Sick of Disneyland? Let’s just say that we were never huge fans, especially as it takes 45 minutes to get there before you start queuing, and queuing, and queuing… Luckily, each Spring Paris hosts the Foire du Trône, an old school funfair with a load of old school fun!… Big fun! Did I mention the fun?!

photo de looking4poetry used under cc licence


Giant teddies in the arms of young couples, the distant sound of screaming… near the Pelouse de Reuilly in the east of Paris there are all the telltale signs: the Foire du Trône is in town !!!

This annual institution has been amusing Parisians for the last 40 years with rollercoasters, hanted houses, hot dogs, candy floss and all the other sights and smells to bring memories of the days of your youth flooding back. It’s our little Coney Island.

This year, the opening ceremony « La Fête pour la vie » (The Party For Life) is being held on 3rd April with proceeds going to three charities: l’Association Laurette Fugain, la Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale and la Fondation Greffe de Vie. Entrance costs 20 euros for adults, 10 euros for the under-10s.

photo de chilipeppered used under cc licence

Don’t even think of going there by car (it’s a roadblock). The métro and buses are much simpler (there are even free buses from nearby car parks at Nation and Bercy on weekends and public holidays)

Here’s all the essential information for the Foire du Trône 2009 in Paris

When: 4th April – 1st June 2009
Where: Pelouse de Reuilly, 75012 Paris. Métro Porte Dorée (line
Opening hours: midday to midnight every day (and until 1am on Saturdays and the night before public holidays)
How much: entrance is free, the price of attraction varies wildly. A pass is available in advance only online at Francebillet, etc.
Official site (in French): here

Amusez-vous bien !

Bigger map here