France Miniature can be easily visited on a half-day or full-day trip from Paris by either going on your own if you have a car—or booking a tour from the city—which provides you with admission and a driver so you don’t have to worry about how to get there.
Upon arrival, visitors wander through the site to study replicas of the Eiffel Tower, Château de Versailles, Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, St-Tropez, Mont St-Michel, Chartres Cathedral, the Basilica Notre-Dame of Lourdes, and more. A playground and an adventure park with kid-friendly rides and other activities can also be enjoyed.
France Miniature is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southwest of Paris in Elancourt, just past Versailles. There is a fee-based parking lot. Public transport takes much longer, but is possible via the U train line to La Verrière stop, followed by a local bus.
The park is open seasonally in the spring, summer, and fall; opening days and hours vary depending on the month but it’s generally open from late morning to early or mid-evening.
The roughly 50 models at France Miniature represent the country’s various regions with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ports, and villages. The goal is to showcase monuments linked to French traditions, history, and culture. After a core made of plastic, the architectural details such as gargoyles and window shutters are put on with resin, followed by paint for the final touches.
