Camping weekend ideas: theme parks

Walibi Rhône-Alpes - Mystic © Benoit Gillardeau

 

Although France is better known for its cultural and natural heritage, it has many amusement parks which have become increasingly popular in recent years. Although their history began two centuries ago in Paris, it was at the end of the 20th century and throughout the country that the multiplication of these places really began. A place of relaxation par excellence, let yourself be tempted by our selection of the most beautiful amusement parks in France, a unique opportunity to share moments of laughter, emotion and fun for young and old. And of course, we tell you where to find a campsite nearby.

Go back to your childhood and find all your favourite characters:

Disneyland Paris is Europe's number one tourist destination, and its enchanting world attracts millions of visitors every year. On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, Disneyland Paris invites you to discover a brand new show: new floats, new songs and a vibrant compilation of some twenty Disney songs. As soon as night falls, another moment of intense emotion will accompany Disney Illuminations, one of the favourite shows for visitors. New magical gardens will be installed in the heart of the park, 30 works of art with multiple inspirations, grouped into 10 themed gardens, will represent a wide variety of Disney and Pixar Characters. Also to be discovered is Disney Village with its restaurants, shops... as well as the Walt Disney Studios Park. Something to dream about for young and old alike.

Disneyland Paris, Boulevard de Par, 77700 Coupvray / Tel: (+33) 825 30 05 00

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Venture into the heart of the most famous of villages and experience the joys of Gaulish life... Welcome to Parc Asterix, dedicated to the world of comics, it is the third most visited theme park in France. Its universe combines humour, conviviality, sharing and authenticity. Enter the Roman Empire, dive into mythology in Ancient Greece. The park of Gallic irreducibles has just renovated the most emblematic of its attractions, Zeus' Thunder. The attraction won the Ultimate European Theme Parks Award in the "Best Wooden Roller Coaster in Europe" category for four consecutive years, from 2002 to 2005. Tonnerre 2 Zeus has even more thrills with two last cars reversed, so you can experience the attraction in reverse... Finally, for 2023, Parc Asterix has announced a new attraction, a new ride unique in the world called Toutatis. In an area of 2.5 hectares, a roller coaster will run at 110km/hour, a record in France in terms of speed, but also in terms of launches. Toutatis also promises to break the world record for "air-times", i.e. a total of 23 moments when the speed will lift the passengers out of their seats!

Parc Astérix, 60128 Plailly / Tel : (+33) 9 86 86 86 87

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Parc Astérix - Thunder 2 Zeus

Nigloland is first and foremost an exceptional and unique setting, consisting of 45 hectares in the heart of the Orient forest, it evolves in the centre of an incredible natural basin. The park allows picnics and promotes the reception of camping-cars on its site. An amusement park suitable for young children, it will celebrate its 35th anniversary this year with a few surprises, in particular the renovation of the hot-air balloons, the Hedgehogs of the Magic Forest and the Nigloshow. In 2021 Nigloland reached a milestone with a unique attraction in France, Krampus Expedition, an aquatic rollercoaster. It is the park's largest attraction, covering 9,000 m², with 600 metres of course and a maximum height of 28 metres. Climb aboard 8-seater rafts, hurtle down the mountain slopes at high speed, and dive into a cave after a dizzying fall.

Nigloland, 27 Rue de la Vall. du Landion, 10200 Dolancourt / Tel: (+33) 3 25 27 94 52

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Nestled in the heart of nature, the Saint Paul Park welcomes the whole family for a day of relaxation and fun. Come and discover the 43 attractions as well as the two shows. New for 2022, the visually spectacular Nebulaz is an aerial ride with arms that spin in the sky, the hypnotic and enigmatic movement is absolutely captivating. The original Rétrocyclos carousel will transport visitors to a past full of sensations! The Parc Saint Paul also has five restaurants, including an all-you-can-eat buffet open every day, and sheltered picnic areas.

Parc Saint Paul, 47 Rue de l'Avelon, 60650 Saint-Paul / Tel: (+33) 3 44 82 20 16

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The Little Prince Park is a theme park inspired by the work of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Spread over more than 24 hectares, it is considered to be the world's first aerial park. A visit to the Little Prince park is a total escape into a fairytale world full of sensation and emotion. Through a wide range of unusual activities, the park invites young and old alike to have fun and get fit, while discovering the fantastic world of the Little Prince. This year, come and rediscover the story of the Little Prince through new and original shows, in which you yourself will be the heroes! The park is as much fun as it is educational, with an animal zone also waiting for you.

Le Parc du Petit Prince, Rue de l'Espoir, 68190 Ungersheim / Tel: (+33) 3 89 62 43 00

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© Le petit Prince

Built on a former marble sawmill, the Dennlys Parc is located on 8 hectares in a green setting. It is the ideal place to meet with family or friends. In this green place, crossed by the river Lys, you will be welcomed by the mascot Denno the tortoise, to the sound of the mechanical organ. The variety of attractions as well as animations and shows, will allow everyone to find something to satisfy their desires. From the exhibition of miniature rides to the museum of instruments and practices of yesteryear, not forgetting the various artistic workshops, numerous activities that are both amusing and educational await young and old.

Dennlys Parc, 11 Rue du Moulin de la Tour, 62560 Dennebroeucq / Tel: (+33) 3 21 95 11 39

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Take the time machine and conquer history

The second largest theme park in France, voted best theme park in the world, Le Puy du Fou takes you back through the centuries with its grandiose shows and unusual hotels. Every day, numerous activities and dozens of timeless shows are offered in the heart of a hundred-year-old forest of 55 hectares. This year, the park celebrates its 35th anniversary and presents two major events and enriches one of its mythical shows. A new impressive staging for Le Signe du Triomphe! In a stunning finale, the Gallo-Roman Stadium becomes the scene of an incredible naumachy, a stunning naval battle. Since 2007, Le Puy du Fou has been developing a hotel complex that includes six hotels, each offering an immersion in a different era.

Le Puy du Fou, 85590 Les Epesses / Tel: (+33) 820 09 10 10

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Le Puy du Fou - The Sign of Triumph© Stéphane Audran

 

La Mer de Sable is a family park par excellence, located in an exceptional setting, on a 45 hectare sandy terrain. This park transports you to other times and places to experience incredible adventures. It is the oldest theme park in operation in France. From Mexico to the Wild West via the jungle, sensations, emotions, explorations and encounters await visitors. Stunts, equestrian acrobatics, special effects and comedy are the ingredients of the Mer de Sable shows that transport visitors to the time of the Conquest of the West.

La Mer de Sable, B330, 60950 Ermenonville / Tel: (+33) 3 44 54 00 96

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The 3 Nations Tournament© La Mer de Sable

Already voted the best French family park, Fraispertuis City is a dream destination for spending quality time with your family. The park offers a wide range of attractive Wild West activities for all members of the family. The very American Fraispertuis City offers several thrill rides, enabling it to entertain not only children but also parents. This year a new ride, Les Draisines, with steam power that allows you to take off at up to 90° sideways inclination, is offered. This attraction is unique in France and will share the world premiere with a similar model planned in the largest park in Sweden.

Fraispertuis City, 50 rue de la Colline des Eaux, 88700 Jeanménil Tel: (+33) 3 29 65 27 06

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The Draisines© Fraispertuis City

In a 47-hectare wooded setting, the Walygator Grand Est amusement park allows you to discover several imaginary worlds staged for the pleasure of children. The site offers a wide range of attractions for all ages. Thrill-seekers will be spoilt for choice and will be able to try out Europe's largest inverted coaster: The Monster. This summer Walygator will inaugurate the park's new universe: Western Days, a world that will plunge into the Far-West and the world of cowboys.

Walygator Grand Est, Voie Romaine, 57280 Maizières-lès-Metz

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Take a tour of France in one day and have fun on the attractions of France Miniature! It is the largest miniature park in Europe, on a huge 5-hectare map of France, 177 of the most beautiful monuments (the Eiffel Tower, Mont Saint-Michel, the Arenas of Arles...) and sites of our territory are represented and 130 landscapes reconstituted (villages, castles, ports...). In addition, interactive experiences are available along the way, including an archaeological excavation site, a prehistoric cave and the Fort Boyard. Other attractions await you to discover the regions of France, with your head in the air or upside down!

France Miniature, Boulevard André Malraux, 78990 Elancourt / Tel: (+33) 1 30 16 16 30

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Get your brains working, science opens its doors to you:

A technological, scientific, futuristic and fun theme park, it is one of the most popular French leisure parks. Its attractions combine sensory approaches and image and sound projections often inspired by the world of cinema and digital technology. By 2025, Futuroscope's entertainment offer will be completed with the design of three major attractions. The first will open in spring 2022: Tornado Hunters, which "will allow you to find yourself at the heart of a force 4 or 5 cyclone". In 2024, an "indoor and outdoor water course" called Mission Bermuda will open, combining dark rides, falls and accelerations. Finally, in 2025, the park will introduce another important new feature: an innovative sensation coaster. Other innovations are to be expected, including 2 themed hotels, the first of which, Station Cosmos, will open in spring 2022 and will have a looping restaurant.

Futuroscope, Avenue René Monory, 86360 Chasseneuil-du-Poitou / Tel: (+33) 820 09 10 10

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Aérobar© Futuroscope

Terra Botanica is the first European theme park dedicated to plants, unique in Europe. Magnificent gardens and attractions punctuate a visit that combines fun and educational discovery. You can admire the largest bamboo structure in Europe installed at the entrance of the site. New this year, the park is offering a night visit with sounds and lights and the chance to experience the plant odyssey in a magical and poetic night-time tour. In addition, each month, a new animal, real or imaginary, will make its appearance, an 8-metre dragon, a 6-metre unicorn or the famous Scottish Nessie, will emerge from the depths of the lake.

Terra Botanica, Route d'Épinard, 49000 Angers / Tel: (+33) 2 41 25 00 00

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Terra Botanica© Mehdi - Media

Unique in Europe, Vulcania, a place of leisure as much as learning, is an amusement park that allows everyone to better understand how volcanoes, natural phenomena and the solar system work. Share experiences that are as fun as they are spectacular. The Vulcania exploration park is adapted for people with disabilities. From July onwards, Vulcania's anniversary nights will set the park alight with 12 exceptional evenings, ending with a Dragon Time fireworks show. In addition to the new activities, visitors will benefit from new outdoor areas. In 2023, the park plans to create the largest planetarium in France, with a gigantic screen 23 metres in diameter.

Vulcania, Route de Mazayes, 63230 Saint-Ours / Tel: (+33) 4 73 19 70 00

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Attractions and animals, what a program!

The Marineland park or Marineland d'Antibes is the largest marine theme park in Europe. It takes you to meet more than 3,000 different species. It is one of the two parks in Europe that features orcas. Discover a magical world full of incredible animals; Marineland is a park full of aquatic treasures, with attractions, shows and sites to visit to marvel at a world that is rarely so accessible. The park invites you to spend a morning with the keepers to experience exceptional moments! The Marineland area also includes the Aquasplash, the Kid's Island, and the Adventure Golf.

Marineland, 306 Avenue Mozart, 06600 Antibes / Tel: (+33) 4 93 33 49 49

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Marineland© Jemny

The PAL remains a unique amusement park and one of the most visited in France, where several regions of the world cohabit: African bush, western plains and Louisiana swamp. It is the only park in France to combine attractions for young and old, animals in semi-liberty and atypical accommodation, on 50 hectares of nature. The 2022 season will be an opportunity for children to discover "La Rivière du Lion". A huge adventure playground (a 7-metre high lion awaits the bravest) with suspension bridges, hammocks, nets and slides, but also with an aquatic part and water jets. It will also be marked by the launch of a seal encounter activity and the arrival of a young red panda for the animal park.

Le PAL, Saint-Pourçain-sur-Besbre, 03290 Dompierre-sur-Besbre / Tel: (+33) 4 70 42 68 10

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© Le Pal

In a pleasant wooded area, discover the Walibi Rhône-Alpes park for young and old who love thrills. This year the park is preparing its next thematic zone entitled Exotic Island: "A hymn to Polynesia where lush vegetation and noble materials will totally disorientate visitors. But that's not all, as you will be able to discover the brand new show: The Power of Gaia, a thrilling adventure where stunts, special effects and surprises follow one another at a frenetic pace! The park has a small farm and relaxation areas, ideal for relaxing. Walibi also offers exotic shows, such as "Les plongeurs de l'extrême". There is also a 3D cinema which takes the little spectators on a unique adventure, with music.

Walibi Rhône-Alpes, 1380 Route de la Corneille, 38630 Les Avenières Veyrins-Thuellin / Tel: (+33) 820 426 436

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WRA - Dock'N roll-Hurricane© Benoit Gillardeau

The Bagatelle park is the oldest French amusement park in operation. Located on the seafront, the park has numerous water attractions among other rides spread over 4 themed areas. Between attractions for the little ones, attractions to share with the family or even thrilling attractions, an array of rides and shows await you. In addition, you will find within the children's area of the park, the Little Friends Farm where you can meet rabbits, donkeys, ponies and goats inside their enclosure.

Bagatelle, RD940, 62155 Merlimont / Tel: (+33) 3 21 89 06 38

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