Amusement parkFuturoscope > Review
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perfection!
Put yourself in the picture!
weetoon (42)
Ecosse, United Kingdom
I had heard a lot about this place in France from friends and family members and I was really looking forward to visiting it. It took us a few years, but finally we made it. We were staying with my parents who live not very far from there, so it seemed like the perfect family day out. The four of us set off on a very hot summer's day, the kids impatient, my husband secretly reluctant (although he can't keep a secret from me), as he felt this place was going to be a sort of French Disneyland or Alton Towers. I had explained to him that nothing could be further from the truth, but I don't think he believed me.
So, what is it?
It is quite difficult to classify this place, but I guess the nearest description would be a theme park, only rather than a theme, it has a media: cinema In effect, it is a park full of cinema theatres, but not the usual kind. Each of these theatres has very distinct characteristics. There are giant screens, 360o screens, dome screens, dynamic cinema, 3D cinema and more, and a number of combinations of those
Access
The Futuroscope is near Poitiers and situated in the French departement of La Vienne, in the Poitou-Charentes region (west of France). It is very easy to access by road as the A10 motorway is nearby, and signposting starts quite a distance from the park. It is also very straightforward to access by train, the park has its own TGV station (if you have never travelled by TGV, I recommend it, but that is perhaps another review). Travelling this way, it only takes an hour and twenty minutes from Paris. Or you could fly there, as there is an airport 10 minutes away by taxi, and it takes about an hour and a half from London (However, be aware that travelling by plane is not the most environmentally friendly mode of transport).
Practical information
Let's get all the boring, but necessary details out of the way. The entry price is €31 for adults and €24 for children. There are also a number of deals and packages on offer which can all be found on the website. I appreciate that this may sound a little expensive, but we are looking at a special family day out, and if you think that there are over 20 attractions and shows on the park, it really is good value.
There is an extensive hotel park near the Futuroscope, so if you chose to spend two days there, it should not be a problem finding somewhere to stay. I cannot comment further as we didn't stay there.
In the park itself, not all rides (let's call them that for lack of a better word) are accessible to the disabled and younger children, and pregnant women are not admitted on some of the Cinema Dynamic shows. But this shouldn't stop anyone from enjoying a visit there, as there really is plenty to do and see. There are areas for little ones which seemed very well landscaped. In fact I had trouble keeping my teenagers out of there!
If you drive there, there is an extensive car park, to the tune of €5 a day. There are cash dispensers within the perimeter of the park.
There are plenty of facilities available, restaurants, cafes, etc, although if cost is an issue, bring your own lunch (and have more time to go round the different shows).
You can also get a translation set to help you understand some of the films. It was useful on one or two occasions. This service is free, but you will have to leave your passport or a substantial sum of money as a guarantee.
I refer you to the very comprehensive website for more information on opening times, as these vary at different times of year.
Our day
We had booked our tickets online and arrived in plenty of time, as the actual park doesn't open till 10 am. We collected our tickets at the information desk and walked right passed the queues that were forming at the ticket booths. As this was soon after the London bombings, our bags were searched, but this was done very professionally and if anything it made you feel quite safe.
The park itself lives up to its name, with an array of futuristic, visually striking buildings. My sister in law, who had visited previously, advised me to go round the park counter to the recommended route, in order to avoid queuing for the various shows. However, we found that there was no longer a recommended route and people went every which way. In all honesty though, although the place was busy, queues were not a major problem. We did have to wait for a few of the 'rides', but this was handled effectively by staff.
Finally, we got onto the first ride called Peril on Akryls. This was one of the Dynamic Cinema shows, with a Sci-Fi theme. In this one, you are sitting in a simulator moved by hydraulic jacks in time to the images and special effects you see. Wow! After only five minutes, thoroughly shaken AND stirred we felt a sense of achievement, having successfully completed our mission in space. We were hooked! Even my unenthusiastic husband had to admit that this was fun.
I don't want to spoil any future visit you might make by telling you too much, as the effect of surprise enhances the enjoyment you will get from you day. I would just like to mention a few of experiences you mustn't miss.
By far my favourite was 'Travellers by Air and by Sea', a beautiful, specially commissioned film showing mainly birds, dolphins and whales in glorious double IMAX technology. What's that, you ask? Well, the room is equipped with a giant screen (672 square metres) in front of you, and another, bigger one under your feet. The IMAX itself is simply large-format film In this one, you feel like you are flying with the birds, and for 16 minutes, this is perfect escapism. I can't really describe how amazing that was.
Dynamic Vienne, although a little rough at times, was a mad trip through the Vienne departement and was hugely enjoyable. I have to say at this point that I don't normally like rides that you get in fairgrounds or theme parks, but this is very different. The sensations you get are not random and meaningless, they correspond to the action in the film. What a thrill to be driving a Formula 3 through the narrow streets of a sleepy village! Or to feel a train rush past you as you stick your head out of the window of your own carriage.
My children also loved the Cyber Alley, where they got to try their hand at all kinds of video games, which gave us a chance to go and see 'the Wings of Courage', a 3d film about the early days of the airmail service. I have to say the 3D aspect is a bit of a let down, but the film was very good.
I could go on and on about all the amazing things we saw, but it is probably better to leave you with just a flavour of this park.
Although there are now other parks built on the same idea, this was the first of its kind to my knowledge, and a great success for the Conseil General de la Vienne (the area council). It strives to renew itself and keep up with new developments.
In conclusion, we had a great day which we were able to enjoy together, and that's not always easy with teenagers. We will definitely go back in a few years, when they have changed some of the films.
So, what is it?
It is quite difficult to classify this place, but I guess the nearest description would be a theme park, only rather than a theme, it has a media: cinema In effect, it is a park full of cinema theatres, but not the usual kind. Each of these theatres has very distinct characteristics. There are giant screens, 360o screens, dome screens, dynamic cinema, 3D cinema and more, and a number of combinations of those
Access
The Futuroscope is near Poitiers and situated in the French departement of La Vienne, in the Poitou-Charentes region (west of France). It is very easy to access by road as the A10 motorway is nearby, and signposting starts quite a distance from the park. It is also very straightforward to access by train, the park has its own TGV station (if you have never travelled by TGV, I recommend it, but that is perhaps another review). Travelling this way, it only takes an hour and twenty minutes from Paris. Or you could fly there, as there is an airport 10 minutes away by taxi, and it takes about an hour and a half from London (However, be aware that travelling by plane is not the most environmentally friendly mode of transport).
Practical information
Let's get all the boring, but necessary details out of the way. The entry price is €31 for adults and €24 for children. There are also a number of deals and packages on offer which can all be found on the website. I appreciate that this may sound a little expensive, but we are looking at a special family day out, and if you think that there are over 20 attractions and shows on the park, it really is good value.
There is an extensive hotel park near the Futuroscope, so if you chose to spend two days there, it should not be a problem finding somewhere to stay. I cannot comment further as we didn't stay there.
In the park itself, not all rides (let's call them that for lack of a better word) are accessible to the disabled and younger children, and pregnant women are not admitted on some of the Cinema Dynamic shows. But this shouldn't stop anyone from enjoying a visit there, as there really is plenty to do and see. There are areas for little ones which seemed very well landscaped. In fact I had trouble keeping my teenagers out of there!
If you drive there, there is an extensive car park, to the tune of €5 a day. There are cash dispensers within the perimeter of the park.
There are plenty of facilities available, restaurants, cafes, etc, although if cost is an issue, bring your own lunch (and have more time to go round the different shows).
You can also get a translation set to help you understand some of the films. It was useful on one or two occasions. This service is free, but you will have to leave your passport or a substantial sum of money as a guarantee.
I refer you to the very comprehensive website for more information on opening times, as these vary at different times of year.
Our day
We had booked our tickets online and arrived in plenty of time, as the actual park doesn't open till 10 am. We collected our tickets at the information desk and walked right passed the queues that were forming at the ticket booths. As this was soon after the London bombings, our bags were searched, but this was done very professionally and if anything it made you feel quite safe.
The park itself lives up to its name, with an array of futuristic, visually striking buildings. My sister in law, who had visited previously, advised me to go round the park counter to the recommended route, in order to avoid queuing for the various shows. However, we found that there was no longer a recommended route and people went every which way. In all honesty though, although the place was busy, queues were not a major problem. We did have to wait for a few of the 'rides', but this was handled effectively by staff.
Finally, we got onto the first ride called Peril on Akryls. This was one of the Dynamic Cinema shows, with a Sci-Fi theme. In this one, you are sitting in a simulator moved by hydraulic jacks in time to the images and special effects you see. Wow! After only five minutes, thoroughly shaken AND stirred we felt a sense of achievement, having successfully completed our mission in space. We were hooked! Even my unenthusiastic husband had to admit that this was fun.
I don't want to spoil any future visit you might make by telling you too much, as the effect of surprise enhances the enjoyment you will get from you day. I would just like to mention a few of experiences you mustn't miss.
By far my favourite was 'Travellers by Air and by Sea', a beautiful, specially commissioned film showing mainly birds, dolphins and whales in glorious double IMAX technology. What's that, you ask? Well, the room is equipped with a giant screen (672 square metres) in front of you, and another, bigger one under your feet. The IMAX itself is simply large-format film In this one, you feel like you are flying with the birds, and for 16 minutes, this is perfect escapism. I can't really describe how amazing that was.
Dynamic Vienne, although a little rough at times, was a mad trip through the Vienne departement and was hugely enjoyable. I have to say at this point that I don't normally like rides that you get in fairgrounds or theme parks, but this is very different. The sensations you get are not random and meaningless, they correspond to the action in the film. What a thrill to be driving a Formula 3 through the narrow streets of a sleepy village! Or to feel a train rush past you as you stick your head out of the window of your own carriage.
My children also loved the Cyber Alley, where they got to try their hand at all kinds of video games, which gave us a chance to go and see 'the Wings of Courage', a 3d film about the early days of the airmail service. I have to say the 3D aspect is a bit of a let down, but the film was very good.
I could go on and on about all the amazing things we saw, but it is probably better to leave you with just a flavour of this park.
Although there are now other parks built on the same idea, this was the first of its kind to my knowledge, and a great success for the Conseil General de la Vienne (the area council). It strives to renew itself and keep up with new developments.
In conclusion, we had a great day which we were able to enjoy together, and that's not always easy with teenagers. We will definitely go back in a few years, when they have changed some of the films.
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