Parc Asterix

About Parc Asterix

Parc Asterix is a theme park about 30 kilometers north of Paris, near Plailly, built around the world of the French comic books by Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. Instead of fairy-tale castles, the theming leans into Gaulish villages, Roman camps, and the running joke of a small village holding out against the Roman Empire. The park opened in 1989 and has grown into one of France's most visited attractions, with a mix of roller coasters, water rides, and shows spread across several themed areas covering different eras and places, from ancient Greece and Egypt to a stretch of streets styled after old Paris.

The park is best known for its roller coasters, which tend to be more intense than what you find at the better-known parks near Paris. Tonnerre 2 Zeus, Goudurix, and the wooden-then-steel thrill rides pull in coaster fans specifically, and OzIris, a looping ride themed around ancient Egypt, is another regular highlight. Alongside the big coasters there are gentler family rides, a dolphin and sea lion show, and plenty of water attractions that are worth planning around if you are visiting on a hot day. Most of the signage and shows are in French, though the rides themselves need no translation.

Parc Asterix is a seasonal park, usually open from spring into early autumn plus some winter and Halloween dates, so it is worth checking the current calendar before you plan a trip. It sits close to Charles de Gaulle airport, and a shuttle bus runs from central Paris in season, which is the easiest option if you are not driving. Lines for the top coasters build up fast in summer and during school holidays, so arriving at opening and heading to the most popular rides first makes a real difference. A full day is enough to cover most of the park at a reasonable pace.