Parc Astérix (Plailly, Oise): 50 Gallo-Roman attractions 35 min from Paris
Barely past Porte de la Chapelle, the A1 drops you in half an hour at Astérix’s realm. The park offers more than 50 rides of every kind: the wooden coaster Tonnerre 2 Zeus with a 90-degree drop and fourteen airtime moments for thrill-seekers, Gaulish stunt shows and meet-and-greets with costumed characters.
Little ones have a zone designed just for them, La Forêt d’Idéfix: five mini-rides from 80 cm, interactive water jets and a shaded playground perfect for a nap under the pines.
Practical info: dated tickets from €45 on weekdays (web price), free for under-3s; parking €20 and a direct shuttle from Porte Maillot (booking required). Download the official app to check height restrictions and book a Filotomatix skip-the-line pass if you visit on a hot weekend.
Île de loisirs de Jablines-Annet (Seine-et-Marne): white-sand beach and water sports
45 min east of Paris (A4 + A104), this 500-ha leisure base features two white-sand beaches with lifeguards all summer (21 May–9 September, 10 am–6 pm) and water rated “excellent” by the regional health agency. Between swims, rent a paddleboard or pedalo, or test the 800-m cable-ski that circles the lake; for calmer souls: riding centre, disc golf, mini-golf and the longest zip-line in Île-de-France.
Families love the shaded picnic areas, changing rooms with baby-changing tables and food trucks in high season. Entry during beach season: from €6 adult, €3 child (free under-3s); three-star campsite and van pitches if you want to extend the weekend.
Île de loisirs de Cergy-Pontoise (Val-d’Oise): sandy beach and aquatic fun
35 min from Porte Maillot via the A15, this leisure island offers 5 000 m² of sand, supervised swimming, a multi-lane waterslide and a 10 cm paddling pool for toddlers. Teens can chain together wakeboard, rafting or the Xtrem Tower while parents sip a smoothie under the thatched shelters. Prices: €5 (<12 yrs) / €7 (12 yrs +); free under-3s. Book a beach slot for heat-wave weekends: numbers are capped for comfort.
France Miniature (Élancourt, Yvelines): see France in a day plus 25 playful attractions
Across 5 ha of greenery, 117 French monuments at 1/30 scale rub shoulders with an adventure course inspired by Koh-Lanta, model trains and a splash-play zone. The park has just launched the immersive “Professor Anatole Foiretout” experience: time-travel puzzles and interactive shows at set times—scan the QR code at the entrance for the schedule. Expect €22–28 per ticket (free under-4s). Shaded picnic areas and baby-changing tables dotted along the route make the day easier.
Thoiry ZooSafari (Yvelines): drive-through safari + walking zoo 40 min from Paris
Drive with windows half-down among zebras, ostriches and giraffes, then get out to explore the lemur island and glass tunnels beneath the lions. Summer 2025 features the “Wild Nights” after-dark trail glowing with giant lanterns and musical performances (extra €8). Mist zones and free water points line the visit—don’t forget your water bottle! Dated tickets from €27 online, free for under-3s.
Whether you dream of a handful of sand, a gentle looping coaster or a face-to-face with a rhinoceros, the Paris region offers an amazing array of kid-friendly experiences less than an hour away. Alternate aquatic adventures (Cergy, Jablines) with more “terrestrial” thrills (Parc Astérix, France Miniature, Thoiry) to pace your summer holidays without ever hearing the dreaded “I’m bored.” Here’s to a perfectly refreshing family break!
Credits: @Pixabay
