The complete guide to Parc Astérix in France

During May half term we visited Parc Astérix in France. Asterix Parc makes excellent day trip for kids from Paris. As it is only located around 22 miles north of central Paris. The theme park is themed around Asterix and the various characters that appear in the stories. Spread over seven different worlds the detail that goes into each one is incredible. Not to mention the Parc Asterix rides. It makes a great alternative to Disneyland Paris.

When we visited the boys were aged nine and six. Charlie was unrestricted on height being 145cm he could go on all the Parc Asterix rides. Harry was 120cm which meant he could go on everything his nerves could stand. And some they couldn’t! Charlie in particular is an adrenaline junkie and loves a rollercoaster. If you are the same then Parc Astérix is most definitely for you. However, I was impressed with the amount of thought that has gone into rides for younger children as well. 

AD – We were gifted a stay at Les Quais de Lutece and theme park tickets, in return for this review. All words and opinions are my own.

Where is Parc Astérix

As mentioned Parc Asterix is located in Plailly in the Hauts de France, which is 22 miles north of Paris and takes around 40 minutes by car. It takes about two and half hours to drive to Eurotunnel Calais if you use the toll roads. It is possible to reach it without the toll roads although this will add significant time to your journey. Due to its close proximity to Paris, it makes an ideal day trip when visiting Paris. Or as we did extend your city break by staying over at the Asterix Theme Park in France. 

What is Parc Astérix

Parc Asterix The theme park is made up of seven different worlds. Each of which has been expertly themed. They are based around the different locations that appear in the Asterix comic books. The rough storyline is that in 50 B.C. France was invaded by the Romans. With the whole of the county now subject to Roman occupation. Except for the village where Asterix and the rest of the characters live. Panoramix creates a magic potion which gives the villages super strength temporarily allowing them to fend off the Romans. If you are not familiar with the stories of Asterix or comic series then I would suggest that you head straight to the attraction – Attention Menhir where you can see the story for yourself in a new 4D cinema show. It is great fun but be warned it will make you jump.

Seven themed worlds

The world of Asterix has been divided into seven themed worlds with each having its own unique theming and normally at least one big featured ride in each. Although it sounds a lot the European theme park is very compact making it very easy to navigate the excellent collection of rides. 

Via Antiqua 

This is the main entrance to the park where you will find most of the shops, and some restaurants and also have your photo taken with the characters. As we were staying at the hotel we did not visit this area much. As the hotel entrance is at the back of the park. 

L’Empire Romain

This is the Roman Empire. The large Roman Theatre is located here where you can see one of the spectacle shows. There is also another Roman show that takes place outside. We did manage to catch the end of this on one of our days. A number of the smaller rides and family rides are located in ancient Rome. Although you will also see a large mountain with Asterix on top and running underneath him the Grand Splash!

La Grèce Antique

The ancient greeks world is probably my favourite and where we spent a lot of our time. On the basis, it has a number of the bigger rides including our family’s favourite Pegase Express rollercoaster that we went on several times during our visit. As well as the new wooden rollercoaster Tonnerre 2 Zeus. Which has a 30m drop!

Les Vikings

The land of the Vikings also had a number of smaller rides, as well as Charlie’s favourite rollercoaster – Goudurix. This is the land which is closest to the hotels and also where we entered the park. Harry really enjoyed the play area when Charlie was riding the biggest coaster and making sure you do not miss a drink in the bar which is 35m in the sky. 

À travers le temps

This is France from the middle ages where you travel back in time to the beautiful scenery that looks like it is from a film set. The boys really enjoyed walking through the shopping areas. Although we were not too keen on the animatronic dolls. 

Bienvenue chez les gaulois 

Which is The Galati village and the Itephix Forest, a chance to meet your favourite characters set up in their natural surroundings. The island is surrounded by water.

L’Égypte 

Probably my favourite in style ancient Egypt has a very impressive pyramid and obelisk as well as being home to the absolutely terrifying Oziris which disappears underground!

Parc Asterix Rides

There are 42 different Parc Asterix rides and attractions across the theme park with a large variety of roller coasters. These are divided into three different categories, thrill rides, family rides suitable for the whole family, and those for the young kids. Each world has a mix to ensure there is something for everyone. Parc Asterix rides all have their own height restrictions, with minimum height for each ride, found on the park map or in the app. Harry is 120cm in our opinion this is the ideal height. He can go on everything other than a couple of the large rollercoasters which he would not want to do anyway. Over our two days, we went on a number of different rides these were our favourite ones.

• Attention Menhir – a 4D cinema experience which tells the story of Asterix and his village’s fight against the Romans. One of the newer attractions expect to be immersed. 
• Pégase Express – this steel coaster was our family favourite, it is a long coaster that you go both forward and backwards on. With a surprise halfway round. With lots of turns, it is an easy ride. 
• Le Defi de Cesar – we do love a rolling house, only this time it is a boat as you enrol to become a trust Roman fighter.
• Menhir Express – a traditional log flume it does have a very big drop at the end. Expect to get completely soaked.
• Le Grand Splatch – another very ‘wet’ water ride. Where you take a boat up Asterix’s mountain before coming crashing down again. It is not called the big splash for no reason. 
• Oxygnerium – is one of my favourites. You are essentially in a giant rubber ring which is then let down a water slide. The heavier the cargo the more you spin around. Great fun. Go early in the day to avoid getting wet feet. 

And others..

• Le Vol d’icare – a smaller older, a rollercoaster with individual cars, there is a fair amount of brain shaking that goes on, on this ride. 
• Romus et Rapidus – a classic rapid ride where someone in your party is bound to get wet. It is pot luck where you sit to whether it is you or not. 
• Discobelix – a rolling ride where you are spun 360 degrees while going back and forth over a hill. The question is will you reach the fire?
• Tonnerre de Zeus – a new wooden roller coaster which has a 30m drop. You go thundering down the tracks and when you think you have just about had all you can take there is another drop and another bend. It is even possible to sit on the back two seats so that you can do the ride completely backwards. Although be warned this is not for the faint hearted. 
• Oziris – A mega inverted coaster that has a 360-degree loop and that goes rushing under the ground before being sent spinning into the distance. Unlike the other rides here you hang underneath the rollercoaster. Charlie was a little nervous at first but this ride became a firm favourite. 
• La trace du Hourra – I have never been on a rollercoaster without rails before. But Le trace du Hourra is exactly that. You are propelled round in individual cars while inside a metal which can only be described as a metal marble run. Really unique. 
• Goudurix – Another long roller coaster with lots of loops and drops. It looks impressive located over a lake with it reflected in the water. Definitely one for the adrenaline junkies. 

We found that the length of rides is very good in Parc Asterix when compared to other theme parks we have visited. 

Parc Astérix Shows

We managed to see two of the Spectacle shows during our visit and they were very good. I would definitely make time in your itinerary to do this if you can. As well as the spectacle shows, there are other show opportunities throughout the day. They are all presented in French but this did not make a difference for the shows we chose. It is also possible to meet your favourite characters at various points throughout the park. The app will show you where and when they are available. 

The spectacle shows are available three times a day and last around 25 minutes

• Chronos: Magie et illusions – this is an illusion show held at the main theatre. We really enjoyed this even if some of the tricks we have seen before. The theatre is inside and the show takes place in dipped lighting with some loud noises.
• Main Basse Sur La Joconde – this is the first show we saw and I can highly recommend it. If you can only see one then make sure it is this one. With slapstick comedy and trapeze artists, it is highly entertaining, not to mention the use of bikes and cars on stage. It is located in a giant warehouse which looks like a film set. 
• Gaulois – Rimains: le match – We did not see this but we wanted to! Located in the Roman Theatre

Non-spectacle shows are those which do not take place in one of the theatres. Instead, they are performed amongst the rides and in the themed areas. The app will give you the location and time of these throughout the day.

The Parc Asterix Paris App

Like many theme parks, Parc Astérix has its own app. I would recommend downloading this before you go. We found it invaluable during our visit. There is an interactive map which gives you all the rides and waiting times. With the option to filter the rides by height and category, it is easy to see if you have visited everything you can. 

It also has a locate button so you can find out exactly where you are and the option to route yourself to a particular ride or attraction. If you want to get very prepared then you can set up an account and then add the rides you want to visit. Allowing you to formulate a plan of what to visit and when. If you don’t know where to start then there are some suggested itineraries under ‘home’. 

The app also lists all the restaurants and allows you to download menus, or even create a click and collect orders. As well as making a booking for one of the twelve restaurants that you can book. It also gives details of all of the shows and when they are next on. 

Parc Asterix tickets & pricing

You can buy your entrance ticket online in advance, the electronic ticket then means that you do not have to pick up park tickets from the entry kiosks. There are various deals on tickets so it is worth checking the website. Especially if you are looking to travel during the school term and during the week as you can buy a single day ticket for as little as 37€. Although for a standard flexible ticket brought 7 days in advance the price is 47€ for adults and 43€ for children aged 3 to 11 years. You can also get discounts if you buy multiple tickets. 

If you want to stay overnight then prices are dependent on which hotel you choose and the number of days in the park you would like. 

Park opening times are dependent on the time of year. You can find out more on the website here [link]- when we visited in May the park was open from 10 am and the park closes at 7 pm. During August it is open until 10 pm. The park is closed during the week out of season. 

Filomatrix

A Filomatrix pass allows you to effectively queue jump or reduce the wait time for rides. There are five different options available varying from a single ride all the way through to an unlimited access pass which allows numerous rides. They are only valid on ten of the forty-two rides at the park. With prices from 6€ to 95€. When we visited we had a gold Filomatrix and it did make a big difference to the number of rides we managed with the boys. I wrote about our experience of using them you can read more below:

READ MORE – A guide to Filomatrix at Parc Asterix 

Food options in Parc Astérix

There are so many different options for food within Parc Asterix. Ranging from formal restaurants to snack bars. There is something for everyone and considering the fact you are on a theme park, I found the prices to be very reasonable. Except for the bar L’Aerolaf where the cocktails were expensive. But then you are paying for the ability to be able to drink 35 metres up in the air.

We ate at the hotel in the evening but while we were in the park we also had hot dogs. We could buy a hot dog meal for 10.70€ which included a hot dog with sauce, crisps and a soft drink. The hot dogs were nice and in baguettes rather than sweet rolls. There were also various sandwich shops selling a wide choice of filled baguettes, and a Frites bar that was extremely popular. Pizza and pasta, burgers, salads. From fast food to self-service to table service. Many also have kids’ meal options. As the boys wanted to enjoy as much time on the rides as possible we didn’t try out any of the sit-down restaurants. Although I did like the look of Le Restaurant du Lac and I think we would try this if we returned. 

L’Aerolaf 

We did this at the end of our first day. Located in the Viking zone, we ordered drinks before ascending to 35 metres about the park. Once it has reached 35 metres the van helmet slowly rotates which means we can see the whole of the park up high. Drink prices vary and start at 7.40€ for those without alcohol and go up to 11.90€ for champagne. It was a unique experience and a great end to our day.

Top Tips for your Visit

• Bracelets – when you arrive you can get your child measured and then they receive a bracelet that has their height on it. This saves being measured at every ride. We did this for Harry as he is only just 120cm. 
• Big rides first – the big Parc Asterix rides can get long queues, when you arrive I would head to a couple of these first as late in the day queues were very long. I would also consider buying individual Filomatirx (unity) passes for some of the key rides. Especially if you are short on time or are only planning on visiting for one day.
• Take snacks and drinks with you. Although the food id very good quality we found queues to be long at lunchtime. 
• Have a plan. Parc Asterix itself is quite compact but you do need a plan on what you would like to see and do while there. As there is so much it can feel a little overwhelming when you first arrive. Use the app to do this or consider one of their pre-done itineraries.
• I think that really with kids you need two days to do everything. I would recommend staying on site in one of the three hotels and using the extra half an hour your get in the park first thing in the morning to go on a couple of the bigger rides. It doesn’t shut until 7 pm so you can also ride later safe in the knowledge there is no long journey after. 

And more…

• Take a poncho. There are a number of water rides at Parc Asterix and they don’t play at getting wet. You will get drenched. Especially on the log flume and the Grand Splash. So if you have ponchos then I would suggest taking them.
• Download the app. It helps with ride times, locations, restaurants and shows. We used it a lot during our visit and it is easy to navigate.
• Parc Astérix offers a baby switch, which means you can queue up altogether and then one adult goes on the ride while the other waits with the baby/child and then you can swap over. 
• Pick up a paper map. The paper map is useful to quickly see which rides are located where and the height limits on them. Although this information is available on the app it is quicker and easier to see on the paper map.

 

 

Hotel options at Parc Astérix

There are three different hotels at Asterix park. Regardless of the one your choose each comes with free parking and has a separate sleeping area for the kids from the parent’s room. All come with a restaurant and bar and a buffet breakfast and animals are not allowed. Prices with Parc tickets start from 85.75€ per person.

• Hotel Les Trois Hiboux – a three-star hotel offering family rooms up to 6. Each comes with a terrace or balcony and is ideal for younger children. With large outdoor spaces and a games room. Prices with Parc tickets start from 85.75€ per person.
• Les Quais de Lutece Hotel – a four-star hotel and the newest offering family rooms up to 5. The rooms are air conditioned, it looks like a movie set perfectly themed around Roman France on the banks of the Seine. You can read about our stay here. Prices with Parc tickets start from 98.25€ per person.
• La Cite Suspende – a three-star hotel offering family rooms up to 5. Each comes with a terrace or balcony. Rooms are air conditioned and are built on stilts. Prices with Parc tickets start from 90.75€ per person.

 

Related Blog Posts

If you have enjoyed this post and are considering visiting this french theme park and trying out the Parc Asterix rides then these may also be entered

• Les Quais de Lutece – Park Asterix

• A guide to Filomatrix at Parc Asterix 

• Asterix Parc v Disneyland Paris

 

We really enjoyed our time at the Asterix park, with so much to do for the entire family with fund attractions. We had really good fun at the largest theme park in France.

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