TPJThemeParkJames

Day 1: Jardin d'Acclimatation

Fortnight in France

The start of the adventure...

Saturday 1st July 2023

Time to leave the airport hotel and go and meet the rest of the group

Time to leave the airport hotel and go and meet the rest of the group

We met our coach at Terminal 2G, one of the remotest parts of Charles de Gaulle airport which required a 15 minute shuttle bus ride from the main Terminal 2 buildings

We met our coach at Terminal 2G, one of the remotest parts of Charles de Gaulle airport which required a 15 minute shuttle bus ride from the main Terminal 2 buildings

The coach drove us into the centre of Paris for the first park of the trip, 
    <a href='../../../../theme-parks/europe/france/jardin-d-acclimatation/'>Jardin d'Acclimatation</a>

The coach drove us into the centre of Paris for the first park of the trip, Jardin d'Acclimatation

Jardin d'Acclimatation originally opened in the Bois de Boulogne (a large public park in Paris' 16th arrondissement) as a zoo back in in 1860

Jardin d'Acclimatation originally opened in the Bois de Boulogne (a large public park in Paris' 16th arrondissement) as a zoo back in in 1860

Some of us (Mess) were a little too excited and thought this was a ride!

Some of us (Mess) were a little too excited and thought this was a ride!

Our first rollercoaster of the trip was <a href='../../../../theme-parks/europe/france/jardin-d-acclimatation/rides/speed-rockets/'>Speed Rockets</a>, a fun Gerstlauer Bobsled Coaster

Our first rollercoaster of the trip was Speed Rockets, a fun Gerstlauer Bobsled Coaster

There was plenty of variety to the layout and it was nice and smooth

There was plenty of variety to the layout and it was nice and smooth

We quickly followed up with a ride on Les Souris Mécaniques

We quickly followed up with a ride on Les Souris Mécaniques

It was quite whippy for a little spinning mouse, in a way best described by the phrase "delightfully violent"

It was quite whippy for a little spinning mouse, in a way best described by the phrase "delightfully violent"

Our third and final rollercoaster of the day was the park's brand new and wonderfully themed wacky worm, Fils du Dragon

Our third and final rollercoaster of the day was the park's brand new and wonderfully themed wacky worm, Fils du Dragon

A <a href='https://www.lillestromskolekorps.no/' target='_blank'>marching band from Norway</a> were celebrating their 100th anniversary with a performance in the park

A marching band from Norway were celebrating their 100th anniversary with a performance in the park

The bouncy Astrolabe was a lot of fun

The bouncy Astrolabe was a lot of fun

We thought it would be nice to take a trip on the little train.
    We were a bit confused when the guy at the entrance asked us if we wanted to go to the station ... it turns out it is actually a train which goes out of 
    Jardin d'Acclimatation and travels to the local railway station!

We thought it would be nice to take a trip on the little train. We were a bit confused when the guy at the entrance asked us if we wanted to go to the station ... it turns out it is actually a train which goes out of Jardin d'Acclimatation and travels to the local railway station!

Understandably we decided to stay inside the park(!) and took a ride on the scenic boat ride instead

Understandably we decided to stay inside the park(!) and took a ride on the scenic boat ride instead

A late sandwich lunch

A late sandwich lunch

Last ride of the day was an interactive shooting cinema style attraction

Last ride of the day was an interactive shooting cinema style attraction

Our first hotel was the <a href='https://villepinte-parc-des-expositions.campanile.com/en-us/' target='_blank'>Campanile Villepinte</a>

Our first hotel was the Campanile Villepinte

The very basic motel style didn't scream luxury

The very basic motel style didn't scream luxury

Security shutters over the windows made us think that perhaps this wasn't the best area in town either

Security shutters over the windows made us think that perhaps this wasn't the best area in town either

Inside, the room was basic but clean

Inside, the room was basic but clean

Eager to share some good moments as advised, we decided to head out for dinner. However, others in the group had already found most of the local restaurants had closed early for the night,
    worried about the <a href='https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-66068964' target='_blank'>riots springing up all over Paris and elsewhere in France</a>.

Eager to share some good moments as advised, we decided to head out for dinner. However, others in the group had already found most of the local restaurants had closed early for the night, worried about the riots springing up all over Paris and elsewhere in France.

We ended up in the restaurant attached to the hotel, which served some suprisingly good food

We ended up in the restaurant attached to the hotel, which served some suprisingly good food

Ending the night with drinks in the hotel bar

Ending the night with drinks in the hotel bar

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