are 6 main seated shows at Puy Du Fou that make you feel as though you are in the middle of a movie set! As if that weren’t enough, there are plenty of walk-through shows that are shorter in length, but equally as impressive.
There is entertainment for children as young as toddlers, but many of the experiences are geared for around 6 years old and up as some parts of the shows might scare the really little kids. Puy Du Fou isn’t just for children either! Plenty of couples and groups of adults enjoy the park as well.
Puy Du Fou may not be your traditional theme park with rides and roller coasters, but what you discover there will blow you away! Not only will you be enthralled with the shows, people, and overall experience, but you will learn quite a bit of French history as well. Prepare to be amazed at how the stories of the Middle Ages come to life as you wander through the sights and sounds of Puy Du Fou.
Parc Astérix
Plailly, France
If you’re looking for a unique experience for your family, Parc Astérix could be exactly what you’re looking for. It is derived from the comic book Asterix, which is popular in French culture, and features the adventures of a Gaul named Asterix who fights Roman occupation in his village. The park is a mix of roller coasters, loony characters from the Asterix comic, and history.
There are 42 rides and attractions in 6 different worlds that embody the history of unique cultures. If you are someone who enjoys comic book culture, or simply learning about past civilizations, this is the place to be! The Roman Empire, Ancient Greece, Vikings, Ancient Egypt, and the village of the Gaulois, where the comic book characters come from, all make a bold appearance.
Although there are many different rides and attractions at Parc Astérix, this theme park is best suited for tweens through adults in terms of age. The thrilling roller coasters attract an older audience, and the historical element is more likely to appeal to those who understand it. Expect a diverse experience when you show up to Parc Astérix.
Parc Astérix is about 50 minutes drive from Paris or 1 hour 20 minute train ride away.
Parc Le Pal
Saint-Porcain-Sur-Besbre, France
Parc Le Pal is the perfect place for all of the animal lovers in your family. It is an interesting blend between a zoo and a theme park. The animal reserve contains over 1000 animals including endangered species from all over the world. This is an amazing destination for kids of any age, and also adults. Whether you’re 9 or 99, you can love and appreciate visiting these beautiful majestic creatures.
In addition to the animal reserve, there are 31 attractions for your family to enjoy. Make a splash at Alligator Bay riding in a boat and getting soaked by water canons from another boat’s attack. If you have young ones, be sure to ride the glorious stallions on their metal track at the Stud Farm. If rides and roller coasters are more your speed, try the Adventurer’s Train, The Rapido, an awesome slide ride, or The Siberian Tiger roller coaster.
There are also some amazing animal shows that will take your breath away. Watch the Birds In Flight show where trainers bring out impressive birds to demonstrate how they hunt and fly. Check out the Sea Lion Ballet, which features charismatic sea lions teaching the audience how to treat their natural environment with love. If animals intrigue you at all, this park has everything you could ever ask for!
Futuroscope
Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, near Poitiers, France
Futuroscope certainly has some of the most one-of-a-kind attractions for visitors to take in and enjoy. There are 40 attractions with rides, shows, thrills, journeys, and fun games to experience that whisk you away to the future! Many of the shows and thrills are geared toward older kids or adults, but there is plenty to do for youngsters too. They can play at the Futuropolis Airport, which features various aircraft-themed playground equipment. The Aquatic Garden and Waterworks allow your little ones to laugh, play, and get wet on a hot day.
If your kids are a bit older and have a slightly longer attention span, they will no doubt enjoy the magic show, the evening show about the legendary Sandman, and The Time Machine ride. You’ll learn a ton on Tornado Chasers and Destination Mars rides that are as informative as they are exciting.
There are also some awesome themed hotels to stay at when you visit Futuroscope. Try Hotel Station Cosmos Futuroscope where your futuristic room gives you the feeling of being a passenger on a space base. Or Hôtel du Parc – Pirates where the rooms are pirate themed. If you’re more of a literary nut, stay at Hôtel Kyriad which has themed rooms styled after the fanciful and technological world of Jules Verne. No matter what fascinates you about the future, you will find it somewhere at the intriguing Futuroscope.
Jardin d’Acclimatation
Paris, France
Jardin d’Acclimatation is an exciting Paris theme park that has a little something for everyone. This park has thrilling rides like a theme park, but also a farm, workshops, open-aired exhibits, and restaurants. All situated in one of the world’s most beautiful cities!
The attractions range from kiddie rides to roller coasters and a rafting ride for older children. Their website lists minimum heights listed for each attraction so you can gauge which rides your own kids can safely enjoy. The workshops are for ages 3-11 and feature music, sports, art, and theoretical lessons.
Even if your family is less into thrill-seeking and more into nature, Jardin d’Acclimatation makes an exceptional setting for a lovely stroll. It provides a peaceful oasis in the midst of a bustling city where you can breathe some fresh air and relax. There is 160 years French history nestled in all of that green, so go ahead an explore!
Walibi Rhône-Alpes
Les Avenières, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
This family-centric amusement park is sure to please everyone. It features 3 different thematic areas: Explorer Adventure, Festival City, and Exotic Island. For the younger kids, there are play areas in each themed area. Exotic Island has water parks for the kids, which are separated by age group. Explorer Adventure and Fesitval City have playgrounds where children can romp around, giggle, and have a blast!
There are also rides for families that everyone can experience together. Check out the Concert’o, where you ride through a river and receive all of the sensations and sounds of a water adventure. Or the Carousel, where you can choose your favorite horse and listen to quirky music as you ride. For the older kids and adults who are roller coaster enthusiasts, try the Timber, Generator, and Mystic for the thrills and excitement you’re craving.
Walibi also gets all decked out for Halloween or what they call Walloween! There’s a ton to do for older kids and adults who really love the holiday. Visit their Camp of Fear or Voodoo City, or 1 of their 4 harrowing Haunted Houses. If you’re looking for Halloween fun, but not as much horror, choose the pumpkin carving or face painting workshops or a treasure hunt or magic show. Walloween is a mix of festive, delightful, and spooky!
Bagatelle
Merlimont, France
Bagatelle is a classic amusement park that serves families of all ages from toddlers to adults. It was built in 1955, making it the oldest theme park in France. Young children can visit Baggy Kid’s Universe, where they can go on rides like the Small Canoe, The Circle of Turtles, or The Crazy Drivers.
They can also play in the ball pool or on the inflatables. Slightly older kids can try the Kid’z Coaster or the Adventure Course. There are certainly enough options for children’s rides to keep both parents and children happy.
The Little Friends Farm and City of Insects are also excellent sources of amusement for toddlers, preschoolers, and school age kids. The farm has cute animals for everyone to admire and fawn over. The City of Insects features an insect hotel where you can see butterflies, bees, ladybugs, and earwigs up close.
Older kids may be more interested in the roller coasters and shows. There are 8 thrill rides in the Baggy Fun Universe, including the Triops, which the park is known for. Bagatelle also boasts of the Crazy Show 2.0. This show is described as comical, magical, and interactive all at once. There is a magician and unique performances during this 30 minute experience.
No matter which theme parks fulfil all of the wants and desires of your family, you are sure to have a great time. The entertainment, rides, and attractions at these locations offer so much in the way of fun and adventure. You will create so many amazing memories with your family, so get out there and enjoy!
If you have enjoyed this post and found it useful, here are some ways you can say thanks and support Flying With A Baby
1. Click here to buy me a virtual coffee (thank you so much!)
2. Join our Family Travel Forum: TRAVEL WITH KIDS WORLDWIDE Facebook Group here which includes lots of ideas & tips for things to do, places to visit around the globe and more with input from members who live or visit these places regularly.
3. Click here to sign up for the latest family travel tips, guides and competitions.
3. Share this post with your friends.
4. Follow Flying With A Baby on the following platforms for exclusive content :
Thank you for your support as always.