World Showcase France
THIRD COUNTRY
IF TRAVELING COUNTERCLOCKWISE AROUND LAGOON
A showcase of
France featuring a light and airy city park and a tree-lined allee where
you can find traditional French pastries, art, food, perfume boutique and
theatre..
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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 Bradford pear trees
more tolerant of 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 three
times during the summer, adding abundant color to the landscape.
On the way to the next pavilion, a much larger parterre garden can be
seen over the bridge.
With the lively atmosphere of an authentic brasserie along the Rue de
Seine, the celebrated Chefs de France restaurant has a whole new look
and a new attitude.
The menu still features the gastronomic creations of its three famous
owner-chefs: Paul Bocuse, Gaston Lenotre and Roger Verge, whose gourmet
restaurants in Lyon, Paris and Cote d' Azur, respectively, are known
around the world.
The cuisine retains its allegiance to the celebrated owners with such
favorites as grilled tenderloin of beef with a Bordeaux wine sauce,
traditional French onion soup, or a Mediterranean seafood casserole.
Complete with it's own Eiffel Tower and dancing fountains, France is
one of the most serene countries in World Showcase. Not to be
missed here are the French Bakery with it's sinful treats and the film
"Impressions De France" show in the quaint theatre Palais
du Cinema. Fantastic music punctuates your whirlwind 18 minute
tour of France.
INTRODUCTION
As you leave the United Kingdom, cross over the English Channel (known
in Epcot as the International Gateway Bridge) into France. The
Showcase reflects France from 1870-1910, a period known as La Belle
Epoque, the beautiful time. Here you will find a book shop, art,
a perfume shop, theater, a sidewalk cafe, restaurant, and the busy garden
marketplace of Paris.
ATTRACTIONS
Impressions de France - The Palais du Cinema is the home of the 200
degree airborne French travelogue set to classical music. The
score of Impressions de France was recorded in London by the National
Philharmonic. It was the first motion picture to have its soundtracks
recorded digitally and then to be taken digitally through every step
of editing, mixing and dubbing. The movie is approximately 18
minutes long.
Scenes from Impressions de France include Normandy, Loire Valley, Cognac,
Cannes, Paris, and many more.
Click here for the full listing of scenes in order of appearance.
Click here for a listing of the musical selections.
Epcot Attractions At A Glance
DINING
Chefs de France - The menu features the creations of its three
famous owner-chefs: Paul Bocuse, Gaston Lenotre and Roger Verge .
Escargot, Coquilles Saint-Jacques, classic French onion soup, Mediterranean
seafood casserole, and canard à l'orange (roasted duck) are some of
the flavors you will find here. Chefs de France is located on
the main level.
Bistro de Paris - located on the 2nd floor above Chefs de France is
the pricier Bistro de Paris which offers delicacies such as pan-seared
foie gras, truffles, lobster fricassee, and roasted quail.
Boulangerie Paitisserie - a wonderful pastry shop so save room for dessert!
Get an IllumiNations spot and send one of your group here for coffee
and pastries to bring back! Be sure to get a good whiff of the
baked goods smell that is piped out of the shop.
Epcot Restaurants At A Glance
Menus From Around the World
Vegetarian and Other Special Diets
ENTERTAINMENT
Imaginum - solid marble statues come to life and entertain children
and adults.
Cyranose de Bergerac - performed daily by the World Showcase Players,
this spoof of the famous story of the nasally gifted Cyrano features
audience participation.
Also enjoy the Melodies de Paris.
For more information on Epcot and WDW Live Entertainment, visit Steve
Soares WDW Entertainment Website.
Plume Et Palette - Designer fragrances
Shopping in Walt Disney World
INTERESTING FACTS
The park bordering the canal along the right side of the pavilion was
inspired by the famous painting "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island
of La Grande Jatte" by pointillist artist Georges Seurat.
The landscape here has a single objective: to reflect an urban
ambiance, particularly springtime in Paris. Street trees along
the central boulevard are positioned and pruned to enhance the illusion
of distance. Planters in this area reveal pastel mixes of flowers,
lending an impressionistic flavor and reinforcing the theme.
The Eiffel Tower is an example of Forced Perspective. The one-tenth
replica of the Eiffel Tower was constructed using Gustav Eiffel's original
blueprints. If you looked at the Eiffel Tower today as it stands
in Paris, it would have similar coloring to the Statue of Liberty in
New York. However, here in Epcot, the Eiffel Tower is more tan
and pinkish. The reason is the France Pavilion here represents
the late 1800s and the Eiffel Tower is the same color it would have
been then. |
