parc asterix
You may have heard of  Euro Disney, but also near Paris is another theme park based on a beloved cartoon character: Asterix  (that fellow at right). Asterix stars in a series of comic books (I suppose one could call them "graphic novels") set in Gaul (now France) around the year 50 B.C., shortly after the Romans conquered the entire land...well, almost the entire land. Fortified by a magic potion, brewed by their druid, which gives them superhuman strength, Asterix, his dim-witted friend Obelix, and their fellow residents of a tiny village resist the Roman invaders, with lots of thrilling adventures and humor thrown in. 

Asterix is very popular all over Europe, but is not well-known in America. The stories are very light-hearted, with great illustrations, Saturday morning cartoon-violence (despite all the battles between the Gauls and the Romans, no one ever dies, just gets knocked out), and lots and lots of puns and witticisms. Adults can get just as much fun out of Asterix as kids do; in fact, grown-ups might have more fun as they recognize some of the obscure comedic references (such as, in one book, the two Roman legionaries who resemble Laurel and Hardy) that fly over most kids' heads. The next time you're in a big bookstore, see if they have some of the superb English translations by Derek Hockridge and Anthea Bell; there are other translations, but they're not nearly as good. 

I read Asterix as a kid, kept the books, and passed them on to Beth and Ally-Jane, who also read and love them. When we learned that Asterix had his own theme park near Paris...well, we HAD to go. Click on each thumbnail to see a larger version. 


Near the entrance to the park is an immense figure of Asterix sitting atop a mountain;
Posing with menhirs and giant druidic items, and with the statue of a Roman Legionary;
The poster says, "Be on the lookout for two dangerous Gauls"--or do they mean "girls?" 


In their adventures, Asterix and Obelix travel all over the ancient world, as 
depicted in this map; we spent a lot of time (and $) in these themed gift shops...


In Asterix and Cleopatra, Asterix meets the architect Edifis (in French,
his name is "Numerobis"), and you can visit his "house" at the Parc.
As you can see, Edifis (that little fellow with us) is not very good at his job...


On the carousel, Beth chose to be transported by Romans;
Ally-Jane and I decided to hang out with Obelix...


...while Julius Caesar, Asterix's nemesis,
watched alongside Cleopatra


On a water ride and in line for riding the "chariots." The sign says
that if you fail at riding the "chariots," you'll be thrown to the lions 


On the "chariots" and one of the numerous roller coasters


The "scrambler"-type ride there is modeled after the mythological Hydra; 
Posing in front of the "Thunder of Zeus" roller coaster


Parc Asterix also has a dolphin show...


...and you know, we do love us some dolphins (especially Beth)


This "dolmen" is a crucial location in Asterix and the Golden Sickle;
One of the cauldrons where the druid Getafix brews his magic potion


A kids' playground located not far from the "Gaulish village" section...


...where we met Obelix and Asterix, who tried on my sunglasses


With Vitalstatistix, chief of the village, and his wife Impedimenta (see what I meant about the puns?); 
Trying out Vitalstatistix's favorite way of getting around, and taking a peek inside another cauldron


Outside the shop of the village fisherman, Unhygienix ("Ordralfabetix" is the
French version of his name), whose wares are never very fresh, and
slipping into Obelix's shoes inside his house


When touring the village, one must beware of falling menhirs...


The "sports car" from Asterix and the Normans,
and the "Throne of Thor" inspired by the same


Near the village was a boat ride with figures of characters from the various books, including
Cleopatra and her pet, Edifis, and his scheming rival, Artifis


Rajah Wotzit, Princess Orinjade, and Howdoo from Asterix and the Magic Carpet;
Petitsuix and a friendly mountain climber from Asterix in Switzerland


These owls constantly had to move house in The Mansions of the Gods


The druid Getafix, one of the boars that Obelix is so fond of eating, and our heroes
(with Obelix's pet, Dogmatix)


Some of the villagers: Bacteria and her husband, Unhygienix; Mr. and Mrs. Geriatrix;
Impedimenta, Chief Vitalstatistix and his shieldbearers


Asterix's cousin Anticlimax, from Asterix in Britain, and some Romans who've "met" our friends...


Vitalstatistix and Impedimenta followed me into 
the crepes shop, and like Obelix, Joni fell into the magic potion


Cacofonix the bard thinks he's a musical genius, but Panacea and everyone else thinks he's awful


One of those "teacup" rides based on Asterix and the Big Fight, and the coolest
ride ever: it's not a roller coaster, it's a bobsled (and it's not on a track!)

We went to Parc Asterix the day before we flew home to America. By that time, we were starting to get tired of crowds and rain and museums and history and "culture": the park was not crowded (we hardly had to wait in line for rides), the weather was warm and sunny, and the whole experience was just fun and unpretentious. Parc Asterix was one of the best parts of the whole trip, and if we're ever in Paris again, we will definitely go back.

Next: Impressions of Paris 

More photos of Paris

Posted July 2010