Parc Astérix is another very popular theme amusement park in France apart from Disneyland, based on the stories of Asterix.
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.
**One very important thing to note when you are planning your visit is to check here for their opening days, as Parc Asterix does not open throughout the year. They close during some months.
PURCHASING THE ENTRANCE TICKETS:
I got our tickets via their main website: http://www.parcasterix.fr/. Bear in mind that you have to book your tickets 5 working days in advance of your planned visit. Go slow, as there can be a few hiccups on this website.
Sometimes, there are discounts available too, with overnight stays in their on-site hotels, but they are only available to people who have French addresses.
La Légion Recrute, an indoor circus.
HOW TO GET THERE:
VIA CAR: The park is 30km north of Paris. Take highway A1, direction Lille. The direct exit for Parc Asterix is between exits #7 and #8.
Parking fee: 8€
VIA RER:
Take the RER B3 at Paris Gare du Nord, platform N°43 and get off at the stop “Charles De Gaulle airport Terminal 1, Terminal 3.” Proceed to the ticket window « Parcs de Loisirs ». The agents will direct you to ASTERIX shuttle buses that leave every 30 minutes, beginning from 9h to 19h.
Fee:
Children (3 -11 years) round trip: 5,20€
Adults (12 and up) round trip: 6.90€
Parking fee: 8€
VIA RER:
Take the RER B3 at Paris Gare du Nord, platform N°43 and get off at the stop “Charles De Gaulle airport Terminal 1, Terminal 3.” Proceed to the ticket window « Parcs de Loisirs ». The agents will direct you to ASTERIX shuttle buses that leave every 30 minutes, beginning from 9h to 19h.
Fee:
Children (3 -11 years) round trip: 5,20€
Adults (12 and up) round trip: 6.90€
One of my favorite buildings there.
What I presumed the most wicked roller coaster ride in the whole park. 4 loops in total followed by what W told me (everyone in our group went for it except weak-hearted me) the worst part was towards the end where it went into a spiral turn, not the loops.
I like this ride. It is such a pity I only get to take these rides when we are queueing up, watching others. I was really scared at first when it got real high to an almost 90degrees perpendicular to the ground (the girl sitting right in front of me was crying throughout and she is definitely an adult!). I felt the freefall effect. Alas, when I truly let go and wanna enjoy, lifting both my hands up and yelling like others, it was the end.
Lunch was made quick as the park closes at 19H. Also, Parc Astérix is only open for a few months every year. We just make do with XL hotdog sausage sandwiches and spend most of the time queueing up. The longest one today was reported to be 2 hours which we gave up the idea of doing it altogether. Next time perhaps.
I was impressed when they actually have artisans all dressed up and demostrating live on some of the oldest trades in the world.
Souvenir shops.
We got an alphabet mug (wanted to get "W", but their A-Z have most alphabets but "W"), 2 key chains & 2 postcards as souvenirs.
Les Chaises Volantes.
It was wonderful getting the top-down view though it can get you pretty dizzy after that!
This is a great place if you like adventure rides because they are indeed better than Disneyland's. However, all of us agree that Parc Asterix lacks the "Asterixity" factor. Disneyland incorporates their theme very well, you can see all the related characters popping up in almost every corner of the park, spicing things up with musicals and parades; Parc Astérix, on the other hand, failed to get the story and characters blended into their theme park. I will still go back another time to finish up those rides that I didn't get a chance to get on, however, I don't think I'll make a re-visit after that. Unlike Disneyland, where they will change their theme according to seasons which will still entice me to go again and again.
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