Parc Astérix

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Parc Astérix is a theme park north of Paris, not far from Charles de Gaulle airport. The amusement park was built in 1989 around the Astérix comic strips developed by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. These comics are not well known in the U.S., but they are popular in Europe and in many other countries (particularly France).

Parc Astérix predates Disneyland Paris by several years. When the latter park was built, many feared that it would drive Parc Astérix out of business (the two parks are only 48 kilometres apart, one north of Paris, and the other east of Paris). However, what actually happened was similar to what has happened in the Los Angeles area: each amusement park has simply generated more traffic for the other, so that attendance at both parks continues to rise.

Anyway, this photo shows the Via Antiqua, the Parc Astérix equivalent of Main Street at Disneyland. Like Disneyland, this park is fairly diverse in its attractions and it is difficult to show the overall atmosphere of the park with a single picture. This photograph was taken in spring on a weekday, and there was a substantial crowd in the park.

Photographed on May 8, 2000.