Universal Studios Paris

, located in and  near, is one of the Universal Studios theme parks, owned and operated by Parcs Universal France S.A., a joint-venture of  and. The park is similar in layout to Universal Studios Florida and contains selected attractions from both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood, in addition to a small number of unique attractions. It was the second Universal Studios park in Europe (the first was and it's  resort, which Universal owned from 1998-2004), but was the first built in Europe, owing to the previously-mentioned PortAventura having been acquired instead of owned by Universal from the start. It is situated approximately 46.9 km (52 minutes) from Paris, 85.4 km (59 minutes) from and 66.8 km (46 minutes) from it's sister park. It is the country's third-biggest theme park behind Parc Astérix and Disneyland Paris.

History
The park was announced in 1997. Construction began a year later in December 1998. The ad campaigns began in 2002. The park opened on August 20, 2003 (a promotional special, Anything Can Happen: Welcome to Universal Studios Paris, was produced to promote the park's opening).

In an effort to avoid cultural friction similar to what happened when Euro Disney Resort (now ) opened several years earlier, Universal took efforts to make the park reflect French sensibilities. While French is the park's lingua franca, all signage is bilingual, with French text displayed alongside English text (though the French text tends to be larger). To reflect the various countries where parkgoers come from, park employees are trained to speak not only French and English, but also Spanish, German, Dutch, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish, Norwegian, Russian, Serbo-Croatian and Turkish.

Over 25 million guests visited the park in 2005. Since then, Universal Studios Paris has had approximately 8 million visitors every year. Most visitors are French & Belgian tourists and tourists from other European countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Russia and Switzerland. It is also very popular among Québécois and Francophone tourists from Canada, as well as American tourists and expatriates. In 2007, 's became the largest shareholder in Universal Studios Paris. In 2011, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a themed area based on the blockbuster Harry Potter film series, opened to the public.

Various events were held in 2013 to celebrate the park's 10th anniversary, by which time a total of 85 million guests had cumulatively attended the park.

Recent events include limited-time attractions such as " - Vivre!" and " - Vivre!", both based on popular French-language properties. In 2019, characters from The Dreamstone began meeting and greeting within the park to mark the 30th anniversary of the series.

On March 14, 2020, Universal announced a temporary closure starting March 15 to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 15, the park reopened under strict rules that included, but was not limited to, social distancing, reduced capacity, temperature screenings, and mandatory face masks.

Licensed properties included at Universal Studios Paris
Like other Universal parks, Universal Studios Paris does not limit itself to attractions based on Universal's owned-library. It has licensed other franchises from different studios, especially European creations, for many of the attractions. Some examples include:
 * Spider-Man
 * Terminator and Paddington Bear
 * The Smurfs and Johan and Peewit (IMPS S.A. Brussels)
 * Sesame Street, 5, Rue Sésame and The Furchester Hotel
 * Dragon Tales
 * Ghostbusters
 * Beetlejuice and Harry Potter
 * Care Bears and The Get Along Gang
 * Tintin
 * The Grand Tour
 * Rupert Bear
 * Horrid Henry
 * Postman Pat and Noddy 
 * Warrior Cats
 * properties
 * The Dreamstone (Monster Entertainment)
 * The Simpsons
 * Toad Patrol, Mole Miner and Between The Lions (Seagrounds Financial Group)
 * Horrible Histories
 * One Piece and Dragon Ball
 * Blazing Dragons
 * Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir
 * Taxi
 * Sailor Moon
 * Doctor Who and Top Gear
 * Danger Mouse and Count Duckula
 * Watership Down ( Estate, Latikuu Edacra)
 * Spitting Image
 * Lord of the Rings
 * Asterix, Lucky Luke, Babar and Code Lyoko
 * Transformers, Power Rangers and My Little Pony
 * Barney & Friends, Thomas & Friends, Angelina Ballerina and Bob the Builder
 * Sagwa the Chinese Siamese Cat
 * SpongeBob SquarePants
 * Redwall (, Latikuu Edacra)

Hollywood
Themed to
 * Back to the Future: The Ride (Retour vers le futur: Le journée) [Simulator Ride, opened on Opening Day 2003]
 * Beetlejuice's Rock and Roll Graveyard Revue (Revue Rock 'n Roll du Cimetière avec Beetlejuice) [Show]
 * Commercialism! with Stan Freberg [Show]
 * Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit [Maurer Söhne X-Coaster, opened in 2013]
 * Lights! Camera! Action! Hosted by Steven Spielberg (Lumières! Caméra! Action! avec Steven Spielberg) [Show]
 * Shrek 4-D [4D Theatre]
 * Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic (5, Rue Sésame - Magie du Cinéma en 4D) [4D Theatre]

New York City
Themed to
 * The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man (Les Aventures Incroyable de L'Homme Araignée) [Dark Ride, opened on Opening Day 2003]
 * T2-3D: Battle Across Time (T2-3D: La bataille à travers le temps) [3D Theatre]
 * King Kong Encounter (Rencontre avec King Kong) [Experience]

San Francisco

 * Backdraft (Backdraft - Pompiers en alerte) [Experience]

Britannia
Themed to the and.
 * Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride (La Revanche de La Momie: Le journée) [Premier Rides Enclosed Roller Coaster, opened in 2010]

Minion Park

 * Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (Moi, moche et méchant: Chaos de Les Minions) [4D Theatre]
 * Freeze Ray Sliders [Gerstlauer Spinning Coaster, opened in 2019]

Amity Village
Inspired by Steven Spielberg's Jaws.
 * Jaws (Les Dents de la mer) [Boat Ride, opened September 2003 after delays]

Universal Kidzone
A section aimed at children and families with some themed sub-zones.

Kidzone Central

 * E.T. Adventure (L'aventure d'E.T) [Dark Ride, opened on Opening Day 2003]
 * Fievel's Playland (Le terrain de jeu de Fievel) [Playground, opened on Opening Day 2003]
 * Firestar's Challenge [Vekoma SLC, opened in 2017]
 * Horrid Henry's Rickety 'Ol Coaster [Gravity Group Family Wooden Coaster, opened in 2015]
 * Kidzone Theater [Shows, a multi-purpose theater that opened on Opening Day 2003]
 * Warriors Woods [Experience]

Downtown Kidzone

 * A Day in the Park with Barney (Une journée dans le parc avec Barney) [Show, opened on Opening Day 2003]
 * Curious George's Great Adventures (Les aventures de Georges) [Dark ride, opened on Opening Day 2003]
 * Mattel Play! Town Paris [Experience]
 * Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Flyers  (Les avions d'coquille de Piko) [Vekoma SFC, opened on Opening Day 2003]

Thomas Town

 * Blue Mountain Mine Carts [Vekoma Mine Train Coaster 785m, opened in 2015]
 * Duncan's Wild Ride [Sansei Yusoki Junior Coaster; opened on Opening Day 2003; identical installation to Rock 'N Roll Duncan in the Thomas Land of ]
 * Thomas' Sodor Sightseeing Trip [Zamperla Custom Train Ride with animatronics by Fuse Special Effects; opened on Opening Day 2003]
 * Troublesome Trucks [Gerstlauer Junior Coaster, opened in 2011]

Postman Pat Village

 * Mrs Goggins' Post Office [Experience, opened on Opening Day 2003]
 * SDS Mail Centre [Experience, opened in 2011]

Sesame Street

 * Abby's Magical Tree (Arbre magique d'Abby) [Experience, opened on Opening Day 2003]
 * Abby's Magical Garden (Jardin magique d'Abby) [Experience, opened on Opening Day 2003]
 * Big Bird's Nest (Le nid d'Oiseau Géant) [Experience, opened on Opening Day 2003]
 * Elmo's Bubble Bath (Bain moussant d'Elmo) [Experience, opened on Opening Day 2003]
 * The Furchester Hotel Live! (L'Hôtel Furchester - Vivre!) [Show]
 * Nac's TV Studio (Studio de TéLé Nac) [Experience]
 * Vapor Trail (Sentier de vapeur) [Vekoma Custom Junior Coaster, opened on Opening Day 2003]

Dragon Land

 * Cassie's Fun Wheel (Grande roue d'Cassie) [Zamperla Mini Ferris Wheel, opened on Opening Day 2003]
 * Ord's Playground (Aire de jeux d'Ord) [Playground, opened on Opening Day 2003]
 * Zak and Wheezie's Dragon Chasers (Circulaires de Jacques et Wheezie) [Zamperla Flying Tigers with Dragons, opened on Opening Day 2003]

Sagwa's Chinatown

 * Sagwa's Rickshaw Run (Course Rickshaw d'Sagwa) [Zamperla Custom Looping Coaster, opened on Opening Day 2003]

Redwall Abbey

 * Redwall Adventure (Rougemuraille: Une aventure d'enfer) [Dark Ride, opened on Opening Day 2003]
 * Sparra Chase (Chasse d'Moineau) [Vekoma Stingray, opened in 2010]

WaterWorld
Based on Universal's 1995 film of the same name.
 * Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular (Waterworld: Un monde sans terre) [Show, opened on Opening Day 2003]

Top Gear Testing Grounds (Ambitious but Rubbish... and Fun)

 * Caravan Crashers (Casseurs de caravane) [Experience, opened in 2012]
 * Oliver!!! [Zamperla Convoy with Opel Kadett A's, opened in 2012]
 * Stig Training Facility (Centre de formation pour Stigs) [Zamperla U-Drive with Sportscars, opened in 2012]
 * Top Gear Test Track (Le circuit d'essai de Top Gear) [Experience, opened in 2012]

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

 * Dragon Challenge (Le défi du dragon) [B&M Dueling Inverted Coasters, opened in 2011]
 * Flight of the Hippogriff (Vol de l'hippogriffe) [Vekoma Junior Coaster 335m, opened in 2011]
 * Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (Harry Potter et le voyage interdit) [Dark Ride, opened in 2011]

Springfield

 * The Simpsons Ride [Motion Simulator, opened 2008]

Characters
Much like with the previous Universal parks, USP has characters both from Universal and third-party companies. USP has the French license to use the Sesame Street, Redwall, and The Smurfs characters, alongside many others.

Sesame Street

 * Elmo
 * Zoe
 * Cookie Monster
 * Bert
 * Ernie
 * Grover/Super Grover
 * Big Bird
 * Count von Count
 * Oscar the Grouch
 * Abby Cadabby
 * Baby Bear
 * Telly Monster
 * Grundgetta (Rarely)
 * Rosita
 * Julia
 * Nac (from 5, Rue Sésame)
 * Yoyo (from 5, Rue Sésame)
 * Olive (from 5, Rue Sésame)
 * Georges (from 5, Rue Sésame)
 * Basil (from Sesame Port)
 * Louis (from Sesame Port)
 * Chaos (from Sesame Port)
 * Pino (from Sesamstraat) (Rarely)
 * Tommie (from Sesamstraat) (Rarely)
 * Ieniemienie (from Sesamstraat) (Rarely)
 * Purk (from Sesamstraat) (Rarely)
 * Dikkie Dik (from Sesamstraat) (Rarely)
 * Samson (from Sesamstraße) (Rarely)
 * Rumpel (from Sesamstraße) (Rarely)
 * Tiffy (from Sesamstraße) (Rarely)
 * Feli Filu (from Sesamstraße) (Rarely)
 * Finchen (from Sesamstraße) (Rarely)
 * Pferd (from Sesamstraße) (Rarely)
 * Wolle (from Sesamstraße) (Rarely)
 * Dionigi (from Strada Sesamo) (Rarely)
 * Abla (from Strada Sesamo) (Rarely)
 * Lily (from Zhima Jie: Da Niao Kan Shijie) (Rarely)

Redwall

 * Matthias
 * Cornflower
 * Basil Stag Hare
 * Constance
 * Winifred the Otter
 * Jess Squirrel
 * Foremole
 * Orlando the Axe
 * Warbeak Sparra
 * Cheek Stag Otter
 * Adult Mattimeo
 * Adult Tess Churchmouse
 * Young Mattimeo (Rarely)
 * Young Tess Churchmouse (Rarely)
 * Martin the Warrior (Rarely)
 * Rose (Rarely)
 * Cluny the Scourge (Rarely)
 * Slagar the Cruel (Rarely)
 * Badrang the Tyrant (Rarely)

The Smurfs

 * Papa Smurf
 * Smurfette
 * Hefty Smurf
 * Grouchy Smurf
 * Brainy Smurf

Watership Down

 * Hazel
 * Fiver
 * Bigwig
 * Blackberry
 * Dandelion
 * Pipkin
 * Hawkbit
 * Captain Holly
 * Primrose
 * Kehaar
 * Hannah

Barney & Friends

 * Barney
 * Baby Bop
 * BJ
 * Riff

Dragon Tales

 * Ord
 * Cassie
 * Zak & Wheezie

Sagwa the Chinese Siamese Cat

 * Sagwa Miao
 * Dongwa Miao
 * Sheegwa Miao
 * Fu-Fu
 * Baba Miao (Rarely)
 * Mama Miao (Rarely)
 * Nai-Nai Miao (Rarely)
 * Yeh-Yeh Miao (Rarely)

The Dreamstone

 * Rufus
 * Amberely
 * Pildit
 * Wildit
 * Spildit
 * The Dream Maker
 * Zordrak
 * Urpgor
 * Blob
 * Frizz
 * Nug

Others

 * Woody and Winnie Woodpecker
 * Chilly Willy
 * Optimus Prime (Transformers)
 * Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash (My Little Pony)
 * SpongeBob SquarePants
 * Shrek, Donkey and Princess Fiona
 * Count Duckula, Igor and Nanny (Count Duckula)
 * Danger Mouse
 * Darren, Janin, Vernon, Harry, Georgie, Roddy, Sharon, Thom, Rochester, Clarissa, Sammy, Specs and Mango (Mole Miner)
 * Rupert, Bill Badger, Podgy Pig, Pong-Ping, and Ottoline Otter (Rupert Bear)
 * Tintin and Captain Haddock (Tintin)
 * Firestar (Warrior Cats)
 * Alpha-5 (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers)
 * Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart, and Maggie Simpson (The Simpsons)
 * Theo Lion, Cleo Lion, Lionel Lion, and Leona Lion (Between the Lions)
 * Bob the Builder
 * Iznogoud
 * Asterix and Obelix (Asterix)
 * Po and Tigress (Kung Fu Panda)
 * Sailor Moon
 * Spider-Man
 * The Stig (Top Gear)
 * Goku and Vegeta (Dragon Ball)
 * Postman Pat
 * Marty, Alex, King Julien, Maurice, Gloria, Mort, Skipper, and Rico (Madagascar)
 * Sir Topham Hatt (Thomas & Friends)
 * Angelina Mouseling and Alice Nimbletoes (Angelina Ballerina)
 * Gollum (Lord of the Rings)
 * Ghostbusters
 * E.B, Mr. Bunny, Carlos, Phil, and the Pink Berets (Hop)

Map
https://www.scribblemaps.com/create/#/id=Gp3nLbLh_Y&lat=49.04677121&lng=1.91201415&z=14&t=hybrid

Trivia

 * The park has some of the licenses owned by Carwardine Parks in the US.
 * The Redwall license (and a few other Latikuu licenses) can only be used in parks within mainland Europe, due to Sambaland and Caisleán Ó Scannail Theme Park.
 * Several of the anime licenses can be used by Universal across Europe, notably Sailor Moon, which was only given to the American and Canadian Carwardine Parks (all 50 US states, all continental Canadian provinces/territories/D.C./Guam/U.S. Virgin Islands/Puerto Rico/American Samoa).
 * The original winged Rosita walkaround is still used on occasion if the non-winged Rosita walkaround is out for repairs.
 * The walkarounds for Hannah (Watership Down) was designed by Fuse Special Effects and Latikuu Edacra to be small enough that Universal hires performers who are 4-5 feet tall to perform her. As such, performers have included Ukrainian mime and little people entertainment agent Mykhailo Samoilenko. A similar case applies for Finchen (Sesamstrasse), Purk (Sesamstraat), Chaos (Sesame Port), and Gollum (The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit), who's walkarounds were designed to be worn by 4-5 foot tall performers.