Toutatis is a steel launched roller coaster at Parc Astérix in Plailly, France, named after the Celtic deity from the Asterix comics whose catchphrase “By Toutatis!” gives the ride its theatrical flair. Built by Intamin as an LSM launch coaster, it opened to the public on April 8, 2023, after years of delays caused by forest protection permitting and the COVID-19 pandemic.
First unveiled at the IAAPA Expo in Orlando in November 2018 and inspired by Taron at Phantasialand, Toutatis was designed to push Parc Astérix into the ranks of Europe’s premier coaster destinations. Upon opening, it became France’s tallest and fastest roller coaster, cementing the park’s reputation as a serious competitor to its larger French rival, Disneyland Paris.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Parc Astérix, Plailly, France
- Manufacturer: Intamin (LSM Launch Coaster)
- Opened: April 8, 2023
- Height: About 167 feet (51 m)
- Top speed: About 68 mph (110 km/h)
- Length: About 3,527 feet (1,075 m)
- Inversions: 3
The Ride Experience
Toutatis uses four separate LSM launches, three of which occur along a swinging back-and-forth section between a vertical spike and a 167-foot top hat tower. Riders are catapulted through airtime-filled hills, a zero-g stall, and a heartline roll among the ride’s three inversions, all within a roughly two-minute cycle that keeps the coaster’s forces varied from start to finish.
The layout was built to maximize the site’s forested terrain near the park’s Gaulish village theme, weaving the steel track through the trees while three 20-rider trains keep the line moving at a capacity of around 1,260 guests per hour.
Theming and Development
Toutatis takes its name from the Celtic sky god referenced throughout the Asterix comic series, and its theming was developed by the Bordeaux-based KAERU Theme Park Design studio with an original score by composer Benjamin Ribolet. The project’s roughly €28 million budget covered everything from track hardware to new access roads and thematic decoration.
Announced in 2018, the coaster’s construction was pushed back multiple times, first by forest-clearing permit requirements and later by pandemic-related shutdowns, before testing finally began in early 2023 ahead of its spring debut.
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Toutatis FAQs
Where is Toutatis located?
Toutatis is located at Parc Astérix, a theme park in Plailly, France, north of Paris.
Who manufactured Toutatis?
Toutatis was built by Intamin as a custom LSM launch coaster.
How fast does Toutatis go?
Toutatis reaches a top speed of about 68 mph (110 km/h) through its four launch segments.
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Photo by Somruthai Keawjan on Unsplash.