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The food

Image: DisneyOh, baby. When you’re hungry, the France Pavilion is the place to go. There’s a reason why the world’s finest chefs flock to France to learn how to cook. French food is viewed as the ultimate in haute cuisine, and Disney stocks the pavilion with so many delicious options.

Image: DisneyLet’s start with the lightest fare, L'Artisan des Glaces. You don’t need a translator to know that’s an ice cream treat. Specifically, it’s the finest artisanal ice cream available at Walt Disney World. You’ll definitely want to try some. At Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie, French sweets are on the menu, but they also serve baguettes and light entrees like Croque Monsieur and Bisque de Homard.

Image: DisneyThe France Pavilion has two primary sit-down restaurants.  Choosing the best one is a matter of personal preference, but each is among the highest ranked at Epcot. Chefs de France is the Table Service restaurant, which is to say that it’s the cheaper (!) option. That’s a scary thought since entrees here are generally $30 or more.

Still, you get what you pay for: a realistic French dining experience. I mean the utmost in realism. Many of the waiters here are even un-Disney-like in their snooty behavior, which is annoying but adds to the theming. Also, the food is worth the aggravation. The cheeseboard here is probably my favorite at Walt Disney World and the Beef Bourguignon is divine.

Image: DisneyI’m actually a huge fan of Chefs de France, which makes the following statement more meaningful. The BEST restaurant at the France Pavilion is Monsieur Paul, and everyone knows it. Named after legendary French chef, Paul Bocuse, the menu here is one befitting his name. Bocuse invented the Bocuse d’Or, the cooking equivalent of the World Cup. He is possibly the most accredited living chef, and his son has overseen daily operations of this restaurant since it opened. You won’t find a more authentic French meal in North America, and I include Eric Ripert’s restaurants in that.

Monsieur Paul is a celebratory meal staple for Disney guests, and its prices reflect that fact. It is a Signature Dining experience, meaning that it costs two Table Service credits per person on the Disney dining plan. The Pre Fixe Menu is $89, which tells the tale. You’ll eat here on special occasions or when you want to impress a date. It even has a dress code to ensure that the experience is elegant and refined. This restaurant should be on your Disney dining bucket list due to the quality of the food and the ambience of the establishment. It’s one of the best overall meals at Walt Disney World.

The wine

Image: DisneyDo you love wine? Then, the name you need to know is La Maison du Vin. Frequent Epcot visitors are nodding their heads emphatically right now. The reputation of this store is among the best at Walt Disney World. Frankly, only the Italy Pavilion has wines on a par with what you’ll find here.

La Maison du Vin is an odd business by Epcot standards. It’s more of a retailer than a wine bar. You can purchase several authentic French wines by the bottle to pack up for your trip home. You can also buy wine glasses along with barware and kitchenware. You can also order wine by the glass for those occasions when you don’t want to wait until you get home. The store also frequently hosts wine tastings.

The attraction

Image: DisneyIn recent years, fans of the World Showcase have generally ignored the movies available at the various pavilions. Impressions de France should be the exception to that rule.  When you can’t actually visit France, this film is the serviceable substitute. You’ll enjoy unprecedented views of the French Alps, the Eiffel Tower, and Versailles. It’s also much less of a travelogue than the others at Epcot. Several noted Disney writers and analysts view it as the best of the Circle-Vision films. Even if you ignore the others, take the time to watch Impressions de France.

 
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