Changes

While the France pavilion was also going to be a part of World Showcase, the pavilion’s design and layout changed many timesthroughout its development. Early designs of the pavilion show that theater which would eventually house [[Impressions de France]] was at one time going to be round <ref name= "Crawford"> http://progresscityusa.com/2010/04/15/elseworlds-epcot-centers-french-circlevision/ </ref>. This design suggests that Imagineers may have originally intended the film to be a CircleVision 360 film, although this in unconfirmed. According Richard Beard’s book, Walt Disney’s EPCOT: Creating the New World of Tomorrow <ref> Walt Disney's EPCOT: creating the new world of tomorrowRichard Beard - Walt Disney - H.N. Abrams - 1982 </ref>, the pavilion's layout changed was altered drastically before it was built:

At one time plans for the pavilion also called for the creation of an animated map. Guests would be able to push a button on the map to learn about what was happening in the countries’ France's various regions including: the coasts of Normandy and Brittany, the skiing areas, the Riviera, and the wine country <ref name= "Crawford"/>. Another unused plan for the France pavilion called for an Exposition Hall based on Les Halles in Paris. The hall would have showed displays of France's provincial regions, as well as an information center <ref name= "Martin"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=121 </ref>.

[[Image:Francepavilion.jpg|350px400px|thumb|Concept Art for the France Pavilion, showing the Palais du Cinema as round.]]The France pavilion opened with the rest of World Showcase on October 1, 1982 <ref name= "day"> http://thisdayindisneyhistory.homestead.com/epcotgrandopening.html </ref>. The pavilion is themed to look like Paris between the years 1871–1914, which is known as La Belle Époque (The Beautiful Age) in France <ref name= "Martin"/>. The back of the pavilion incorporates the small towns and provinces in France, in the form of “Le Petite Rue” a small, quaint street. One way that guests can enter the pavilion is by crossing a metal bridge. The bridge is based on the Point des Arts (the first metal bridge in Paris) and the waterway that it crosses is meant to represent the Seine River <ref name= "Spence"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2011/09/epcots_france_pavilion_part_on.html </ref>. The front pavilion is themed to look like Paris between the years 1871–1914, which is known as La Belle Époque (The Beautiful Age) in France <ref name= "Martin"/>. The back of the pavilion on the other hand incorporates the small towns and provinces in France, in the form of “Le Petite Rue” a small, quaint street. The focal point of the pavilion is a re-creation of the Eiffel Tower, which was built at approximately 1/10 scale of the original <ref name= "Spence"/>. Also of note is a park based on “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island La Grande Jatte” by the French artist Georges Seura <ref name= "Spence"/>. Although the park is pleasant to look at, it is not accessible to guests.

When the France pavilion originally opened, it featured two table service restaurants: [[Les Chefs de France]], and Au Petit Café. Both restaurants proved to be extremely popular, and due to demand the [[Bistro de Paris ]] was built in 1984 <ref> https://d23.com/a-to-z/bistro-de-paris/ </ref>. This new table service restaurant was constructed on the second floor of the Les Chefs de France restaurant <ref> The EPCOT explorer's encyclopedia: R. Pedersen - Epcyclopedia Press - 2011 </ref>, replacing the office buildings that were previously housed there. Another change to France’s France's restaurants came in 1997, when Disney decided to merge Au Petite Café with Les Chefs de France <Ref name= "Jack"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2011/09/france_pavilion_part_two.html </ref>. The restaurant reopened as an expanded version of [[Les Chefs de France ]] later that year <ref name= "Jack"/>. On January 10, 2013, an expanded bakery called Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie opened in the France pavilion <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/boulangerie-patisserie/news/10jan2013-photos---epcot's-france-pavilion-new-les-halles-boulangerie-pattiserie-now-open.htm </ref>.

In 2012, the France pavilion's bakery [[Boulangerie Patisserie]] closed and was moved to a new, larger building <Ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/boulangerie-patisserie/news/20aug2012-photos---new-photo-shows-a-greatly-expanded-bakery-building-rising-behind-the-france-pavilion.htm </ref>. The restaurant eventually reopened on January 10, 2013 as [[Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie]], in its new location <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/boulangerie-patisserie/news/10jan2013-photos---epcot's-france-pavilion-new-les-halles-boulangerie-pattiserie-now-open.htm </ref>. Subsequently, on May 30, 2013, [[L'Artisan des Glaces]] (an ice cream parlor) opened in the original Boulangerie Patisserie location <Ref> https://d23.com/a-to-z/lartisan-des-glaces/ </ref>. More changes to France's restaurants came on December 10, 2012, when Bistro de Paris was replaced by Monsieur Paul <ref> https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/12/monsier-paul-restaurant-debuts-dec-11-upstairs-at-epcot-france-pavilion/ </ref>. Named after the famous French chef Paul Bocuse, Monsieur Paul offers a slightly less formal dining experience than its predecessor. Besides its many restaurants and shops, the France pavilion is also home to the [[Impressions de France ]] attraction. This film is shown in the Palais du Cinema, which was based on a theater in Fontainebleau <ref name= "Jack"/>. Impressions De France is a travelogue which shows guests the various regions of France, while a score of classical music arranged by Buddy Baker plays <ref name= "Martin"/>. On July 15, 2017, Disney announced that a version of the Ratatouille: The Adventure attraction from France's Disney Studios Park would be constructed in the France pavilion <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/ratatouille/news/16jul2017-ratatouille-coming-to-epcots-france-pavilion.htm </ref>. The new attraction is expected to open in time for Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary in 2021. Subsequently, on November 17, 2018, Disney announced that a new Beauty and the Beast sing along attraction would be coming to the France pavilion's Palais du Cinema <ref> https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/11/new-nighttime-spectaculars-beauty-the-beast-sing-along-announced-for-epcot/ </ref>. The new film is expected to alternate showings with Impressions de France, and will not replace the classic film. On August 25, 2019, Disney announced that The Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along film would be joining [[Impressions de France]] in the Palais du Cinema on January 2020 <ref name="magic"> https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/ratatouille/news/25aug2019-remys-ratatouille-adventure-gets-a-summer-2020-opening-alongside-other-france-pavilion-additions.htm </ref>. Furthermore, at this time, Disney announced that Remy's Ratatouille Adventure (the official name of the previously announced Ratatouille dark ride attraction) would open in the Summer of 2020, along with a new restaurant named [[La Crêperie de Paris]] <ref name="magic"/>.

 '''Disney Phineas and Ferb: Agent P's World Showcase Adventure[[Impressions de France]]'''- On this interactive adventure, guests use This travelogue film showcases many of France's landmarks and landscapes on a "F.O180 degree screen.N.E." (Field Operative Notification Equipment) The scenes in the film are set to help Agent P. stop Dr. Doofenshmirtz, a score arranged by looking for clues throughout World ShowcaseBuddy Baker. '''[[Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along]]'''- This 15 minute retelling of Beauty and the Beast features songs from the film including "Be Our Guest" and "Gaston". The adventure film is based on narrated by Angela Lansbury. '''[[Remy's Ratatouille Adventure]]'''- This 4D attraction shrinks guests down to the Disney cartoon Phineas size of a mouse and Ferbtakes them on a whirlwind adventure through Gustave's kitchen.

'''[[Monsieur Paul]]-''' This table service restaurant is located on the floor above Chefs de France. From 1094 1984 until 2012 the restaurant was known as Bistro de Paris.

'''[[Les Halles Boulangerie Paitisserie]]-''' This counter service restaurant sells French pastries, sandwiches and snacks. '''[[L'Artisan des Glaces]]'''- This ice cream parlor opened in 2013.