Let me reveal a little bit secret to you. Disneyland Paris will not be the one theme park in France. The truth is, for my part, it might not even be essentially the most pleasant.
Final summer time, I took my household to 2 different parks far much less well-known to Brits. We went to Puy du Fou, south-east of Nantes within the Vendée, which brings to life intervals of historical past in exhibits of epic proportions, and to high-tech Futuroscope, close to Poitiers. We had a superb time at each.
What they provide is at turns shocking, thrilling and culturally stimulating. Here is why you must go too, and my recommendations on visiting.
On the cost: Puy de Fou has recreations of Roman chariot races
Puy du Fou
Why go? For the exhibits – in scale and class superior to something I’ve seen at every other theme park. Through the daytime within the Grand Parc, gladiators battle and charioteers race in a Roman stadium; Vikings rise miraculously out of a lake on a longship, then ransack a village; English and French armies battle over a medieval citadel; and birds of prey swoop to inside inches of your head.
Spectacular although these exhibits are, they’re nothing in comparison with the Cinéscénie night-time extravaganza. Some 1,200 actors (native volunteers of all ages) and an unlimited solid of animals (geese, sheep, pigs, oxen) movingly recount the historical past of the area, from the Center Ages to the Second World Struggle, in gigantic, dwelling tableaux. Pictures projected on to watery screens and large-scale pyrotechnics full the leisure. Bear in mind the opening present for the Olympics? Properly, I am not exaggerating once I say you’ll be able to anticipate one thing virtually as mind-blowing.
Visiting ideas: Cinéscénie is carried out solely on weekends from mid-June to mid-September. Guide forward – tickets are bought out to mid-July. The present begins late and runs for one hour 40 minutes with no interval. On the finish of a protracted day, it might be an excessive amount of for younger youngsters (our seven-year-old slept by way of a lot of it).
The Grand Parc is way busier on Cinéscénie days. Arrive early for principal exhibits, because the auditoria refill. Emotion Passes (£7 additional), which permit precedence entry to seating, are value it on busy days. Translation headsets – which do not work completely – price £6. By the park’s again entrance are three enjoyable lodges, with Roman, Gaulish and 18th century themes.
Extra info: www.puydufou.com. Tickets for the Grand Parc and Cinéscénie £38, youngsters 5-13 £24; Grand Parc-only tickets cheaper.
Again to the long run: Futuroscope presents a twenty first century model of theme park, with loads of intelligent rides and methods
Futuroscope
Why go? Futuroscope would not supply something as old-hat as rollercoasters. As a substitute, the thrills that await inside its modern and jagged glass-covered constructions are of the virtual-reality sort, delivered by way of 3D and even 4D movies, and the most recent simulation know-how.
For instance, seats transfer in sync with what you are viewing. So in Dynamic Vienne, you appear to fly over the rivers of the attractive Vienne division, and velocity by way of medieval villages in a racing automotive. Different must-do, high-adrenaline rides with incredible fake results embody The Little Prince, an enthralling, interplanetary journey primarily based on the well-known Antoine de Saint-Exupéry story, and Arthur, the 4D Journey.
Extra actual is Dances With Robots. You are strapped on to the arm of a large robotic that swivels and jerks you round in time with music: very intense – the remainder of my household chickened out! There are additionally a number of extra stress-free and academic IMAX and 3D movies.
Visiting ideas: Futuroscope is greatest suited to adults and youngsters aged round eight or older.
Most sights are indoors, so the park is an efficient possibility if the climate is poor – although it is busier on these days.
Count on lengthy queues for the highest rides in peak summer time. A Premium Move with queue-jumping privileges prices £13. Choose up translation headsets (picture ID wanted), which have English commentaries for a lot of rides and exhibits. The headsets are free; the earphones price 85p.
Splash out on a meal at Le Cristal – Heston Blumental-style molecular delicacies for households, together with hilarious ‘dragon’s breath’ liquid nitrogen meringues. Obtainable mid-July to August 31; e book forward; from £35, youngsters £14 – value each penny.
That includes rousing and intelligent lighting, aquatic and musical results, Futuroscope’s out of doors night present is unquestionably value staying on for. There are a dozen handy, however unexciting, lodges in strolling distance.
Extra info: www.futuroscope.com. Tickets £33, youngsters 5-16 £25.
For ferry crossings to France, see www.brittanyferries.com, www.poferries.com, www.dfdsseaways.co.uk and www.myferrylink.com.
