Futuroscope reopens with new and improved visitor attractions for Poitou Charentes

Description:

The regions premier tourist attraction Futuroscope reopened last weekend, with a host of new and improved attractions.

A new end-of-day show called The Blue Note Mystery has been developed by designer Yves Pépin, who also worked on the shows at the Beijing Olympics.  The spectacle is created from an array of special effects, with giant images projected onto water screens being supplemented with lasers and flames to take visitors through the 30 minute musical fairytale.

Fly me to the moon is a new animated 3D movie which offers a new perspective on the Apollo 11 mission to the moon.  Beamed onto a 6,240 sq ft flat screen, the feature lasts 35 mins. 

Cosmic Collisions is another short film, cheerfully narrated by Lorant Deutsch.  Made by the American Museum of Natural History, the film takes a look at collisions and how they have shaped (and will continue to shape) the universe.  It uses satellite images taken by NASA, with the effects of collisions modelled in 3D and beamed onto 69ft diameter hemispherical screen.

A new simulator feature is Eco-Dingo, with computer generated images and moving seats visitors take part in a futuristic race, complete with sports commentary.

Two new exhibitions have been introduced for 2009, with an Eco-aware house being joined by 'when art met science', a series of 76 giant photos illustrate the resemblances between scientific images and masterpieces from the art world.

On 4 April the new improved version of 'the future is wild' will open its doors, taking advantage of recent technological advances to make the virtual safari an even more impressive visitor experience.

This year, 'molecular cuisine' will be made available to all, with Hervé the gourmet chemist extending his menu beyond the usual business clientele.

2009 prices for a day pass are 35€ for an adult and 25€ for a child (5-16 years).