Having visited Disneyland Paris a couple of times already we decided to visit Parc Asterix during our day in Paris at the end of our summer 2000 holiday. Parc Asterix is the main theme park that most of the French enjoy visiting and I must say we had a really good day there too.

We were there at the start of September and high season had just finished so there were fewer people there than normal for the time of year. This meant that the queues for rides were not as long as high summer and some rides only had about a 10 minute wait - the most time we waited was 30 minutes (akthough later in the day when the weather brightened up the crowds swelled and some queues got quite long so we didn't bother queueing up for them - but by then we had got the majority of the big rides completed.
There is plenty to keep the whole family occupied - ranging from gentle kids rides to roller coasters for the brave adults!!! The park is well themed with several distinct sections - one day is not really enough to visit all the attractions.

Brief details of the main attractions follow:

• GOUDERIX - an amazing rollercoaster that has 7, yes SEVEN loops in it, including a butterfly loop, boomerang loop and a double screwdriver loop - the entire ride takes place at great speed over a lake! Visit the official site via the link above for more details.This ride has been classed by some enthusiasts as being the roughest rollercoaster on Earth - with reports of heads being thrown about and banged against the headrests making it uncomfortable and painful!!!!Armed with this information I had to try it for myself to see if it is true. I must say I found it amazing to look at and ride, and although it did give me a bit of battering I was quite impressed with the ride - yelling all the way round - although I have ridden other coasters that give more of a thrilling ride! Some other people were also holding their necks and heads afterwards but I think if you adhere to the notices and "keep your head back against the headrest" you should be fine. It's entirely up to you if you want to ride it or not though!!!! Use this WWW link to read one person's comments and make up your own mind

• TONNERRE DE ZEUS - this wooden rollercoaster is rated 2nd in the world and once you ride it you will agree with that rating!!! It is 30 metres high and 1.2km long with breathtaking climbs and dives into tunnels etc. The ride actually lasts 2 MINUTES making it one of the longest rides on a rollercoaster. Maximum speed reached is 80km/h !!!! The sensations you get and the noises you hear when riding it make this beast a must!!!! RIDE IT!!!!

• MENHIR EXPRESS - one of the best log flume type of rides ever - it culminates in a 13 metre slide and you get absolutely soaked with water -this was the last rides we went on and it was a great way to end the day. Fantastic!

• STYX - Giant rubber rings floating through rapids - you can get a bit wet on this too!

• OXYGENARIUM - Another watery rubber ring ride which takes you on a dizzy and swirling 190 metre water slide.

• THE GRAND SPLATCH - Another water ride with a bit of a wet ending!

Plus lots, lots more - including shows involving birds of prey (amazing to see); plus dolphins (lovely creatures - you can view them swimming underwater through glass - terrific sight!) 

A photo gallery of Parc Asterix can be found HERE.

Do use the WWW link at the top of this page to visit the official website and read all about Parc Asterix.

PHOTOS WE TOOK AT PARC ASTERIX
Select a photo group to few full size photos

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