Parc Astérix

Parc Astérix is a theme amusement park in France, based on the stories of Asterix (by Albert Uderzo and René Goscinny). Situated approximately 35 km (22 miles) north of Paris and 32km (20 miles) from Disneyland Resort Paris, in Plailly in the "département" of Oise, it opened in 1989. The park is operated by Compagnie des Alpes.

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.

Competition

The park management initially feared a loss of business to Disneyland Resort Paris prior to the opening of the latter, but the popularity of both has in fact increased as a result, exhibiting a synergistic effect seen in other places with multiple theme parks (most notably central Florida and particularly Orlando, where Disney has its largest presence and numerous other theme parks benefit as a result). When it originally opened it was seldom heard of by most foreigners; today many of its visitors come from around the world.

Directions

Unlike Disneyland Paris, the park used to open only from April to October, and has generally shorter opening hours. However, it is easily visited in a day. Since 2007, the park is also open in winter. It has its own exit on the A1.

The park is accessible from the Ile de France region via the RER B3 line to "Aeroport Charles de Gaulle 1". Tickets can be purchased for the park at this station. From this point visitors will board a coach which commutes between Parc Astérix and the train station.

Attractions

There are many attractions and shows including:

* Tonnerre de Zeus, a wooden roller coaster
* Goudurix, a large steel multi-looping coaster
* Oxygénarium, a large, twisting water slide with round dinghies
* Transdémonium, a haunted mansion filled with special effects
* la Trace du Hourra, a 900m bobsled, with cars that reach 80 km/h
* la Galère, a swinging ship
* Menhir express, a log flume ride with a 13m final drop
* Grand splatch, a rapid river ride

External links

* [http://www.parcasterix.fr Parc Astérix official website] (requires Macromedia Flash, in french only.
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/download.php%3FNumber%3D794117&om=1&ie=UTF8&z=15&t=k Satellite image of Parc Astérix with ride locations] from Google Maps
* [http://www.tripfilms.com/Travel_Video-v65019-Paris-Parc_Asterix_Goudurix_Roller_Coaster-Video.html / Parc Asterix Video]
* [http://www.attractionland.com/en/parc-asterix/ Attractionland: Parc Astérix]
* [http://www.fansdupa.org/ FansduPA.org (French): Fan site with pictures, videos, virtual tour of the park ... ]