Markel Redondo
France is packed with world-class art and some of the best food and wine on earth. But it's also brimming over with whimsical attractions and immersive park experiences that kids will go crazy for. Here are six of our favorite spots across the country.
Photo Caption: Vulcania in Clermont-Ferrand, France.
For fans of Buzz Lightyear, Mickey, Pooh, and friends, few theme parks can beat Paris's Disneyland. Pack a picnic to avoid the expensive junk food.
Photo Caption: Disneyland Paris.
These two great attractions are near Brest in Brittany, which is our overall top pick for family vacations. Océanopolis is an amazing aquarium with, most notably, an exuberant and comical polar penguin exhibition. Nearby Arbreizh Adventure outfits kids with harnesses so they can swing through the tree canopy.
Photo Caption: Penguins at Océanopolis in Brest, France.
Near the Tarascon caves containing prehistoric art, this museum in a theme park takes an innovative approach to teaching about our ancestors and the links between their art and ours. Best of all are the educators who demonstrate to rapt children how to light a fire, track an animal, and other prehistoric skills.
Photo Caption: Parc de Préhistoire in Tarascon-sur-Ariege, France.
Poitiers' technology-themed park will have your kids screaming with delight on rollercoasters and 4-D rides where the seats move along with the 3-D action on the screen.
Photo Caption: Futuroscope in Poitiers, France.
In the heart of the Auvergne's volcano-studded landscape, Vulcania is a 21stcentury science park with an awe-inspiring re-creation of an active volcano and a 4-D cinematic simulator of an eruption, among other attractions. Your kids will be having so much fun they won't even realize they're learning.
Photo Caption: This ultra-modern architectural crater is the entrance to Vulcania, a fascinating volcano theme park in France.
Photo Caption: Vulcania in Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Photo Caption: Disneyland Paris.
Photo Caption: Penguins at Océanopolis in Brest, France.
Photo Caption: Parc de Préhistoire in Tarascon-sur-Ariege, France.
Photo Caption: Futuroscope in Poitiers, France.
Photo Caption: This ultra-modern architectural crater is the entrance to Vulcania, a fascinating volcano theme park in France.