I tried Disney-alternative theme park which is just two hours from UK – these are best rides to try

IT’S fair to say the French are pretty proud traditionalists when it comes to their country’s culture.

In fact, there’s even a well-established government department designed to push back against too much “westernisation”.

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So when EuroDisney — now Disneyland — arrived to take on France’s beloved Asterix theme park back in 1992, they had a huge battle on their hands.

And, in all honesty, I couldn’t see how the French would win.

But unlike in many other countries, Parc Asterix might just have pipped Mickey Mouse to the post in France.

Disney certainly has the monopoly on world-renowned characters and a blow-out budget to create that real wow factor, all of which seems impossible to compete with — yet somehow Parc Asterix does.

The tickets are cheaper, the food is better, the shows are spectacular and the rides are a total revelation.

Add in a sprawling protected countryside backdrop just 30km outside Paris, with three separate hotels within the grounds at very reasonable prices, and you’ve got yourself a winner.

It’s pure escapism, based all around the cherished world of Asterix — the man who, in famous French comics, protected France from the Romans.

And what better way to embrace your inner Gaul than by screaming your head off on a super-fast ride?

Get soaked

At the last count, there were nine hardcore rides, as well as all the more child-friendly ones.

And with a guarantee that they will launch something new pretty much every year, you can return in the knowledge you will never be bored.

We were there to celebrate the opening of La Tour De Numerobis — a traditional swing chair ride with a difference.

The difference being it was very, very high.

So high in fact (40m), that the first time I went up, admittedly at night, I was terrified — and I don’t even mind heights.

Our favourite rollercoaster here, reaching speeds of 110km per hour, is the fastest in France and apparently holds the record for the most “air time” — the amount of time your bum leaves the seat (a whopping 23 times apparently!).

Or there’s OzIris, stretching one kilometre across an inverted track, looping its way round an Egyptian zone akin to a Hollywood film set.

And if you want to get soaked as a respite from the heat, there is at least three water rides around the expansive park.

With more than 50 attractions, there really is a ride for everyone, regardless of age, or fear factor — you definitely need more than one day if you want to get round all of them.

And sacre bleu, the shows! Admittedly they were in French — and if Parc Asterix wants to carry on bringing across the Brits, then some sort of translation might be in order.

But this was the standard of a West End show packed into half an hour of singing, dancing and general fun, based around the wonderful world of Asterix, Obelix and the Romans.

Or there was a nerve-jangling old school diving show where we watched as men and women, dressed as Romans, throw themselves from enormous heights.

A 4D cinema blew my daughters socks off (almost literally), and there’s a parade, a pirates show and a stunt show . . .  the list goes on.

The food was fabulous too. As always, the French understand that not everyone wants to be chowing down on bland burgers and chips.

Instead there are various restaurants on site offering everything from a la carte to all-you-can-eat, simple sandwich shops, and enough croissants, charcuterie, fast food and salads to please even the pickiest of eaters.

We were lucky enough to stay in La Cite Suspendue, a sprawling village of huts on stilts which has a marvellous buffet at breakfast and dinner — a lovely alternative to the usual bland theme park fodder.

And once again the countryside backdrop outside your window is a real winner.

But what really puts Parc Asterix head and shoulders above the rest is that there’s none of that feeling you are complicit in the funding of a big corporation, as with many of the global parks.

Instead there’s lovely little touches everywhere that make the whole place feel original, exciting and unique.

And if you grew up reading Asterix comics, well that’s just an added bonus.

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