At a glance
La Girafe Curieuse, full name La Girafe Curieuse (Tout pour le Safari), sits in the Adventureland Bazar, at the entrance to the land.
Its made-up backstory is that of a travelling trader who, driving his Jeep across the African desert, crashed into a lamp post while swerving to avoid a giraffe. He set up shop in a ruined building, and the giraffe, which became a regular customer by poking its head through a window at the back of the shop, gave the business its name. The Jeep, still parked outside the entrance, serves as the shop sign. According to Imagineer Chris Tietz, it was originally meant to be a souvenir stand, an idea that was eventually dropped.
The architecture blends several West and Central African influences: a clay mud facade (a technique common in Africa for its thermal properties), colourful bas-reliefs inspired by Hausa architecture from northern Nigeria, where intricate decoration signals a prosperous household, a main tower with ventilation openings, and a side entrance decorated with giraffe-skin patterns.
Inside: exposed beams, bamboo, thatched roofs, hanging greenery, African ceramic lanterns and expedition props (a tent, a camp chair topped with a fedora, a camera, a stuffed crocodile). Wooden crates are addressed to quirky recipients such as "M. Sapristi", "Porcelaine à l’Éléphant", "Dr Leakey" or "Sligo, Safaris Inc". Best of all, a giraffe Audio-Animatronic (an animated figure) pokes its head through an opening at the back of the shop to watch visitors and nibble on some leaves. It comes from the same mould as the giraffes on the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland in California.
The range covers adult and children’s clothing for getaways, accessories, Disney ears, toys, soft toys, baby items, tableware and souvenirs in the colours of the African continent.
A giraffe pokes its head into the back room. The made-up story goes that a travelling trader crashed into a lamppost while swerving to avoid a giraffe in the African desert, then set up shop in the building next door. The giraffe became a regular customer and now pokes its head through a window at the back of the shop, giving the place its name and its most photographed detail.
What you’ll find
History
The shop has been open since the park opened on 12 April 1992.
Theme & story
Who it’s for
Pros and cons
Strong points
- Giraffe animatronic poking its head in at the back of the shop
- Immersive setting with a safari Jeep outside the entrance
- Themed crates labelled with made-up destinations and senders
Weak points
- Compact shop floor
- Narrow aisles between the crates and displays
- A smaller range than the park’s main shops
- Visitors sometimes miss it, as it sits back from the main flow
My verdict
Julie’s tip
Best time to visit
Drop in late morning or early afternoon, and take your time looking for the giraffe at the back of the shop.
Map & getting there
La Girafe Curieuse is in Adventureland, near the Agrabah Café restaurant.
Your questions about this shop
01 Where can you shop for Disney merchandise at Disneyland Paris?
You have four main options: the shops in Disneyland Park (mainly on Main Street U.S.A. and in each land), the shops in Disney Adventure World, the shops in Disney Village (no park ticket needed) and your hotel shop if you’re staying at an official Disney Hotel. I go through the main shops in my dedicated article.
02 Can you shop without carrying your bags all day?
Yes. The Shopping Service lets you have your purchases sent to a collection point, to pick up later in the shop, or as you leave the park in another shop, or even in the shop at your Disney Hotel. The service is free in most shops (above a minimum spend). Just ask the sales assistant when you pay.
03 What are the shops’ opening hours?
The shops in the parks roughly follow the parks’ opening hours, often opening a little earlier on Main Street U.S.A. and closing a little later after the night-time show. The Disney Village shops have their own opening hours, usually later into the evening. The exact times are in the Disneyland Paris app.
04 Can you order Disneyland Paris merchandise online?
There’s no official Disneyland Paris online shop. To buy from home, you can go to the Disney Store website (formerly shopDisney), which sells official Disney merchandise and sometimes a few Disneyland Paris-specific products. At the resort, you buy directly in the shops.
