Miniature France

BP Chuck, I am afraid I am familiar only with the HO gauge having had such a layout in past years. I can only add that the gauge was one of the "larger" ones. The engines (locomotives) were about 12-18 inches long and the cars a little shorter than that, if this helps at all.

All buildings depicted exteriors only. I don't know the scale of the entire project but, to give you a feel for the size, if I were to stand next to one of the cathedrals - for example - it would rise about level with my waistline. "People" appearing in some of the displays such as Chateau de Versailles were approximately 6 inches tall.

To me one of the most charming features was the fact that all vegetation was (is) trimmed to approximately the same scale which blends beautifully in with the buildings and more or less screens one display from the one next to it.

Sorry to be so late with this reply. Best regards, Alex

Stansen, sounds interesting. I just wonder, when you talk about the Lionel Trains, I am not shure if you realize it, the come in different sizes, like 0 and 00 guage trains (and I think one or two more sizes) , which are considerably different from each other. By any chance do you know which size the miniatures are? Also (again I presume) that only the outside of the buildings are displayed?

BP Chuck

I saw a theme park of miniature attractions near Blois that sounded exactly like what is being discussed here. I was mildly charmed at the idea but decided not to skimp on my time at Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, etc. to tarry at this site. Easy choice as I had no rugrats in tow. Anyone else seen this plaace?

Thanks, Alex.

Looks like a fun place, indeed. We do have the same here in and for Switzerland, near Lugano in the Italian part. It's a top destination for school children (who supposedly always should take informative trips. I bet, it's similar for the French kids.

Just googled for the park's web site and here it is:
http://www.franceminiature.com/anglais/index.htm

Just returned from a month in Paris where a friend introduced us to a site we didn't even know existed called Miniature France. It is a theme park just a little past St.Quentin en Yvelines and we found it charming. There are about 50 acres with many of the best known monuments, castles, palaces, fortresses etc, etc throughout France all scaled down to where they are compatible with the Lionel (toy) trains of which there are many running around. Likewise there are minituarized boats running in circles on water ponds. There is even a miniature St.Tropez. Needless to say one can find the classics such as Versailles, Arc de Triomphe, La Tour Eiffel, and so on. Even the trees throughout the area have been "bonsai-ed" so that even they are scaled to a comparative size. We found it charming for children of all ages (including ours: 80's)

If you are still young at heart try it. You'll like it! Cheers, Alex