From old favourite Mickey Mouse to futuristic 5D rides, France's adventure parks have something for the whole family.
1 Disneyland Paris
Europe's most-visited theme park, with an average 13.3 million visitors a year, is just 30km outside central Paris and easily accessible by train. Inside the park gates, there are five different lands to explore, with rides and activities for kids of all ages. There are the famous big-hitters like Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean, and old favourites like It's a Small World. Go for the day or, if you'd like to stay longer, the adjacent Disney Village has hotels, shops and restaurants.
2 Futuroscope
For something a little bit different, Futuroscope, near Poitiers, is a future-themed multimedia park with a bunch of 3D and 4D rides. The Extraordinary Journey takes you on a virtual trip around the world; Dances with Robots is one big bionic rave; and for the speed demons, Sebastien Loeb Racing Experience is the world's first 5D virtual reality attraction, putting you in the co-driving seat alongside the 9-time World Rally Drivers' champion. Arthur the 4D Adventure is based on the children's book and film series Arthur and the Invisibles by Luc Besson, and the nightly show is an "aquatic fairytale" from Cirque du Soleil. When the high-energy rides get too much, relax in the park's 60ha of gardens.
