Nestling in the heart of the Vienne region, this leisure park has already welcomed over fifty million visitors since its creation. Now it’s your turn to visit Futuroscope!
For fans of new experiences, a visit to Futuroscope is a must!
Just twenty minutes north of Poitiers, this gigantic park awakens your senses with its visual and playful animations.
Since its inauguration in 1987, it has never ceased to push back the boundaries of imagination in terms of attractions. This unique offering is complemented by shows, exhibitions and film screenings.
For a day or a weekend, the Chasseneuil-du-Poitou leisure park welcomes you with its hotels and restaurants. Learn, have fun, be amazed: find out now what to do at Futuroscope, during your getaway in Nouvelle-Aquitaine!
Futuroscope history
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Steve Allen
On May 31, 1987, Futuroscope officially opened its doors. The general public discovered the Kinémax, Europe’s largest flat-screen TV, and the Futuroscope Pavilion. The tone is set: here, science and technology take center stage, in a friendly and fun way. Animations and exhibitions are designed to delight the whole family, children and adults alike!
The project was made possible by the Vienne departmental council. Its president, René Monory, initiated the project in 1984. In Chasseneuil-du-Poitou and Jaugnay-Marigny, no less than fifty-three hectares are dedicated to the project. Today, Futuroscope comprises the leisure park and an adjacent technology park.
Over the years, the park has sought to create surprising new attractions, particularly from a visual point of view. In 1990, it welcomed theOmnimax, a semi-spherical screen featuring the IMAX® system. 3D technology, augmented reality: the park embraces the scientific innovations of the 21st century to share them with the public.
Futuroscope also develops grandiose night-time shows, combining poetry and science: « Le Mystère de la Note Bleue » (2009) and « Lady Ô » (2013) have left stars in visitors’ eyes for a long time to come.
The park is also a regular partner for events. It hosts concerts in its Palais des Congrès, and has been a stopover for the Tour de France on several occasions. Finally, the park works closely with teachers and welcomes school groups throughout the year.
What to see and do at Futuroscope
Photo Credit: Instagram – Futuroscope
Like the 1.85 million visitors who came to the park in 2018, now find out what to do at Futuroscope!
Four must-see attractions
- Arthur, l’Aventure 4D
Created by Luc Besson, the attraction opened in 2010. Based on the world of the « Arthur and the Minimoys » films, it invites the curious on a coccivolante ride! With its cutting-edge visual and sensory effects, it’s always a big hit with young and old alike.
- Dancing with robots
There’s only one step from cinema to music! In this case, DJ Martin Solveig designed the attraction. Harnessed to a robot, you are invited to move to the beat, according to three levels of intensity. A great moment to share together!
- L’Extraordinaire Voyage
Futuroscope couldn’t remain insensitive to the work of Jules Verne. Since 2017, « L’Extraordinaire Voyage » has paid tribute to the famous writer’s « Around the World in Eighty Days ». In just 4 minutes, you’ll take a dizzying tour of the globe, encountering the most beautiful landscapes on our planet. Without doubt the park’s star attraction!
- In the eyes of Thomas Pesquet
Finally, relive the space epic of astronaut Thomas Pesquet in a 25-minute film: « Dans les yeux de Thomas Pesquet » takes you along in his footsteps, from his preparation and departure for the International Space Station in November 2016, to his return to Earth in June 2017. Images of great beauty that will make you see our planet from a new angle.
What’s new in 2019
- Futuropolis
Opening in April 2019, the « Futuropolis » attraction is specially designed for children. It takes the form of a mini-city where budding explorers take turns playing sportsmen and women, gardeners and archaeologists. A fun way to project yourself into the future!
The epic Solar Impulse solar airplane thrilled fans in 2015 and 2016. Find out more about this adventure in Planet Power, a 22-minute 3D film that takes you around the world.
- Planet Power
For the exhibition « L’oiseau des mers et l’oiseau solaire », 56 photos by Francis Demange are set against texts byHervé Bonnot. The exhibition retraces the paths of Solar Impulse and l’Hydroptère,Alain Thébault‘s trimaran. Two technologies, between sky and sea, that showcase renewable energies.
How to visit Futuroscope
Photo Credit : App Store
There’s no one right way to visit Futuroscope. The route you take will depend mainly on what you feel like doing at the time. However, you can make your visit easier with Futuroscope’s freemobile app.
Whether it’s the day before or the day of your visit, you’ll be able to consult attraction and show schedules online to plan your visit to the park.
Thanks to the park map available on the app, finding an attraction or toilet will become much easier. Even better: it displays the waiting time for each attraction in real time. No need to waste hours waiting in line, you can choose to do something else instead!
How do I get to Futuroscope?
There are several options for visiting Futuroscope:
By car
Taking the freeway to Futuroscope? Take theA10 to exit 28 « Futuroscope ». You’ll be there in less than 5 minutes.
If you’re driving from Poitiers, the park is about 20 minutes north of the city, on avenue René Monory, in Chasseneuil-du-Poitou.
By public transport
Chasseneuil-du-Poitou is served by the Grand Poitiers public transport network. To get to the Futuroscope, you can take :
- Lines 1 and 21 of the Vitalis network, Monday to Saturday.
- The E line on Sundays.
Please note: no buses run on May 1st, and timetables change according to summer or winter!
By train
Since 2000, Futuroscope has had its own TGV station. A great way to get to the park! You can also arrive at Poitiers station, then take an Intercités or TER train to Futuroscope station.
By plane
If you’re thinking of flying,Poitiers-Biard airport is at your service! The airport welcomes travelers from France (Lyon, Nice…) and England (London, Manchester). Don’t hesitate to book your tickets in advance and use Ulysse to find a flight at the best price.
Futuroscope opening hours & rates
Photo Credit: Facebook – Futuroscope
SCHEDULES
This year, the Futuroscope park is open from February 09, 2019 to January 05, 2020, from 10am to dusk. Activities are planned throughout the day. To find out about them in advance, you can consult the calendar available on the park’s official website.
Please note: schedules and programming are subject to change or cancellation, depending on weather conditions. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, stay connected! The Futuroscope application will once again make your life easier, by offering you the possibility of consulting schedules.
RATES
There are a number of different price packages available to anyone wishing to visit Futuroscope. Prices vary depending on whether you’re an adult (17-59), a senior citizen (60+) or a child (5-16). What’s more, you can book dated or free tickets.
You can choose to come for just one day, or to take advantage of a stay, including one or two nights. If you only want to come in the evening to enjoy the show, you can do that too! So there’s a huge range of prices to choose from! To find out more, visit the park’s official website.
Among the range of formulas on offer, we have selected the so-called classic rates:
- 1 day – Classic Rate
– Adults (17-59 years): €45
– Children (5-16 years): €37
– Toddlers (under 5): Free
- 2 days – Classic Rate
– Adults (17-59 years): €82
– Children (5-16 years): €69
– Toddlers (under 5): Free
- 3 days – Classic Rate
– Adults (17-59 years): €99
– Children (5-16 years): €86
– Toddlers (under 5): Free
Good to know
– A minimum height is required for some attractions. Remember to measure your child at the « Tour assistance » point before starting your tour, or consult the height chart beforehand.
– Adapted services are available for visitors with disabilities. In fact, Futuroscope has been awarded the Tourisme et Handicap label.
– Numerous restaurants are available in the park, but you can also picnic in the picnic area.
Now you know what to do on your next Futuroscope outing!