Les Villages Nature Paris review: the Center Parcs site that’s next door to Disneyland Paris

Our verdict

For families wanting to be in close proximity to Disney without spending a Disney budget, a stay at Les Villages Nature Paris is certainly worth considering. 

Less than a 10 minute drive from Disneyland Paris itself, situated 30 minutes from the centre of Paris, and just over a three hour drive from Calais, Les Villages Nature Paris - also referred to as Villages Nature Paris or just VNP - offers families a great place to stay, relax and explore what the area has to offer.

It's a great location to enjoy nature at its finest

As a Center Parcs, VNP is home to an educational farm, huge indoor and outdoor playgrounds, an impressive waterpark as well as plenty of wildlife, room to explore, a supermarket, and lots of food and dining options to choose from. It’s a great destination for families of all ages thanks to the different accommodation options available and the activity programs you can book in advance or on the day. 

Visitors here can book directly via Center Parcs, via Booking.com or package their stay up by booking through Disney - and while both options are great, there are differences between the two, which we’ll delve into. 

Villages Nature Paris: who stayed and for how long? 

• Family of four (two adults, two preschoolers) 

• Stayed for 11 nights, 12 days 

• Accommodation was a VIP apartment 

For our family holiday this year, my husband and I decided that we wanted to combine a trip to Disneyland Paris with a resort stay. We also knew that we wanted to avoid a plane journey this year, after previous trips abroad via air had left us scarred for life. 

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And so, taking advantage of an early booking offer (20% off if you book four months in advance), we landed on Villages Nature Paris and decided to drive from Leeds to Paris, with a one night stay in Folkestone on the way. Thankfully, our kids are quite good on long car journeys. With the help of snacks, a couple of activity tables, their Amazon Kindles, as well as a lot of bribery, we completed the almost eight hours of driving with ease across two days of travelling. 

The view from the top of the Aqua Mundo water park

What is Center Parcs? 

Center Parcs is a European network of villages that offer holidays in a forest setting. The concept began in the Netherlands and over the years has expanded into other European countries, including the UK, France, Belgium, and Germany. 

In France, there are seven holiday parks available located in different regions, including Sologne, Normandy, Picardy, Paris, and the Vosges mountains. 

The key features of most, if not all, Center Parcs destinations across Europe include: 

• Forest locations: all are situated in wooded areas and provide a natural environment for guests. 

• Accommodation: various types of self-catering lodges, villas, and apartments are available to book. At VNP, these have three levels: comfort, premium, or VIP. 

• Central facilities: each ‘village’ has a central area, which houses restaurants, shops, and other amenities.

• Swimming facilities: a signature feature of Center Parcs is a large indoor water park with pools, slides and lagoons. In their Paris location, this is the Aqua Mundo water park and lagoon. 

• Activities for all ages: they offer a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities for all family members, including sports, nature walks, spa treatments, and children’s programs. 

• Car-free environment: once guests arrive and unload their things, cars are typically parked for the duration of your stay. At VNP, guests can hire golf carts to travel around or bicycles are a popular choice to get around. 

Understandably in France, Center Parcs’ locations are tailored more towards a French market. So, there are some small differences between staying here than parks in the UK like cuisine options and activities. 

There's several dining outlets onsite, including a Frech bakery

In the case of Villages Nature Paris, this eco-tourism resort is a joint venture between Disney itself and Pierre & Vacances, a French tourism and real estate company. Sadly, there’s no hints of Disney or characters around the park, though, which we hoped there might have been. Only in the gift shop will you find anything Disney-related, like your usual Mickey and Minnie soft toy souvenirs, for example. 

This was our first time experiencing a Center Parcs of any kind, as we usually go down the all-inclusive route. We’d seen mixed reviews about VNP prior to our stay, but generally the consensus is that it’s a great place to rest and enjoy other activities outside of Disney but it’s not 5* luxury.

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Where is Villages Nature Paris? 

Located in Marne-la-Vallée, VNP is located roughly 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of Paris and is very close to Disneyland Paris itself. It’s also very close to the shopping mall, Val d’Europe, La Vallée Village, Château de Ferrières, Meaux, and is a good location for day trips to Fontainebleau, Provins, and Vaux-le-Vicomte.

The park is just over a three hour drive from Calais, when traffic is good. Expect your journey to stretch to three and a half or even four hours on days when traffic isn’t great. In our case, we hit a patch of bad traffic around Paris. 

The resort's water park is the main attraction here

How do you get to Villages Nature Paris? 

Due to its close proximity to Paris and Disneyland Paris, the park is very easy to travel to by your preferred method of transportation. For us, this was by car. 

Travelling to Villages Nature Paris by car

For those who are unsure about driving in France in your UK car, there’s no need to worry too much if you’re going straight from Calais to VNP and back. Thankfully, you’d be driving primarily on main roads, so it’s hard to get your sides of the road confused. 

The park itself is located just off the A4 motorway. If you’re coming from Paris, you take the A4 motorway eastbound towards Metz/Nancy, exiting at junction 14 where you’ll find easy-to-spot signs for Villages Nature Paris. Travel time from Paris, on a good day, is approximately 45 minutes to one hour. From Calais, you’re looking at at least three hours of driving without any stops. 

There’s ample parking at VNP itself, and we found that our parking lot was never full during our stay. And as we were staying in a VIP apartment, the parking wasn’t too far of a walk back to our accommodation. 

Travelling to Villages Nature Paris by train

The easiest way to get to the resort by train is to ride on the RER A line from Paris to Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station. 

This is directly next to Disneyland Paris and from there, you’ll find a shuttle bus service that’ll take you to VNP. Alternatively, you could take a taxi or rideshare service from the train station to the resort. 

The train journey from central Paris to Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy takes around 35 minutes. 

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Travelling to Villages Nature Paris by plane

The nearest major airport to Les Villages Nature Paris is Paris’ Charles de Gaulle (CDG), which is around 25 miles (40 kilometers) away. 

From the airport, there are different options available to get to VNP, including:

• Renting a car and driving (roughly 40 minutes) 

• Taking a taxi or rideshare service

• Using public transportation: take the TGV train from CDG to Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy (around 10 minutes), and then use a shuttle bus or taxi to reach VNP 

Paris Orly Airport is another option, but this is slightly further away (31 miles/50 kilometers). 

When is the best time to go to Villages Nature Paris? 

Given that the weather in Paris is similar to the UK’s, the best time to visit Villages Nature Paris largely depends on your preferences and the seasons. 

In summer (June to August)

You’ll likely enjoy warmer weather. We travelled in June, though, and still experienced rain. So, from my experience, aiming for July/August is most likely better if you want sunshine. Of course, with the school holidays, this is the busiest season for VNP (and Disneyland Paris), so expect more crowds and higher prices. 

Both spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October)

Guests at VNP should expect milder temperatures. Comfortable for most activities, but some may not be available if there’s poor weather (like boat rides). There’ll be fewer crowds at these times of year and potentially lower prices. 

We travelled early June and the weather was very similar to the UK

In winter (November to March)

Like the UK, it will be a lot colder and so some outdoor activities may be limited. Thankfully at Villages Nature Paris, there are plenty of indoor activities to enjoy - and if your primary goal is to visit Disneyland Paris at Christmas time, you’ll most definitely enjoy the festive atmosphere around VNP. In terms of pricing, there’s a chance you might grab a bargain, but do expect to spend more over the holiday period. 

Generally, late spring and early autumn are considered excellent times to visit, offering a good balance of pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and moderate prices. For us, we visited early June and faced a mixed bag with the weather. 

If you're interested in specific activities or events, it's worth checking the resort's calendar.

My top tip: pack layers! As the weather here is very similar to the UK, it's better to prepare for all weather conditions. So, pack plenty of layers so you can wrap up when it's rainy and chilly, but also cool down easily when the sun comes out.

What is the accommodation like at Villages Nature Paris? 

Given that we stayed in a duplex VIP apartment, I can only really comment on our own accommodation. However, we did some research prior to booking so we could compare each available option. 

Comfort, premium and VIP cottages

There are three tiers of cottages to choose from at Les Villages Nature Paris: comfort, premium and VIP. All come with free Wi-Fi included. 

Comfort cottage

Starting with the most basic option, a comfort cottage, guests can expect to be staying the furthest away from amenities. They come with large windows, a private wooden terrace with garden furniture, and an equipped open kitchen. These sleep two to six people. 

You’ll get: a baby kit, bedding package, made up beds, a final cleaning, kitchen package, and towel package. 

Premium cottage

Premium cottages are more modern, and are closer to the promenade and activities. Guests here will also have a private terrace with furniture. These can sleep two to eight people. 

You’ll get: a bedding package, made up beds, final cleaning, kitchen package, towel package. 

VIP cottage

VIP cottages are on the other side of the resort, and can sleep from 2 up to 12 guests(!), making them a great option if you’re travelling as a larger group. These are all lakeside, and are more modern, refined, and luxurious than the other cottage tiers. You’ll also have your own private waterside, wooden terrace with furniture and a whirlpool and massage shower to enjoy after a long day of fun. 

You’ll get a bedding package, made up beds, final cleaning, kitchen package, and towel package. You can also opt in for breakfast delivery service and a table cooking package.

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Premium and VIP apartments

There are two tiers of apartments to choose from at VNP, and both are close to the main promenade, shops, activities, and water park. They’re more modern than the cottages in terms of design, and each comes with their own balcony for you to relax on at the end of a long day. Both come with free Wi-Fi included. 

Premium apartments

These are set back slightly, behind VIP apartments, but still closer to the central area of VNP compared to cottages. These offer a bedding package, made up beds, a final cleaning, kitchen package, and a towel package. You can also add an optional baby sheet package, should you need it. 

Our VIP apartment was a duplex, which was great at night when the kids were asleep

VIP apartments

We stayed in a VIP apartment for the duration of our stay, and found the location perfect. These VIP apartments can be found directly on the promenade - above the below shops, restaurants and activities - and are just a short walk from the parking, the water park, lake activities, and supermarket. 

The view was lovely from our balcony, the interior modern and elegant, and we loved that we were close to our car, too. 

In a VIP apartment, you’ll get a bedding package, made up beds, and a final cleaning (much appreciated!), a kitchen package, and a towel package. We also had the option of picking our room as we booked through Center Parcs, and managed to get a room above the bowling alley. 

My top tip: I’d recommend taking your own pillows, still. While some are provided, they are small, rather flat square ones. Our kids were much more comfortable with their familiar pillows. 

Book your stay at Villages Nature Paris

How child-friendly is Villages Nature Paris? 

Very. Center Parcs across Europe are notoriously child-friendly and everything has been designed with families of all ages in mind. 

For Villages Nature Paris, this is certainly the case as the resort offers several activities like the Aqua Mundo water park, an outdoor adventure playground, interactive nature experiences, a bowling alley, minigolf, archery, a farm, as well as an arcade and multisports court. 

Beyond entertainment and activities, VNP’s accommodations are designed with families in mind, and guests can choose from spacious apartments and cottages. It’s also very safe - with security upon entering and leaving the park - and we never felt weary of our surroundings at any point.

(L) Les Délices de la Ferme restaurant and (R) inside BALUBA indoor play world

What activities are at Villages Nature Paris? 

There are several activities to enjoy as a family during a stay here. A lot are included in your booking, but others you have to pay extra for like workshops and specific tours. 

• Aqua Mundo water park and lagoon pool

• BALUBA indoor play world

• Action Factory

• Chocolate classes

• Tree trails

• Hammam massages (at the spa)

• Bread workshop

• Aqua bike, aqua slide,  aqua gym and aqua scooter

• Baby swimmers classes

• Pool parties

• Farm caretaker for a day

• Stuffed animals, honey, bee hotel and binoculars workshops (and more)

• Kids driving school and kids safari

• Kids high adventure

• Pony rides and farmhand for a day

• Electric and pedal boats

• Escape room

• Bowling

• GameTown

• Wine tasting

• Kids club (from 4 to 12 years old)

• Mini golf

• Multi-sports area

• Archery

• Silent disco, DJ night, quiz night and karaoke

• Spa

• Silent cinema

• Lakeside beach

• and a lot more…

Given the age of our two DC, we were unable to try out all activities on offer but our top three favourites included: 

Aqua Mundo water park

This large water park and lagoon complex is the main attraction at VNP, and has a dedicated baby pool that’s great for LOs. The water outside is also heated, so even with a slight chill in the air, we were very warm while swimming. Although, the are areas of the water park that could do with some TLC due to wear. 

BelleVie farm was a favourite attraction of ours

BelleVie Farm

Our kids are animal lovers, and we frequently visit farms at home. So, it was unsurprising that they absolutely loved spending time here. Our eldest had a pony ride and we saw lots of animals. There's a huge indoor soft play (that serves alcohol, in case you’re wondering), a restaurant as well as outdoor entertainment for kids on an evening. 

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Boating

we spent one afternoon riding around in our own motorised boat and were able to take in the views around the resort. So child-friendly that the boat itself could be driven by our two DCs.

Top tip: head to the Welcome House onsite to book your activities if you can't get the app to work. They're helpful, but do triple check you've been booked for the right thing at the right time...

How many restaurants are there?

There are seven places to visit for food and drink across the resort, which include: 

• Lagon Café, which is attached to the water park

• Bowling bar, attached to the bowling alley and serves drinks and tapas-like food

• Cépages, a wine bar and restaurant (our favourite place to eat, actually!)

• Les Délices de la Ferme, located within BelleVie Farm

• Suzette, a crêperie

• Miam Miam Burger, a great lunch spot (which closes early, unfortunately)

• Vapiano, an Italian restaurant that offers dine-in and takeaway options

You also have an onsite supermarket - a Franprix - and a bakery, called Chez Meunier Bakery. 

If you stay in a cottage, you can also take advantage of the park’s delivery service. Order breakfast, mains, and the equipment you need for dishes like fajitas or a raclette. 

You can also hire a BBQ from the Franprix supermarket, but it’s worth mentioning that there’s a deposit to pay and a charge if you don’t return it in a clean state. 

Vapiano is one dining option (but be warned, there are birds nesting in the tree inside)

What’s the food like at Villages Nature Paris? 

Since we stayed for 11 nights, we had a chance to try out most of the dining options at Villages Nature Paris. Specifically the bowling bar, Cépages, Les Délices de la Ferme, Miam Miam Burger, and Vapiano (both dine in and takeaway). 

Cépages was our favourite place to eat. The staff were incredibly friendly, helpful with the kids, the service was fast, and the food itself was delicious. The drinks, too! Closely followed by Les Délices de la Ferme at the farm as not only is it a lovely venue with great food, it’s attached to the huge indoor soft play. Very handy when the kids need to let off some steam following a meal.

(L) Enjoying our meal at Cépages and (R) inside the restaurant

Miam Miam Burger is a great spot for lunch, but it’s disappointing that this closes early in the afternoon. Which is a shame, as it’d be a great place for dinner, too. 

Vapiano was always busy, which is unsurprising given the lack of other evening meal options. The food was your standard Italian, and the service was helpful, although a little slow. 

Our worst dining experience was at the bowling alley. But this was largely because of the rather rude staff and not the food quality overall. We ordered drinks and hot dogs here, which were actually love. It’s just a shame that the staff ruined our time spent here overall. 

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Finally, for those nights we wanted to cook and eat in, we could find everything we needed at the onsite supermarket, Franprix. And for breakfast, we sometimes strolled to Chez Meunier Bakery for a fresh pastry and coffee. 

A few times we ventured out of the park for food, heading to Disney Village itself. It’s super handy if you have a car as it’s less than a 10 minute drive. 

My top tip: order your Vapiano takeaway ahead of time via the app so you don’t have to wait forever for your food. 

What is the pool like at Villages Nature Paris? 

Surprisingly huge. In fact, it’s one of Europe’s largest water parks and covers approximately 9,000 square meters. 

As this was our first stay here (and first Center Parcs experience), we were very happy with the water park despite it showing some signs of wear (particularly outside). With two littles, we were worried that the water would be too cold - but the pools are kept at a constant 30°C year-round. In the water park you’ll find a large wave pool, several water slides for various ages, a lazy river, and children’s play areas. 

Inside the Aqua Mundo water park

The structure itself is the main attraction of Villages Nature Paris, and has been built purposely to tie in with VNP’s sustainable ethos. 

The changing areas are incredibly family friendly. I was worried before visiting that I’d have to take care of both kids before and after visiting, but thankfully the one (very large) changing room has individual cubicles that are family-sized. So, you can all stay together without fear of losing one another. There are also lockers that are very easy to use, which can be unlocked using your VNP wristband. 

Top things to do for families at Villages Nature Paris, by age 

For toddlers and preschoolers (birth to five years old): 

1. BelleVie Farm: Petting zoo and farm activities

2. Splash areas in Aqua Mundo with shallow waters

3. Forest playground with age-appropriate equipment

4. Storytelling sessions and puppet shows

5. Mini gardening workshops

The animals are looked after very well at BelleVie Farm

For young children (six to nine years old):

1. Aqua Mundo water slides suitable for their age

2. Pony rides at BelleVie Farm

3. Tree climbing courses (with safety harnesses)

4. Art and craft workshops using natural materials

5. Bowling at Bowling Café

For tweens (10 to 12 years old): 

1. More adventurous water slides at Aqua Mundo

2. Aerial adventure course in the forest

3. Archery sessions

4. Bread-making workshops

5. Segway tours around the resort

Heading into the water park

For teens (aged 13 years old and above):

1. Stand-up paddleboarding on the lake

2. Rock climbing wall

3. Fitness classes and gym access

4. Escape room challenges

5. Evening entertainment and seasonal events

Activities for all ages:

1. Cycling around the resort (bike rentals available)

2. Nature walks and guided forest tours

3. Seasonal events and shows

4. Mini-golf

5. Indoor play areas during inclement weather

Family activities to enjoy together: 

1. Cooking classes using fresh, local ingredients

2. Eco-friendly workshops and nature conservation activities

3. Family yoga or meditation sessions

4. Board game nights at the accommodation

5. Outdoor cinema experiences (seasonal)

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What isn’t at Villages Nature Paris?

While Villages Nature Paris offers a wide range of activities and amenities, there are some things you won't find there, including:

• An indoor sports hall (for when the weather isn’t as great)

• Babysitting services available 

• An onsite gym

• Nightlife for adults

• Extensive shopping (there’s an onsite gift shop, but no other retail outlets)

• Direct beach access as it’s inland, there’s no sea beach

• Theme park rides

• Disney character meet-and-greets or dining experiences

There is a small lakeside beach but the sand is full of geese poo and you can't access the water

Is Villages Nature Paris accessible?

The park does make efforts to be accessible, but the level of accessibility does depend on your specific needs. 

In terms of accommodation, there are adapted lodgings available for guests with reduced mobility. Aqua Mundo itself is wheelchair accessible, and some pools have sloped entries or lifts. There are also adapted changing rooms and toilets here. 

Many paths across the resort are designed to be wheelchair-friendly, although some of the nature trails may be more challenging. The farm is mostly accessible, with the exception of some activities. Restaurants and shops are generally accessible with level or ramped entrances. 

In terms of transport, there are parking spaces available for disabled badge holders and electric buggies are available to hire for onsite transportation. 

My top tip: as it’s mainly accessible, you won’t have any problems pushing a pram around the resort but do take care if you wander into nature or go off road. 

Is Villages Nature Paris pet friendly? 

Yes, we saw plenty of dogs with their families during our stay. If you wish to take your pet along with you, you must declare this at the time of booking and you’ll be charged a supplement fee. I understand that this is around €25 per pet, per stay (maximum of two pets allowed per booking). 

Does Villages Nature Paris feel safe after dark? 

As we were staying in a VIP apartment, we were right above the promenade and so all places were well lit throughout the night. I can’t, however, vouch for how well the rest of the resort is lit where the cottages are, for example. Although, the main areas, pathways, and accommodations are all well-lit. 

The resort felt safe after dark when coming home from Disneyland Paris

In terms of security, VNP employ security personnel who patrol the resort. It’s also a contained, gated community with controlled access - so entry is limited to guests and authorised personnel only. 

Finally, as there isn’t a party scene, the overall feeling of your stay here will be quieter, ergo giving a safer feeling. 

Of course, as with any location, basic precautions are still advisable - especially when travelling with kids. 

Is there wifi access at Villages Nature Paris? 

Yes, free Wi-Fi is widely available across the resort and in all accommodation types. 

The onsite laundry facilities are very handy, easy to use and have English instructions

What to pack for Villages Nature Paris

I’ll admit, I overpacked for our stay here. In fact, I could have probably taken just half of what we did take thanks to the onsite laundry facilities. 

When packing for your stay here, I’d consider the following: 

1. Comfortable, casual clothes for day-to-day activities

2. Swimwear and cover-ups

3. Comfortable walking shoes

4. Light layers for varied weather

5. Rain-jacket or umbrella (weather dependent)

6. Beach towels, although these can be hired for €5 per towel

7. Sun protection (hats, sunglasses, sunscreen)

8. Insect repellent

9. Board games or cards for family nights

10. Any medication you might need

11. Basic first-aid kits

12. Chargers and adapters (and lots of them!) 

13. Reusable shopping bag for trips to the supermarket

14. Baby essentials like nappies, food, formula

15. Pram and/or baby carrier

The resort’s supermarket, Franprix, does offer the basics - but they are more expensive than bringing items from home. Also, every time we visited there was a lengthy queue. We found travelling to the nearby Val d’Europe and visiting Auchan to be cheaper overall and much less stressful for a food shop for the four of us. 

Val d'Europe is a short drive away

Also, before going, it’s best to double check what’s provided in your accommodation. In our VIP apartment we were supposed to have a toaster, which wasn’t there when we arrived. Thankfully they were quick to rectify this. We did however have a small cleaning kit, a vacuum, clothes airer, a safe, a kettle and a coffee machine. 

From Auchan we bought the following for our stay:

1. Bin bags

2. Washing up liquid

3. Dishwasher tablets

4. Coffee/tea and a small bag of sugar

5. Butter, milk and bread

6. Other microwaveable meals 

My top tip: take a laptop, tablet or even your Amazon Fire stick with you otherwise you’ll be restricted to only a couple of English-speaking news channels on the TV. 

Getting to Disneyland Paris from Villages Nature Paris 

Villages Nature Paris to Disneyland Paris by car

If you’re heading to VNP in your own car (or hiring one), then getting to Disneyland Paris is very easy. We managed to get to and from the parks in less than 10 minutes every time; however, we did visit during off-season, so I’d expect this to stretch closer to 15 minutes when it’s busier. 

Parking is available at Disneyland Paris itself (€30 per day if you don’t have it included in your Disney booking) or you can park at Parking Indigo Chessy Disney Village (approx. €24 per day). As we booked VNP directly, we did indeed have to pay for Disney’s own parking. So actually, for us, we found that the Indigo multi-storey car park was much easier and cheaper.

Villages Nature Paris to Disneyland Paris by shuttle bus

Otherwise, if you’re car-less, there is a free shuttle bus service from VNP to Disneyland Paris, which takes approximately 20 minutes. Buses run frequently throughout the day, and it’s best to check at information about the current schedule. 

Depending on where you’re staying at VNP, though, means you could be faced with a lengthy walk to the shuttle bus stop, which is something to bear in mind. Not too bad when you’re headed to Disneyland Paris, but not what you need at the end of a long day. 

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Villages Nature Paris to Disneyland Paris by taxi

Like the UK, Uber is easily accessible in Paris and close to Disneyland Paris. And so, taxis can be booked from VNP should you need one. Typically quicker than a shuttle bus, but expect to pay around €12 each way. While it’s more expensive than the shuttle bus or driving yourself, it might be a welcomed option at the end of a long Disney day when your feet are tired and the kids are screaming. 

Disneyland Paris is a short drive away with easy parking options

Villages Nature Paris to Disneyland Paris by public transport

Local public buses connect the area very well, but they may be less convenient than the VNP resort shuttle. Plus, you may need to change buses at Val d’Europe to reach Disneyland Paris. 

Villages Nature Paris to Disneyland Paris by bicycle

For the more adventurous folks, it is actually possible to cycle between VNP and Disneyland Paris. There are rental services available at VNP, and the route will take you up to 30 minutes (at least six kilometers). What you’ll do with your bike when you get to Disneyland Paris, I’m not sure, but I can imagine Disney’s Guest Relations will be able to guide you in the right direction. Although, a quick Google, and it seems there is space to padlock your bike close to the Indigo multi-storey carpark or near the World of Disney store itself.

Getting to Paris from Villages Nature Paris

The easiest way to get to Paris from the park is by train, which is what we did. 

You have two options: 

• Marne-la-Vallée - Chessy station (where Disneyland Paris is located), then take the RER A train directly to central Paris

• Or get on the same RER A train at the next station at Val d’Europe 

The latter was the easiest option for us on the day, as there’s ample (and free!) parking at Val d’Europe. Whereas at the DLP station, you’d need to pay for parking at the multi-storey Indigo car park. 

On the train to Paris

But regardless of which station you get on at, both journeys will take you between 40 and 60 minutes to get into Paris depending on the time of day you travel. Trains run regularly, typically every 10 or 15 minutes. 

I’d suggest driving or getting a taxi, but honestly, I’d avoid this as much as possible as it’s expensive and the roads are quite stressful the closer you get to Paris. Not forgetting with your own car, you’ll need a Crit Air anti-pollution sticker way ahead of time before driving into Paris. 

Aboard the 'big red bus' to see 'the big tower'

My top tip: If travelling to Paris with little ones, I'd recommend booking a hop-on, hop-off bus in advance. We were able to see all the sights without tiring the kids out.

What Mumsnet users say about Les Villages Nature Paris

“The overall look and set up is pretty much the same as CP at home - easy to check in, arrive any time, park up and use all facilities until your lodge/apartment is available… When you book, download the CP app and everything is managed / booked from there.” adventuresinsoloparenting

“The Centre Parcs itself was great - the swimming pool was amazing so we went to that every day for ages. Quite nice restaurants and shops and things. We didn't try any activities.” ItsDangerousInKingsmarkham

“Overall comments: if you only have a baby with you then you'll have a pram but if you have older kids too, try and take the kids scooters. They are a godsend for zipping around. It is very flat in the park except the slope up to the fantastic swimming pool (we swam every day except Disney days).” GoneBeserk

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she commissions, writes, and edits to bring parents content designed to make life easier. As a mum of two herself, she knows all too well how difficult travelling with kids can be. Whether it’s within the UK or abroad, she’s on a quest to find only the best and most family-friendly locations, with the help of Mumsnet user recommendations. 

Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog up and down country lanes.

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