Descriptions & Links

THEME PARKS

Parc Astérix
For nearly 40 years, Astérix and "his merry band of loud and shaggy Gauls" have entertained French children through comic books. Parc Astérix brings the comic theme to life with rides and other amusements. Highlights include a mock Gallo-Roman village, a dolphin lake, and a giant roller coaster.
Location: 10km (6 mi.) south of Senlis. Admission: 160FF. Hours: April to early Sept., daily 10am-6pm (except certain Fri. & Mon.); early Sept. to mid-Oct., Wed. and weekends 10am-6pm. Phone: 08-36-68-30-10.

Disneyland Paris
Get the FAQ about Monsieur Mickey's Euro-Disneyland theme park, which has achieved success after a slow start.
Location: 20km (13 mi.) southwest of Meaux, 38km (24 mi.) east of Paris. Admission & Hours: Vary according to number of days visited, and season. Please refer to Fodor's 99 France (Gold Guide) for details, or call ahead. Phone: 01-60-30-60-30.

WALKING TRAILS - PROMENADES

Boulevard Richard Lenoir (Paris 11e)
Laid out on the canal Saint-Martin during the reign of Napoleon III, this boulevard has been in renovation since 1993. The existing gardens will be redesigned, extended, and graced with fountains. By the time renovation is completed, the canal Saint-Martin will be connected with the Arsenal.
Métro: Richard Lenoir

Clos Montmartre (Paris 18e)
In Montmartre, take the funicular railway to the foot of Sacré-Coeur Basilica. Discover the place du Tertre, with its village atmosphere and artists, and get a drawing of yourself made. Board Montmartre's little train, from Place Blanche, for a 40 minute journey passing the Bateau Lavoir, the Cabaret du Lapin Agile and the famous Moulin Rouge. Then stroll around the clos Montmartre, an enclosed vineyard planted with 2000 grapevines. In 1993, it produced 10,500 kg of grapes. The wine made from the grapes is auctioned every year!
Métro: Abesses .

Promenade Plantée (Paris 12e)
Completed in 1995, this 4.5 km pedestrian walk follows the old Bastille--Banlieue Est railway tracks and is located on top of an abandoned viaduct! Beginning at the Opéra Bastille, it runs the length of the avenue Daumesnil, passes near the Gare de Lyon, the Reuilly garden and the Porte Dorée, ending at the Bois de Vincennes. Parts of it are open to bicycles and rollerskates/blades. The path runs its unique course through viaducts, embankments, railway tracks and small tunnels, giving remarkable views of the 11th and 12th district's most modern areas. The arches of the avenue Daumesnil viaduct were remodeled into arts & crafts boutiques, art galleries and craftsman workshops.
Métro: Bel-Air, Dugommier  

ZOOS / ANIMAL PARKS

La ferme de Paris
A real farm with animals and fields.
Location: Route du pesage - Bois de Vincennes, 75012 Paris. Admission: Adults, 22 FF. Children under 18, 11 FF. Hours: Open Saturday, Sunday, bank days and school holidays, from 1:30-7pm in summer, and from 1:30-5pm in winter. RER: Joinville-le-Pont. Bus : 112. Phone: 01-43-28-47-63

Ménagerie du jardin des plantes
Location: National History Museum - Jardin des Plantes, 57, rue Cuvier and 3 quai Saint-Bernard - 75005 Paris. Admission: Adults, 30 FF. Children under 16, 20 FF. Métro: Jussieu, Gare d'Austerlitz. Phone: 01-44-05-72-72. Fax: 01-40-79-37-93.

Parc zoologique de Paris
Location: Bois de Vincennes, 53, avenue de Saint-Maurice - 75012 Paris. Admission: Adults, 40 F. Children under 16, 30 F. Free for children under 4 years of age. Métro: St-Mandé de Tourelle, Porte Dorée. Phone: 01-44-75-20-10. Fax: 01-43-43-54-73.

Parc zoologique du Château de Thoiry
A castle, an African safari park, gardens with a giant spider web, animal shows, and a gastronomy museum for grown-ups make this 16th Century château worthy of a day trip. You'll need a car to fully explore the wildlife reserve.
Location: 78770 Thoiry, 40km (25 mi.) southeast of Giverny, 43km (27 mi.) west of Paris. Admission: Château, 30FF; Château, park and game reserve, 100FF. Children under 13, 79 FF. Hours: Summer, weekdays 10am-6pm, weekends 10am-6:30pm; winter, daily 10am-5pm. Phone: 01-34-87-52-25 ; Fax: 01-34-87-54-12 .