Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

France Miniature is a miniature park located in Élancourt, Yvelines, Île-de-France. Inaugurated in May 1991, it presents 117 monuments and French sites reproduced at the scale 1/30e on a space of five hectares arranged in the form of a map of France. The park includes basins representing the seas and oceans bordering Hexagon, as well as a reproduction of Corsica, although its distance does not respect the scale. Miniature tracks run through the estate, with trains reproducing SNCF equipment such as TGV or Corail trains.

The concept of France Miniature is directly inspired by Madurodam Park in the Netherlands, which represents this country in miniatures. Its origin dates back to a collaboration between Alain Pelras, BTP engineer passionate about miniature trains, and Thierry Coltier, specialist in studies on leisure parks and also passionate about miniatures. Since its opening in 1991, the park has attracted 360,000 visitors, a figure that has grown to nearly 300,000 in 1996.

Since 2004, France Miniature has been offering an attraction area dedicated to young children, designed by the German company Heege Freizeittechnik. The scenography of this area was designed by Jean-Marc Toussaint. The park thus combines an educational dimension, with the discovery of French monuments, and a playful dimension, thanks to its attractions and miniature trains circulating among the reproductions.

The 117 monuments and sites reproduced cover a variety of emblematic places in France, organized geographically on the map. The park features historic, modern buildings and landscapes, providing a miniature view of the national heritage. The basins and tracks add a dynamic dimension to the visit, while the details of the models reflect a work of precision to remain faithful to the originals.

External links