Futuroscope - Poitou Charentes

The fabulous theme park that is Futuroscope!

If your idea of a great day out is a mix of rides that make you scream plus jaw-dropping 3D films that take you white-water rafting across the Nile, then to the depths of the ocean and even into outer space, Futuroscope is made for you. The theme park is the top attraction in the Poitou-Charentes and second in France, and has an impressive 70% visitor return rate.
Created just over 20 years ago the 60-hectare park, with its landscaped gardens and fountains, contains a number of futuristic-looking pavilions in which the films and rides are housed. One-fifth of the 23 attractions are refreshed every two years but every year there is something new.
This year’s everyone’s talking about ‘Les Animaux du Future’ (‘The Future Is Wild’) which uses the latest in 3D technology to create a world of the future. Seated on a moving cart and holding special viewing binoculars, visitors see creatures that may be inhabiting earth in five, 100 and 200 millions years time. A special sensory bracelet allows visitors to reach out their hand and ‘touch’ the animals as well as throw them food.
Also spectacular in 3D is the journey underwater where thanks to special glasses viewers can swim amongst coral reefs, sharks and giant jellyfish. This film, called ‘Sous les mers du Monde 3D’ (Deep Sea 3D) like many shown at Futuroscope, is directed by a renowned director who is a specialist in his field.Not in 3D but still thrilling to watch are the films that take you around the world such as the one that takes you the entire length of the Nile river, alternately in a boat with white water rafters or in a helicopter flying low over the fast-flowing water.
New for 2009 is a charming film called ‘Les Astromouches’ (Fly me to the Moon). An animated movie, it follows three young flies who manage to hide themselves away on the first mission to the Moon, sharing the historic moment with Neil Armstrong and his crew.

Scream until you can scream no more!
But as well as films, Futuroscope also has plenty of thrilling rides including those that will have you swooping through caverns in outer space or zooming through the streets of a French village. The most popular ride is ‘la Vienne Dynamique’ (Dynamic Vienne) – strapped into a seat that moves, viewers join a bridegroom as he races to his wedding, flying through the air and careering through narrow streets. As he zips around corners, so do you. It even has sensory effects – which we will leave you to discover!
Another must is (Danse avec les Robots’ (Dances with Robots) a ride in which you are strapped into a seat on the end of a long mechanical arm – for for a first-hand report see below.
For an experience that’s both fun and thought-provoking head for ‘Les yeux Grands Fermés (Journey into the Dark). Led by a blind person, you plunge into darkness, only able to rely on your sense of touch, smell and hearing to guide you. While all rides and attraction are included in your ticket price, this attraction costs €4 (€3 child) which goes to funding aids of handicapped people.

New attraction!

Futuroscope has a fantastic new ride - Arthur and the Minimoys. Based on the hit film created by Luc Besson, the ride has also been created by him. In 4D, you not only watch, you also feel the whole experience. For more information, see Arthur and the Minimoys.

 

Inside Information...

Futuroscope - people - poitou-charentes

 * Most people head straight for the Dyanmic Vienne ride which is close to the park entrance. To avoid the queues, head for the other end of the park and start from there.
* Throughout the park there are information booths where you can find out which rides currently have the shortest queues so you can avoid standing around.
* Don’t do the ‘dynamic’ rides one after each other – this will make you feel quesy! And of course, avoid them straight after a meal.
* Guides and commentaries are available in English and Spanish, and are free.

What's for lunch?
Futuroscope is a full day out, which means that at some point you will need to refuel. If you’re watching your budget, you can take a picnic – your ticket allows you to go in and out of the park so you can return to your car to pick up supplies or drive to a nearby supermarket to stock up. Back at the park all you need to do is find yourself a grassy knoll and tuck in.
If you prefer to have someone else do all the hard work, you can choose from a number of eating places, from those offering take-away sandwiches to restaurants where you can enjoy good quality fast food from hamburgers to tapas.
Menu du jours at other restaurants range from €15 per person (adult) for a three course meal to one costing a €20 (adult) for an all you can eat buffet. For a nouvelle cuisine meal take a seat at up-market le Cristal restaurant where the chef does ‘cuisine moléculaire’ – fancy a macaroon that has you blowing smoke out of your nose when you eat it?
Futuroscope doesn’t stop when all the rides are completed and the films watched. In the evening, after the sun has set, the park puts on a fantastic show (included in the ticket price) that centres around its lake and fountains.
This year’s show, called The Blue Note Mystery, has been created by the man behind the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics and is an extravaganza of lights, music, laser special effects and fireworks.
Have a great time!

DANCING WITH ROBOTS by (fortysomething) Michael Streeter
It’s dancing, Jim – but not as we know it. As soon as you arrive in the auditorium you know you are in for something different. The air is filled with the excited screams of teenagers – and that’s before they have gone on the attraction.
You are led to the end of a raised platform where you take your place inside the ‘module’ on the end of a robotic arm. I’m reminded of those films where astronauts are strapped into their seats inside test sites to discover the effects of zero gravity…except they don’t have pop music in the background. In this case the strains of ‘Staying Alive’ have just ended. Rather appropriate, I thought as I prepared for take off. Instead I get La Bamba, though as I am about to discover you don’t get much time to appreciate the music.
We’re off! I have rashly chosen level 3 – the highest – and my fillings start to rattle as I’m hurtled from side to side, round and round and then upside down. Now I see why we were asked to leave our belongings back at mission control. I start to tell my companion to stop shouting but then realise the noise is coming from me. The world is a blur, my eyes unable to focus on anything as I’m whirred around by the robotic arm. I feel like I’m falling from a great height, then suddenly soaring upwards again.
And then, just as suddenly as it started, it’s all over. Drained, I stagger out from my seat, collect my belongings and head for the exit. I no longer feel like an astronaut but a character from Top Gun. I’m walking in slow motion, music blaring in the background. A mild form of elation takes hold of me. I’ve danced with a robot and survived.
Mission accomplished.

DETAILS

Address: BP2000, 86130 Jaunay-Clan, near Poitiers.
Tel: + 33 (0)5 49 49 59 06
Tickets: €35 (adult); €25 (child). School groups are welcome.
Many of the attractions at the park give access for the handicapped and those in wheelchairs. Wheelchairs can also be hired (subject to availability) 
For more information, see the park's English-language website


Words: Rachel LOOS

Photograph: Coyright Futuroscope