10km north of Poitiers, the Futuroscope theme park is all about multimedia, cinema, audio-visual and robotic technology of the future. In July 2011, Futuroscope welcomed its 40 millionth visitor since it opened in 1987- proof of its continuing success, with regular new attractions being created all the time. More than 20 years ago the architect Denis Laming conjured up all of the Futuroscope pavilions and the adjoining ‘technopolis’, creating the contours of the amazing “city of the future” intended by the founders of the site. Two of the most well-known structures are the Futuroscope Pavilion, a sphere mounted on an upright prism, and the Kinemax, which has been the new symbol for Futuroscope since 2003. The park offers lots of impressive 3D screenings in its gigantic cinemas: you can wander through 900m² of interactive vaulted area and explore the most famous works of the painter Vincent Van Gogh, immerse yourself in the world of Arthur and the Minimoys (from the Luc Besson film) and marvel at prehistoric ocean beds, and much more. Created in 2008, the “The Future is Wild” attraction uses cutting-edge technology to create a possible scenario for how species evolved from 5, 100 or even 200 million years ago. A number of the 3D animations also have sensory, sound and olfactory effects: the new “The Little Prince” 4D immersive animation includes ground vibration, rain, clouds, smoke, jets of air, the sensation of falling and coloured soap bubbles… all of which intensify sensation to give the impression of being in a dream.
Official site: http://uk.futuroscope.com
If you want to explore the famous 53m-high Ariane 5 rocket or set off in the Soyuz spacecraft, go to Space City in Toulouse. Authenticity guaranteed: visitors can go on board the MIR Space Station, an exact replica of the famous Russian space station used for ground testing. Voyage into space with the many attractions such as the Imax, a giant screen as high as a six-storey building that screen films made in space, enter the depths of the latest generation planetarium, with a 360° vaulted screen, or the Stellarium, a fascinating astronomical simulator. There are a number of attractions for children, with their own Children’s Base. And everyone will enjoy the thrills of the Gyro-Extreme, a training seat for astronauts, plus the Moon Runner, a simulator that lets you try a weightless moon walk!
Official site: http://www.cite-espace.com/en
Vulcania is located in the Auvergne Volcanoes Park in the heart of the Chaîne des Puys region about 15km from the centre of Clermont-Ferrand. Symbolic of its powerful mineral architecture, the Vulcania cone rises up in the centre of the Park like a volcano – as if the last to appear in the Chaîne des Puys. Most of the park is hidden underground. A place for both learning and leisure, Vulcania gives everyone a better understanding of how volcanoes and our planet work. The major success of Vulcania is that people can experience science for themselves through sense and feeling, whilst remaining true to its aim to teach. Children and adults alike can enjoy the thrilling attractions: Magma Explorer - move like magma to the molten core of the volcano and watch the lava as it surges and rises; the “Angry Earth” - experience the force of the elements as they are unleashed in a room fitted with moving platforms and feel the vibrations of the earth; Earth Machine - an amazing journey amongst authentic lava flows to explore the origins and mysteries of The Earth; the “Unveiled Planet” - a compelling virtual journey showing you all the landscapes of earth from space - especially volcanic regions… and lots of other attractions. The 57-hectare site has panoramic views and discovery trails allowing visitors to get the most from this unique environment. Vulcania also offers the chance to explore a magnificent region: the Auvergne, its amazing landscape, with an exceptionally rich natural and architectural heritage, all in the heart of France.
Official site: http://www.vulcania.com/[VU1]
The ideal theme park for an outing with the whole family. In the heart of the Ermenonville Forest in the Oise, The Sea of Sand and the amazing natural setting take visitors on a conquest of three worlds of adventure: the Gates of the Desert, the Time of the Pioneers and the Conquest of the American West and the Jungle, with 26 attractions of all kinds and vividly real adventures: fantastic horseback riding and burlesque shows, horse-riding stunts and aerobatics, acrobatics, shows and adventures. Visitors can set out to conquer The West and cross untamed rivers. In addition to the acrobatic prowess of the park performers, visitors will love the backdrop – worthy of any great western. Ranch, saloon, sand on the ground, cactus and, as you approach the village, the Cheyenne River rapids - a gigantic canyon, plus other unforgettable attractions. The Sea of Sand also has Jungle and Safari worlds and suspended bridges to delight visitors.
Official site: http://www.merdesable.fr/
The Puy du Fou: not just famous for its sound and light shows, especially the famous Cinéscénie and its 1,200 actors on a 23-hectare stage, but a number one theme park destination too. It is located in the hedged farmland of the Vendée region, near Les Herbiers and Cholet and an hour from Nantes and Angers. The park puts on lots and lots of amazing shows in the heart of a hundred year-old forest: roaring battles, with Vikings attacking an ancient village with thatched roofs, magnificent raptor flight displays in the Dance of the Phantom Birds, swashbuckling shows with the Richelieu Musketeers … Animals are everywhere, to the delight of children and adults alike. The park also lets you step through the gates of time and wander through an authentic medieval city, a magnificent eighteenth-century village and a Belle Epoque town from 1900. At night, a fantastic symphony of water and fire – so romantic – lights up the old Puy du Fou lake. New for 2012: the Imaginary World of La Fontaine, an interactive experience in the extraordinary La Fontaine Gardens – very 17th century, the Grand Siècle. Surrounded by animals from the celebrated Fables and talking trees, the statues suddenly come to life and there is one surprise after another as visitors pass by.
Official site: http://www.puydufou.com/
“Tell me a story about France…”. 10 minutes from Versailles or 20 minutes from Paris-Porte d’Auteuil, France Miniature takes you around France in giant steps. The whole country has been transferred onto a map covering 5 hectares of land, where the public can explore 116 replicas of the most beautiful monuments in France and 150 model landscapes that are 1/30th actual size. This is the biggest miniature theme park in Europe. Marvel at the most beautiful sites of France in a single day: the most beautiful monuments of Paris all in one place, Versailles, the castles of the Loire, the volcanoes of the Auvergne, Conques Abbey and the Arles Amphitheatre, gothic and Roman architecture, Normandy pastures and the Mont Saint Michel and so on.
Official site: http://www.franceminiature.fr/en
It’s the biggest theme park in France: Disneyland Paris, thirty km or so to the east of the capital. The enchanted kingdom offers a wide choice of sensational attractions, breath-taking parades and a fairytale backdrop. The theme park is made up of five magic lands: Main Street USA, Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland and Discoveryland, where visitors might bump into Mickey, Minnie, Donald or one of their friends at any time. For people who love film, the Walt Disney Studios Park, a theme park totally dedicated to lovers of film, lets you enter the glamorous world of cinema and television. A chance to see 3D attractions, fathom the mysteries of Disney cartoons and watch fabulous shows.
Official site: http://www.disneylandparis.fr/index...
The village that is home to the indomitable Gauls, inspired by the famous comic book, opens its doors to you in Plailly, in the Oise, thirty or so km from Paris. Asterix and Obelix are there for you to have a great time. Dancing, shows, stunts and surprises, and visitors can also hear Caconofix sing. There are five different worlds in the park to explore: Gaul and the famous Gaul village, plus the Roman Empire, Greece, Vikings and Travel through time. Lots of different scenarios for you to experience: visitors can assume the identity of a Roman spy to infiltrate the camp of the indomitable Gauls (watch out – intensive training!), weather a storm on board a swing boat or embark a on a Viking Drakkar long ship. Actors, stuntmen, acrobats, animal trainers, artisans, magicians and more are all there to surprise the visitor at every turn. The Astérix Park is packed with breath-taking attractions: Tonnerre de Zeus, the biggest wooden roller coaster in Europe, the spectacular Goudurix serpentine rollercoaster, the Trace du Hourra, a vertiginous 900m descent, and the Menhir Express (which floats) and more.
Official site: http://www.parcasterix.fr/en
Viewed from a distance Walibi Parks look like big funfairs but when you get close up the massive spectacular scale and originality make it a world all on its own. They are in fact gigantic theme parks. Experience vertiginous thrills and spills: amazing roller coasters, wild water crossings, 3D cinema and loads of other attractions such as Boomerang, a steel monster that throws its passengers around at over 85km per hour, and “Chairoplanes”, an old-fashioned flying carousel with swing chairs that moves up and down in waves, giving you the unique sensation of floating on air. There are two Walibi Parks in France: one in Aquitaine (in Rocquefort, not far from Agen) and the other in the Rhône-Alpes region (Les Avenières, between Lyon and Chambéry).
Official site: http://www.walibi.com/sud-ouest/fr-fr
For people who love to watch the aquatic ballet of dolphins. Marineland in Antibes, on the edge of the Mediterranean on the Côte d’Azur, founded as far back as1970, quickly became the number one place to go – a pioneering marine park. It is home to killer whales, sharks and sea lions. This is the place where Luc Besson filmed a number of scenes for his film The Big Blue, released in 1988. At Marineland, children and adults alike can get close to the marine mammals. The programme includes lots of killer whale, dolphin, sea lion and bird (raptors and parrots) displays, magnificent aquaria (tropical fish, sea horses, marine turtles, etc.) and a veritable zoo of marine creatures: sea lions, seals, Steller’s sea lions, pelicans, pink flamingos, penguins, rays and polar bears... The shark tunnel offers a unique opportunity to get close to these ferocious beasts – 30m long, it crosses a giant aquarium filled with around 2 million litres of water. The marine park is actually part of a bigger complex that also includes: the Aqua-Splash water park; the Little Far West Farm, an animal park (farm animals) with lots of games for children; Adventure Golf and three “Jules Verne” crazy golf courses.
Official site: http://www.marineland.fr/page-_en.php
