Epcot World Showcase - France
France Pavilion
The France Pavilion at EPCOT is one of the original World Showcase pavilions and is designed to evoke the charm, romance, food, art, and architecture of Paris and the French countryside. Located between the United Kingdom and Morocco pavilions, this area of World Showcase features scenic waterfront views, cobblestone-style walkways, French-inspired gardens, restaurants, bakeries, shops, character greetings, films, and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure.
The pavilion is a bit deceptive at first glance. Tucked away behind Monsieur Paul is a quiet alleyway where guests will find Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie, one of the most popular bakery stops in EPCOT. This hidden back area is also one of the best places in the pavilion to slow down, grab a pastry, and enjoy a break from the World Showcase promenade.
When approaching France from the United Kingdom Pavilion, guests cross a Pont des Arts-inspired footbridge. This area is designed to suggest the Seine waterfront, complete with flower carts, artists, water views, and a clear sightline toward the pavilion's Eiffel Tower. It is also one of the most scenic photo spots in World Showcase.
The center fountain is a great place to sit, relax, and people watch. The pavilion's streets are lined with cobblestone-style pavement, and guests will often hear French music as they explore the shops, restaurants, and tucked-away corners of the pavilion.
Beauty and the Beast is also represented in the France Pavilion. Belle and Aurora often appear for character greetings in or near the pavilion, depending on the daily entertainment schedule. Guests should check the My Disney Experience app for current appearance times and locations.
When you think of France, wine, perfume, pastries, and elegant shopping often come to mind, and EPCOT's France Pavilion includes all of them. Guests will find French wines, perfume, cosmetics, souvenirs, pastries, ice cream, crêpes, table-service restaurants, and quick-service dining throughout the pavilion.
There are several carts and walk-up locations around the pavilion. Guests will find souvenirs, French treats, crêpes, champagne, wine, cocktails, and frozen drinks, including the popular Grand Marnier and Grey Goose slush-style beverages often associated with this area of World Showcase.
Adding to the authenticity is the pavilion's Eiffel Tower. This much-photographed landmark is a scaled-down replica inspired by the famous Paris landmark and helps create the feeling of a Parisian street scene from across World Showcase Lagoon.
- Location: World Showcase at EPCOT, between the United Kingdom and Morocco pavilions.
- Opening date: October 1, 1982, with the opening of EPCOT Center.
- Main attractions: Impressions de France, Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure.
- Signature dining: Les Chefs de France, Monsieur Paul, La Crêperie de Paris, Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie, and L'Artisan des Glaces.
- Best for: French food, pastries, wine, perfume, romantic photo spots, character greetings, and a slower World Showcase break.
- Family-friendly ride: Remy's Ratatouille Adventure has no height requirement.
- Nearby entrances: The International Gateway is located between the France and United Kingdom areas, giving guests easy access to EPCOT area resorts, Disney Skyliner, and Disney's BoardWalk area.
The France Pavilion has a strong mix of classic EPCOT storytelling and newer family-friendly attractions. Guests will find a long-running travel film, a Beauty and the Beast sing-along, a French storytelling exhibit, and a Ratatouille-inspired ride in the expanded Parisian courtyard.
Impressions de France is shown in the Palais du Cinema. This classic EPCOT film is an 18-minute trip through France, giving guests a look at the country's landmarks, countryside, cities, art, music, and culture. It is also a seated, indoor attraction, making it a welcome break during a hot or busy park day.
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The film includes views of places such as Versailles, Normandy, the Loire Valley, French markets, vineyards, hot air balloons, and Bastille Day celebrations. The soundtrack features music by French composers, helping make this one of the most relaxing attractions in World Showcase.
The Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along plays in the Palais du Cinema in addition to Impressions de France. The show gives guests a fun way to revisit songs from the animated film with a different storytelling angle. Check the My Disney Experience app for current showtimes.
The Tale As Old As Time: French Storytelling on Stage and Screen exhibit is another good air-conditioned stop inside the Palais du Cinema. The exhibit features gallery cases with costumes, music, artwork, and other pieces tied to French literature and its influence on cinema, theater, ballet, opera, and Disney stories such as Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty.
Remy's Ratatouille Adventure opened on October 1, 2021, as part of EPCOT's France Pavilion expansion. The attraction is themed after the 2007 Disney-Pixar film Ratatouille and places guests in the role of a rat-sized visitor racing through Gusteau's Paris restaurant.
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This family-friendly attraction uses trackless ride vehicles, oversized kitchen scenes, screens, smells, and movement to create the feeling of scurrying through Remy's world. The ride is located in the expanded courtyard behind the original France Pavilion, near La Crêperie de Paris and Crêpes À Emporter.
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The France Pavilion is one of the best dining areas in EPCOT for guests looking for pastries, French bakery items, wine, ice cream, crêpes, cocktails, quick-service meals, or table-service dining. Options range from casual snacks and walk-up counters to signature dining and a full-service brasserie.
Les Chefs de France - Les Chefs de France is a table-service restaurant with bright dining rooms, large windows, and views of the pavilion's main walkway. The menu focuses on French brasserie-style dining, making it a strong choice for lunch or dinner in World Showcase.
Monsieur Paul - Monsieur Paul is the pavilion's upscale signature dining restaurant. Located above Les Chefs de France, this restaurant offers a more refined dining experience with French cuisine, elegant service, and a quieter setting above the main promenade.
At Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie, guests will find croissants, eclairs, mousse, quiche, tarts, cheese plates, sandwiches, coffee, and French bakery desserts. This tucked-away bakery is one of the most popular quick-service locations in the pavilion and is a good option for breakfast, lunch, dessert, or a snack.
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L'Artisan des Glaces is the pavilion's artisan ice cream and sorbet shop. Flavors rotate, and the location is known for house-made ice cream, sorbet, cones, cups, and dessert options. Adults may also find ice cream drinks with liqueur, depending on current menu offerings.
La Crêperie de Paris brings additional French cuisine to EPCOT near Remy's Ratatouille Adventure. This restaurant is inspired by the Brittany region of France and features savory galettes and sweet crêpes.
La Crêperie de Paris offers table-service dining, while the nearby Crêpes À Emporter window gives guests a quicker option for galettes, sweet crêpes, and drinks. This newer courtyard area is also a good place to find details from the France Pavilion expansion.
There are several shops and merchandise locations throughout the France Pavilion. Guests will find perfume, cosmetics, wine, kitchen items, French sweets, books, souvenirs, apparel, and Eiffel Tower-themed gifts.
Perfumes and colognes are featured in Plume et Palette, where guests will often find luxury fragrance and beauty brands. Guerlain is also represented in the pavilion, with fragrances, cosmetics, and beauty products.
At La Maison du Vin, guests will find French wines, wine accessories, chocolates, cookies, kitchen linens, soaps, and other French-inspired items. This is a good stop for guests interested in food, wine, and home goods.
Souvenirs de France carries French-themed gifts and EPCOT souvenirs, including berets, miniature Eiffel Towers, apparel, bags, books, toys, and other items tied to the pavilion's Parisian setting.
All areas of the France Pavilion are wheelchair accessible.
- The France Pavilion opened with EPCOT Center on October 1, 1982.
- The pavilion is located in World Showcase between the United Kingdom and Morocco.
- The Eiffel Tower in the pavilion is a scaled-down replica and is one of the main visual icons of World Showcase.
- Disney uses forced perspective to help the Eiffel Tower appear farther away and taller from the main promenade.
- The bridge between the United Kingdom and France pavilions is inspired by the Pont des Arts in Paris.
- Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie is tucked away in the back of the pavilion, making it easy to miss on a first visit.
- Impressions de France is one of EPCOT's classic opening-era attractions.
- Impressions de France uses a 200-degree widescreen presentation.
- The Palais du Cinema also houses the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along and a French storytelling exhibit.
- Remy's Ratatouille Adventure opened at EPCOT on October 1, 2021.
- Remy's Ratatouille Adventure is located in the France Pavilion expansion behind the original pavilion.
- La Crêperie de Paris and Crêpes À Emporter are inspired by the Brittany region of France.
- The France Pavilion is one of EPCOT's strongest dessert spots, with pastries, macarons, ice cream, sorbet, crêpes, and festival treats often available.
- The pavilion is a popular photo location because of its gardens, fountain, waterfront views, Eiffel Tower sightline, and Paris-inspired architecture.
- Say "hello" in French by saying "bonjour" (bohn-ZHOOR).
HIDDEN MICKEYS: Check the grates at the base of the trees in the France Pavilion.
