FRANCE

The showcase reflects the ambiance of France between 1870 and 1910, a period known as La Belle Epoque, or “the beautiful time.” This was an energetic period of art and literature, grand exhibitions, inventions and science, and a time when a spectrum of styles formed the character of Paris boulevards and architecture. Within the showcase are: a book shop, reflective of art nouveau; a perfume and designer accessories shop styled after the chateau look of an older Paris, a theater pre-show facade copied from a classical portico; and a post-show interior modeled after Les Halles, the busy garden market of Paris.

Elsewhere are a sidewalk cafe and a restaurant, which is a scaled-down version of a 19th-century building with rolling mansard roofs and elegant ironwork. Also a provincial street reflects the village atmosphere of France, complementing the formal tree-lined streets of Paris. The one-tenth replica of the Eiffel Tower was constructed using Gustave Eiffel’s original blueprints.

The gardens in the France pavilion are light and airy, reminiscent of a city park. Gazing toward the shops and film attraction, guests notice the allee (avenue or pathway) of trees ascending the incline. This allee, normally of linden trees in France, is created with Natches crape myrtle, which thrive in Florida’s climate. To the right of this row of trees is Le Notre Garden, an embroidered parterre garden where 985 shrubs are shaped into the well-known fleur-de-lis design. And a circle of crape myrtle trees (substituting for lilacs found in France) bloom from early spring to late spring, adding abundant color to the landscape.

On the way to the next pavilion, a much larger parterre garden can be seen over the bridge.

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Attractions Impressions de France Serveur Amusant Pal Mickey Interaction Dining Chefs de France Bistro de Paris Boulangerie Patisserie Shopping Plume Et Palette - French art, crystal, fragrances. La Casserole - Kitchenware and other housewares. Les Vins De France - Regional French wines, wine tastings. La Signature - French perfumes, many exclusively available to World Showcase guests. Art Fest - Portrait artists. Galerie Des Halles - Candy, toys, clothes, authentic French souvenirs.

Tips & Fun Facts If you consider yourself a wine connoisseur, de sure to visit Les Vins de France and sample a few of the regional wines on offer. The replica Eiffel Tower rising high above the pavilion is approximately one tenth the size of the original, at 103 feet tall. It was constructed using the very same blueprints drawn up by Gustev Eiffel in the 19th century. The Eiffel tower has been painted with a sticky substance, discouraging birds from perching on it and thus ruining the illusion of forced perspective it creates. Featured are a replica of Les Halles, a once-beloved Parisian market, and a replica of Pont des Arts, a footbridge that once led from the Louvre to the quais of the Left Bank. The park alongside the canal is inspired by Georges Seurat's painting 'A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte'. Hidden Mickeys Look closely at the gratings found at the base of the trees. In the mock garden of Versailles in France, if you look closely, one of the shrubs is shaped like Mickey's head. Related Links Google Maps Park Map Photos