Last updated on January 25th, 2024 at 08:49 pm
Since its opening more than 25 years ago, Disneyland Paris has used French culture and architecture as inspiration for its attractions, shows, landscaping, and cuisine. Here’s a guide to Disneyland Paris rides and other attractions with authentic French touches that make a visit to this Disney destination an experience not to be missed!
Disneyland Paris Rides & Attractions Not to be Missed
Call me crazy, but there was no way I was going to plan a trip to France without carving out at least a day at Disneyland Paris! So, when I was putting together the itinerary for our recent trip, I made sure to plan a big, fat weekend excursion to the Happiest Place in Europe.
But here’s the thing:
While I was excited to check out the attractions and go on the rides, what I found myself doing most was just walking around and taking pictures. Everything was just so French and beautiful, and so different than both Disneyland in Anaheim and Walt Disney World! I was not expecting that but fell instantly in love.
So here’s a photo tour of all the best “only-in-Paris” sights and bites that are so deliciously French, you’ll want to book your flight to Paris right now!
Ratatouille’s Paris
Disneyland Paris (formerly Euro Disney) in Marne-la-Vallée, France is actually comprised of two parks – Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.
My very first stop when I arrived at Disneyland Paris was Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy – or as we gringos say, Ratatouille: The Adventure. It is located inside Walt Disney Studios Park.
Ratatouille: The Adventure opened in 2014, a few years before the same ride opened in the France Pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase. The ride’s façade is Gusteau’s restaurant, and riders shrink down to the size of Remy and duck, dive, dodge and spin to safety aboard a “ratmobile” in a chaotic chase across the restaurant’s gigantic kitchen.
The ride was awesome, but the little corner of the park is magnificently French, with Parisian buildings, a sidewalk café, and even little statues.
This area does for Ratatouille what Cars Land at Disney California Adventure does for the movie Cars – brings the whole world to life!
The many unique shops and boutiques at Disneyland Paris offer souvenirs you won’t find anywhere else! My favorite shop was Chez Marianne, located directly adjacent to the Ratatouille ride.
This shop had some of the best rat and non-rat themed French housewares and souvenirs. (And for the record, this is the only store in the world where a person should be allowed to get excited about rat-themed souvenirs!)
Bistrot Chez Rémy is a table service restaurant and a not-to-be-missed experience at Disneyland Paris! Shrink down to the size of a rat and feast on French cuisine in this Parisian bistro straight from the world of Disney Pixar.
The décor alone is worth the price of the meal. Guests sit on giant champagne corks. Oversized cocktail umbrellas, cookbooks and cutlery give you a rat’s-eye view while you dine on ratatouille or one of the restaurant’s many other signature dishes and desserts!
Disneyland Rides, Attractions & Other Things So French, You’ll Want to Cry!
Ratatouille: The Adventure is not the only Disneyland Paris ride that screams French flair. Wonderful architecture, decor and unique touches can be found all over the parks.
The Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups is a beautiful example. Tea Cups twirl under an intricate canopy. This helps keep the winter weather out and provides shade from the sun in the summer!
It may serve Italian food, but Pizzeria Bella Notte in Fantasyland, is dripping with Parisian charm. The restaurant features a Lady and the Tramp motif, with a variety of decor based upon the film, including murals on the walls and sculpted columns featuring the characters.
Even the storefronts at Disneyland Paris have an amazing Old World European flair!
Although English is spoken widely at Disneyland Paris, some signs are in French! A charming touch to remind you you’re in Paris.
Architecture is not the only place you’ll come across uniquely French touches not found at any other Disney park! Take a ride on Pirates of the Caribbean and you’ll be treated to Jack Sparrow talking French. Yup. Johnny Depp’s soliloquy alternates between English and French. C’est Magnifique!
You’ll find pizza, popcorn, burgers and the usual theme park fare, but only Disneyland Paris also offers amazing French delicacies and pastries around every corner.
After a day at the parks, end your visit at the Disneyland Hotel. While the hotel is opulent and beautiful, what makes it truly unique is its location!
When I say it is located at the entrance to Disneyland Paris, I don’t mean it’s a short walk away or a monorail ride away or even across the way. The Disneyland Hotel is literally located at the entrance to Disneyland Park – as in, you walk under the building to go through the gates. Hotel guests literally exit the hotel and they are in the park!
So why do you need to visit Disneyland Paris?
So why should every trip to France include a visit Disneyland Paris, even if you’ve already visited other Disneyland parks? Because Disney captures and delivers the idealized version of Paris that you’ve come to France with the dream of experiencing, and you won’t find that at any other Fantasyland in the world!
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Carly LM says
I love how they’ve incorporated French touches throughout the entire park, not just the Ratatouille area! I studied French in high school, and I would love to see if I could decipher robo-Johnny Depp “en francais”!
Julie says
Ok, I’m convinced. Although I’m a huge Disney fan, and go to Disneyland at least once a year, I was never really interested in Disneyland Paris. I guess I didn’t quite get how it would be unique or fit into my idea of a French vacation. But I get it now – thanks!
Emily says
These parks are truly works of art, aren’t they! I always associate visiting theme parks with disconnecting from the outside world – I love how this one reflects Paris so you still feel ‘in touch’ with the place. I’ve been to Disneyland Tokyo and I can’t remember anything like that – but maybe I was just too young to appreciate it! These little touches must make it so much more enjoyable for adults.
Adele Gee says
I am a big fan of theme parks – so this is definitely for me. I love it when theme parks adopt the flair of the place they are in. Great highlight and I love the colourful pictures.
Sarah says
This just took me back to the time when I visited Disneyland. As a kid though!
Now, I have a little one and I’m looking forward to taking him to Disneyland someday 🙂
umiko says
Your pictures speak! I really like the store front with a tree at the front where its branches disappeared into the windows. That’s true Disneyland magic! The Sleeping Beauty Castle looks so beautiful, too! Now I wonder why did people I know say not to go there.
Samantha says
I’d love to go on the Ratatouille ride! I’ve also been to the American locations, but I can imagine there is so much more charm at the French location!
Chirasree Banerjee says
This is definitely in my list and would love to take my daughter here. Love seeing your pictures. Thanks for sharing.