Parc Astérix

Part four in a series of posts on our trip to Paris. Took even more pics than usual as we were visiting friends. And, we were in Paris. And we were having fun. Previous posts: part one, part two, part three. This one's far less esoteric.

In considering all of Paris's sites and activities for our visit, there was one place Karl and I really didn't want to go: EuroDisney. I'm sure it's fun. And we knew the kids probably would have loved it. But Karl and I couldn't swallow the idea of spending that kind of money and 20 percent of our time in Paris at Disney. And we assumed it wouldn't be an issue – we wouldn't bring it up, so the boys would be none the wiser.

Then we borrowed a friend's copy of Toy Story 3.

“Mom! Dad! Guess what?! There's a Disneyland in Paris!!!”

This DVD (released in Europe) was happy to enlighten Ben and Garrett on the hectares and hectares of fun that awaited them at Mickey's Euro-theme park.

Karl and I were resolute in our desire not to go to Disney, but it was disheartening to think that we were going to spend a long weekend in Paris and the boys would come home disappointed. So we compromised.


Thinking back on some of Chantal's pictures I'd seen on Facebook, I remembered that their family had gone to Parc Astérix, a theme park based on the comic series about Asterix and Obelix and their little Gaulish village that confounds the Roman Empire. Parc Astérix was much more palatable to us because:

1. We love these books. Karl grew up reading them. And as a young adult he started a habit of picking up an Asterix book whenever he traveled, using it alongside a local dictionary to help him learn the language. Currently Karl and the boys are making their way through a Czech compilation of Asterix books from the Prague library. The boys also have a growing collection in English.
2. It's French. So it's cultural, right?
3. It's not Disney. (Just didn't want to do Disney. Looks like Frommer's agrees.)

Chad and Chantal confirmed that Parc Astérix was a hoot and a half (maybe even two), and furthermore they intended to join us if we went. So we went.

Best. Compromise. Ever.

"All righty, where do we go first?"

Kiddos and Roman legionnaire

Garrett and Ayanna scale the giant mushroom (which may be a leftover from the theme park's Smurf days).

Spinning hands

"Faster! Faster!"

One of the most delightful things about Parc Asterix was that the basic story of Asterix leant itself very well to a theme park. (Okay, there was an ancient Egypt motif that kind of didn't make any sense, but whatever.) To cut and paste from Wikipedia, “The series follows the exploits of a village of ancient Gauls as they resist Roman occupation. They do so by means of a magic potion, brewed by their druid, which gives the recipient superhuman strength. The protagonist, the titular character, Asterix, along with his friend Obelix have various adventures.”

We rode a sky tram, posing as Romans spying on the Gaulish village.

Off to peek at Asterix!

Garrett and Ayanna soar above the village.

Solange and Ben know to play it cool on the spy ride. Too bad Ben's parents didn't get that memo.

Each Asterix book opens with a map of Gaul at the time of the Roman conquest. A magnifying glass highlights the northwest corner with the following text (this from the English editions):

The year is 50 B.C. Gaul is entirely occupied by the Romans. Well, not entirely … one small village of indomitable Gauls stills holds out against the invaders. And life is not easy for the Roman Legionaries who garrison the fortified camps of Totorum, Aquarium, Laudanum, and Compendium.

Garrett and I spent some time in the Gaulish village while the rest of the party braved some roller coasters.

Relaxing on Asterix's bed

Taking a dip in the vat of magic potion.

Ayanna and Garrett in Obelix's house. (He's the big dude.)

Tethered menhir outside the Menhir Express

Early on the boys eyed the Menhir Express, a log flume which guarantees a soak. This video (not ours) takes you along for a virtual ride. (And the folks filming/riding it are pretty hilarious.) We all met up and took a ride ourselves.

"Garrett and Ben, what did you think of the Menhir Express?"

"Awesommmmme!"

Roman legionnaires were training new recruits at the arena.

An aerial sky show, typical of the Roman period.

More rides.

The line for the haunted house ride -- our longest queue of the whole trip!

Ben and Solange on the alert for spooky surprises as Karl and Chad grapple with the concept of internalizing externalities.

Ayanna and Garrett oversee the druid and his assistant making the magic potion.

"Wanted: 2 Dangerous Gauls"

If only these two would break out of their shells and have a little fun.

WC signs

Senatus Populusque Romanus (The Senate and the People of Rome)

The Italian Asterix translations highlight these initials in saying "Sono pazzi questi romani!" (These Romans are crazy!), one of Obelix's favorite comments.

"Yo!"

Les soeurs (I sure hope I got that right!)

Asterix, Garrett, Ayanna, Ben, Obelix, and Solange

Going to Parc Asterix was a super fun way to wrap up a wonderful trip!

Chad, Chantal, Solange, and Ayanna ~ thank you, thank you, for having us and showing us such a good time! Seeing you guys again, and seeing our kids get on like a house on fire, made us realize

1. how much more fun Munich would have been if you'd been able to get there! and
2. we should not let another six years pass before we get together again.

Au revoir, nos amis!