Paris is for walking, yet teems with cars and tour buses. Banish their omnipresent blare by taking the steps down to river level at every opportunity. For 2,000 years the Seine has been Paris’ pulse. Looking up at Notre Dame from the left bank quayside instead of from the roadside, it’s easy to imagine scenes from the city’s rich historical – and fictional – past. Like de Gaulle remaining unflustered as sniper shots fired by pro-Nazi sympathisers concealed within the cathedral’s cavernous interior narrowly missed turning the1944 mass to celebrate the liberation of Paris into a massacre. Or Quasimodo sliding down his rope to rescue a praying Esmeralda about to be led to the gallows. Sight Seeker’s Delight pack phenomenal detail into their 4-hour Seine walking tour, and, on Sundays, the right bank running close to the Eiffel Tower is closed to traffic and given over to pedestrians before being transformed into Paris Plages for a month from 20 July: several kilometres of sand, seaside fun and stunning views.
sightseekersdelight.com

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Everyone loves an underdog, and the Gauls were the underdogs par excellence when the Romans invaded. (Think also second world war and the German occupation, which inspired Astérix’s creation.) Most children have studied the Romans so will appreciate the historical details and Romans-bashing. Reading the brief introduction in any Astérix book to the main characters and to the magic potion which makes them invincible will add to the enjoyment.

Comparisons with Disneyland Paris (35 miles away) are inevitable. Parc Astérix – where even the wheelchair rider on the disabled signs wears a winged helmet - is far more compact and less expensive. There are plenty of white knuckle – and wet – rides for teens, and enough family rides to keep little ones happy. Meanwhile, the many French visitors and focus on all things Gallic, including areas for le pique-nique, make you feel you truly are en vacances in France.

As with any theme park, arrive before park opening midweek (definitely avoid Sundays), queue early for the shows - especially the dolphins - and save money by booking park admission a week ahead. North of Paris, the park is well signposted
from the A1, and a special Parc Astérix bus leaves from Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport terminal 3.

30 km North of Paris. A1 Paris/Lille motorway, direct exit Parc Astérix between #7 and #8. www.parcasterix.fr
Google map: tinyurl.com/39jxpq2

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