France Pavilion at Epcot
Setting: The Eiffel Tower (replica) is the most famous monument in the France Pavilion. The buildings are themed like those found in Paris between 1870 and 1910.
Otherwise known as “La Belle Epoque,” or “The Beautiful Time,” France features a gorgeous courtyard area with a fountain and immaculately maintained gardens. The arrow points towards the entrance to France’s two current attractions, the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along and Impressions de France. Disney still has Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, a dark ride similar to the attraction from Disneyland Paris, slated for a summer 2020 opening. Its arrival will certainly bring thousands more guests deeper into the Pavilion every day.
The ride is actually behind the buildings you see in this picture and the entrance will be around to the right.
Attraction Info:
France offers two different films in the same theater. The Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along is currently scheduled from 11am until the early evening, which is typically 6:30pm or 7pm.
For more on that show, see this full review.
The second presentation is the 18-minute film titled “Impressions de France.” Projected onto five large screens, Impressions provides a 200 degree panoramic view of France, its people, and its culture. You’ll experience many of France most popular destinations, including the gardens at Versailles, the Eiffel Tower, and the breathtaking French Alps. Unlike the films at China or Canada, you’ll be able to sit and relax during the air-conditioned show. Impressions usually takes over for the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along around 7pm and may only be offered for about an hour. See the full review for more information.
Serveur Amusant is a comedy/acrobatics show scheduled throughout the afternoon in the courtyard area in front of the Chefs de France restaurant. It’s a funny and daring show in which the performers build a tower out of chairs and tables and then juggle and do various tricks while standing at the top of their creation. Check your Times Guide or My Disney Experience app for when this 20 minute show starts.
Dining Options: France has among the most plentiful dining options of any World Showcase Pavilion.
Chefs de France is the casual brasserie located on the ground level underneath Monsieur Paul.
Now that the restaurant offers just one, higher-priced menu all day, I’m a little less high on recommending it for lunch. Still, it’s a bright, airy, and authentic choice.
Monsieur Paul is the upscale, signature restaurant located upstairs.
With limited, picturesque views of World Showcase, white linen tablecloths, and exquisite attention to detail, couples looking for an intimate meal and those looking for some of the best food at Epcot should look no further. Takumi-Tei in Japan is also worth a look for fine dining at Epcot.
The Boulangerie Patisserie is the quick service outlet. It offers a variety of breads, cheese, sandwiches, soups, and salads. Desserts, like creme brulee, napoleons, and macarons also impress.
Tarts and more.
L’artisan des Glaces serves the best ice cream in World Showcase.
They offer a variety of options, including ice cream in a pressed brioche or an ice cream martini.
Crepes served with chocolate sauce, ice cream, and more are available from an outdoor kiosk. When Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opens, a new crepe restaurant with sit-down and to-go orders should debut alongside it.
Any way you look at it, there’s plenty to eat in France, whether you’re looking to spend $4 or $400.
Drink Around the World: Along with Mexico and Germany, France is one of the better drinking destinations in the World Showcase. The kiosk in front of the France Pavilion serves a variety of wines and champagne by the glass. The outlet also offers Kronenbourg 1644 beer and the extremely popular Grey Goose Citron Lemonade Slush and Grand Mariner Orange Slush. Both slushes taste like liquid candy and are particularly good choices in the summer heat. The Kronenbourg 1664 isn’t a particularly good beer, but it’s inoffensive and easy to drink.
For a wider variety of wine options, head into the wine store near the entrance to Impressions/Beauty and the Beast. Several wine flights are also available there.
Character Sightings:
Belle greets guests in her blue dress in front of the Pavilion. Princess Aurora meets in a gazebo in the back right corner. The characters may move with ongoing construction.
Shopping Opportunities: France is certainly known for its shopping, so there shouldn’t be any surprise that there’s plenty to buy in their Pavilion. Guerlain, owned by the Louis Vuitton conglomerate, is the title sponsor. Many of their products are available at La Signature. There is also another parfumerie with a variety of other fragrances for men and women.
Expect to find a wide variety of other items as well. These include wine, chocolates, designer soap, clothing, miniature Eiffel Towers, and a plethora of other items.
I wear the chef’s hat when I’m microwaving my Lean Cuisines at home.
Overall Ratings:
Setting: 8/10
Attractions: ?/10
Dining: 8/10
Drinking: 7/10
Shopping: 8/10
France will undergo a transformation that may be even greater than the one Norway saw when the Frozen Ever After ride replaced Maelstrom when Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opens. Regardless, the Pavilion is beautiful, and the stores and eateries already available impress. Most guests take some time to look around, and even more will head back once the new ride opens. See this video for a walking tour of the Pavilion.
Marie the Cat from Aristocats is another character there.