Futuroscope

Futuroscope opened in 1987 as an experiment: a park whose attractions were image technologies rather than rides, built in a cluster of angular glass and steel pavilions that still define its look. Over the years it has run large-format film, 3D and 4D, dome projection, simulators on motion bases and, more recently, mixed-reality attractions; the emphasis stays on screens, sound and movement rather than height and speed. It draws around two million visitors a year, which makes it one of the most visited parks in France. An evening water and light show closes the day in season. Some coasters have been added.

History

The first stone of Futuroscope was laid on 11 December 1984, and the park opened on 31 May 1987 with the Kinémax, the Futuroscope pavilion and a play area. New attractions followed almost every year, among them 3D and 360° cinemas in 1989, the Omnimax in 1990, when the Tour de France started here, and an IMAX 3D film by Jean-Jacques Annaud in 1996; the park welcomed its one-millionth visitor in 1991, a TGV station opened beside it in June 2000, and on 18 April 2001 it received its 25 millionth visitor. By 2015 it drew 1.83 million visitors a year (Wikipedia, Futuroscope).

What to look for

• The pavilion architecture - angular glass and steel buildings from the 1980s.
• The screen attractions - dome, large-format and mixed-reality shows.
• The motion simulators - seats moving in time with projected film.
• The evening show - a water, light and projection finale in season.

When to go

April to October; the park closes for parts of winter and some weekdays out of season. School holidays are busiest. Attractions rotate as technology dates, so returning visitors find changes.

Things to know

Older attractions can feel dated next to modern screens at home. Queues are long in holidays. It is largely indoors, which helps in bad weather but means crowding.

Nearby

Poitiers lies south; Saint-Savin abbey is east.

Key facts