Imagine being invited to spend two glorious nights at Parc Asterix, a theme park that easily tops our list of favorites. I’m bursting with excitement to share all the amazing details with you.
Let’s kick off by delving into our journey there. As per my usual travel routine, we hopped on a National Express coach to reach the airport. This time, our flights were scheduled to depart from Luton, and the coach ride from London Victoria took us approximately one hour.
Our journey to Parc Asterix kicked off with a seamless flight aboard easyJet. It was a remarkably quick flight, and I once again relied on Skyscanner to book my tickets. I didn’t manage to a great deal this time, paying just over £200 for the flights. Within an hour, we touched down at Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport, filled with anticipation for the adventures ahead.
To our delight, we discovered a dedicated passport control queue for families with children under 12, which sped up the process significantly. We were out in a flash, ready to embark on our Parc Asterix adventure. With the assistance of a kind lady at the information desk, I swiftly located the Parc Asterix shuttle bus ticket office.
Now, let’s talk prices! The shuttle bus tickets are reasonably priced at €10.00 per adult (12 years and above), €9.00 per child (aged 3 to 11 years), and free for little ones under three. If, like me, you are staying at one of the Parc hotels, you can let the customer agent at the ticket office know so that they can extend the validity date of your return shuttle ticket.
The shuttle buses operate every 30 minutes, beginning one hour before the Park opens and running up to one hour after the Park closes. This frequent service ensures you have ample time to arrive at and depart from the Park hassle-free.
If you prefer a quicker but slightly pricier option, you have the convenience of taking a taxi directly from the airport to Parc Asterix. During my research, I explored popular ride-hailing services like Uber, FREEnow, and Bolt, and discovered that the average cost for the journey was around €30. While it may be a bit more expensive, it offers a swift and hassle-free transportation experience.
As we disembarked from the shuttle bus, I noticed another family with suitcases boarding a mini-van that would transport them to their hotel. Curiosity piqued, I approached the driver and inquired about the possibility of joining them. To my delight, the driver welcomed us aboard. After a short drive, we arrived at our destination – La Cité Suspendue.
Check-in at La Cité Suspendue was a breeze. The staff members were fluent in multiple languages, which was a relief since my French skills are limited. I paid a city tax of €3, equivalent to around £2.57, and then we were able to leave our luggage in a designated storage room behind the reception. With that taken care of, we were free to begin our exploration of the theme park. Just a friendly heads-up: access to your room isn’t available until 5 pm.
I was genuinely amazed by the sheer size of Parc Asterix. While I was aware that it is the second-largest theme park in France, surpassed only by Disneyland, experiencing it firsthand left me in awe. To navigate the park efficiently, I downloaded a helpful app equipped with an interactive map. It not only guided me through the park but also provided real-time queue times and pointed out essential locations like restrooms and restaurants.
We embarked on numerous exhilarating rides, it got to a point where I lost count. And yet, there were still more rides left to conquer, making me grateful for our two-day booking. Among them, our absolute favourite was L’Hydre de Lerne. This fab ride lifts you up and spins you around throughout its duration. My words alone cannot fully capture how fun it is, but trust me when I say it’s a must-try.
Our accommodation at La Cité Suspendue was delightful. It featured a main bedroom with a TV and a balcony, a second bedroom with cozy bunk beds, a well-appointed bathroom with a walk-in shower, fresh towels, and a safe for our belongings. The proximity to the main reception, restaurant, and park entrance was convenient, requiring only a short walk. Do keep in mind that there didn’t appear to be any lifts, so if you prefer a ground floor room, it would be wise to request one during the booking process.
As an added bonus, hotel guests are granted 30 minutes of early entry into Parc Asterix, which is a delightful gesture that demonstrates the hotel’s commitment to ensuring families feel welcomed and valued. I was thrilled to discover that the reception offers a complimentary Toniebox, accompanied by 5 Tonies figures, which can be borrowed during your stay. A deposit of 150€ will be required as a guarantee for this service.
To further enhance the experience, each morning, some beloved characters from the Asterix comics pay a friendly visit to the hotel. At La Cité Suspendue Hôtel, you can encounter these delightful characters in the vicinity of the bar area and the outdoor terrace.
Additionally, the hotel provides a range of baby equipment, including baby cots, bottle warmers, and a microwave oven, which is available at the restaurant for your convenience.
We had an enjoyable dinner at the restaurant located in La Cité Suspendue. It offered a buffet-style dining experience with a wide variety of options such as meatballs, pasta, chicken, fish, and more. The dessert selection was also extensive. Since I have a nut allergy, the staff kindly provided me with an allergy booklet, although it was entirely in French. Thankfully, I was able to use the SayHi app to translate unfamiliar words.
On the second day, we began with a fantastic breakfast at La Cité Suspendue. The options were plentiful, including waffles, crepes, a variety of fruits, apple and orange juice, coffee, and much more. Similar to dinner, breakfast was served in a buffet style.
For our second day at Parc Asterix, we focused on experiencing the rides we missed on the first day. We managed to try all the rides that our little miss was tall enough to go on, and we even rode some of them twice. You can find the full list of rides and attractions available here.
I must admit that Tonnerre Deux Zeus (a wooden roller coaster) was too intense for my liking. Although I’m a fan of thrill rides, I felt like my heart was about to leave my body at one point. It’s a ride I won’t be going on again. However, apart from that, we thoroughly enjoyed everything else. There was one particular playground that we found absolutely fantastic, surpassing anything we’ve seen in London. I’ll share some pictures below.
For some rides, we took advantage of Filotomatix, which allows visitors to pay for privileged access to queues or reduced waiting times at eligible attractions. For the rides where we didn’t use this service, the queues were not as bad as I anticipated. Despite the park being busy during our visit, the queues were manageable, and overall, it was a pleasant experience.
Parc Asterix offers a convenient Baby Switch Service for families visiting the park. If your child does not meet the height requirements for certain attractions, you can take turns enjoying the rides without having to queue again. Simply approach the operator of the attraction and inquire about the Baby Switch Service, which is available on all rides throughout the park.
I completely forgot the name of the restaurant where we dined today, but the food was quite decent. I paid €8.90 for a kids’ meal, which included 4 wings, fries, a drink, and a yogurt drink. Little miss was very pleased with her meal.
Towards the end of our visit, we stumbled upon some fountains, which was a delightful surprise. It was an exceptionally hot day, and cooling down in the fountains was perfect. Here’s a tip: consider bringing a spare change of clothes or a poncho for water rides.
Ticket prices start at €46. Your entrance ticket to Parc Asterix grants access to all the shows and attractions throughout the day. Children under 3 years old enter for free. The adult prices apply to individuals aged 12 and above. It’s worthwhile to sign up for their newsletter to receive future discounts. You may also want to explore the “Go City: Paris All-Inclusive Pass.”
I would say that Parc Asterix offers something for the whole family. However, as I always recommend before visiting a theme park, it’s essential to measure your children’s height and check the website or app to determine which rides are suitable for them. Remember that ride restrictions are based on height, not age.
We had a delightful time at Parc Asterix, and I can confidently say it has become one of my favorite theme parks. We’re already looking forward to coming back next year.
