| France Pavilion | |
| Imagedimensions: | 250px |
| Location: | Epcot |
| Section: | World Showcase |
| Status: | Open |
| Opened: | October 1, 1982 |
| Coordinates: | 28.3689°N -81.5528°W |
| Type: | Themed Pavilion |
| Theme: | Paris, France |
The France Pavilion is a French-themed pavilion that is part of the World Showcase within Epcot at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida. Its location is between the Morocco and United Kingdom pavilions.
The France Pavilion is themed to look like a Parisienne neighborhood with a pool and fountains and with a view of the Eiffel Tower in the distance. Most of the shops on the streets are actual shops selling French goods such as Guerlain perfume. The attraction effects France's cities and historical structures. It also includes two French restaurants, Monsieur Paul (formerly the Bistro de Paris) and Les Chefs de France; as well as the eateries Les Halles Boulangerie and Patisserie and L'artisan des Glace ice-cream parlour.
As with many of the pavilions located within the World Showcase section of the Epcot park, a key aspect of the France Pavilion is its panoramic film Impressions de France. The film, which has been playing since the opening day of the Epcot park in 1982, offers a visual tour of the nation, set against a musical score written by Buddy Baker, encompassing the music of classical French composers such as Claude Debussy and Camille Saint-Saëns.[1] The film itself is the work of director Rick Harper[2] and produced by two-time Academy Award nominee Bob Rogers.[2] The film's visual tour includes some of the nation's most stunning and romantic landmarks such as the cliffs of Étretat in the Haute-Normandie region, Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley, Notre Dame de Paris and the Eiffel Tower.[3]
In addition to Impressions de France, which is set to became part of Palais du Cinéma, the France Pavilion is also one of the many themed land participants in the "Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure". This interactive scavenger hunt type attraction, which began in January 2009, was played across the numerous themed lands of Epcot's "World Showcase". It was replaced by "Agent P's World Showcase Adventure" in June 2012. On July 15, 2017, Disney announced that Remy's Ratatouille Adventure would be coming to the France Pavilion.
On January 16, 2020, a Beauty and the Beast sing-along show premiered in Palais du Cinéma, which alternates showtimes with Impressions de France. On December 12, 2022, EPCOT announced that the France Pavilion would participate in DuckTales World Showcase Adventure beginning on December 16; the opening date had been postponed since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Belle, from the 1991 Disney animated film Beauty and the Beast, and Aurora, from the 1959 Disney animated film Sleeping Beauty, meet guests at the France Pavilion.[4] In addition, the comedy chair climbing and balancing show "Serveur Amusant" performs on a daily basis outside Les Chefs de France. Also, adding to the themed land's atmosphere, are advertisements for Disneyland Paris and souvenirs featuring it.