Futuroscope is quite a unique theme park in the European landscape. Based on the concept of experiential edutainment, until 2022 it didn’t feature what we traditionally consider rides — meaning there were no attractions involving boarding a vehicle or similar experiences.
The vast majority of the park’s offerings are 3D/4D cinemas or truly original shows.
With 2,000,000 visitors in 2022, it ranks as the 5th most visited park in France.
Where is Futuroscope located?
Futuroscope is located about 180 km southeast of Nantes and around 330 km southwest of Paris.
What does Futuroscope include?
Futuroscope consists of:
- a theme park
- 3 proprietary hotels
- an indoor and outdoor water park (opening next year)
Futuroscope’s hotels
I usually don’t go into detail about park hotels, but Futuroscope’s are worth a closer look.
Until last year, the park had only one hotel, appropriately named “Hotel du Futuroscope.” It’s quite basic but has the big advantage of offering a direct gate connecting the hotel to the park.
In 2022, the Cosmos Station Hotel**** opened near the main entrance. From the photos on the official website, it strongly resembles the Star Wars-themed hotel in Orlando — which unfortunately will be closing soon.
Inside, you’ll also find the “Space Loop” restaurant, where your food arrives via rollercoaster!
Just a few days ago, the brand-new Hôtel Ecolodgee Futuroscope opened its doors.
It’s a fully eco-friendly village made up of various-sized lodges, perfect for spending your evening in harmony with nature.
When is it open?
Futuroscope usually opens in early February and runs its season through the end of the Christmas holidays.
I recommend visiting the official park website to check the schedule and download the park’s app, which will be very helpful before and during your visit.
To make the most of your experience, don’t forget to follow my 12 essential rules.
How much does Futuroscope cost?
The price of a one-day open-date ticket for Futuroscope is listed on the official website at €57 per person.
But if you want to save money and pay in 3 installments with no extra fees, visit MY WEBSITE dedicated to ticket and park+hotel package sales.
How is Futuroscope divided?
Futuroscope doesn’t have clearly defined themed areas. The only separated zone is Futuropolis, but it’s not even marked on the official park maps anymore.
Instead of describing the park areas like I usually do, in this case I’ll tell you about the attractions that, in my opinion, make this park truly unique.
The Extraordinary Journey
This flying theater is truly something hard to describe.
The queue, pre-show, and the ride itself are incredibly immersive, with scent effects and wind — I actually think it’s better than Soarin’ at Epcot and very similar to Voletarium at Europa Park.
The Time Machine
The Time Machine is a super fun attraction where you’ll travel through time thanks to a quirky washing machine and some very clumsy companions.
At first glance it might seem like a simple kids’ ride — but it’s not at all!
Étincelle: the Curse of the Black Opal
This show is exactly what I mean when I say FUTUROSCOPE is the park you don’t expect.
There are tons of nods to Miss Marvel here — the dialogue, the action scenes, the colors — but it’s all perfectly blended with special effects, both during the pre-show and the main performance.
Unmissable!
Destination Mars
This is Futuroscope’s very first coaster.
Opened in 2020, it’s a family coaster that simulates the experience of a space launch. The only downside is that, being a family ride, it doesn’t involve many G-forces. However, the queue, as well as the opening and closing indoor sections, are very well done.
Tornado Chasers
This is without a doubt the best attraction at Futuroscope!
It’s a dynamic cinema experience with special effects never before seen in Europe. The screen resolution is incredibly high, and the entire theater rotates to immerse you completely in the story — a story that actually takes place within the park itself. You’ll feel wind, heat, cold, and see real scenery blending seamlessly with the visuals.
Absolutely amazing!
This attraction has it all, which is why it was awarded Best Attraction in the World in 2022!
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Tips and conclusion
As always, I recommend following my essential rules, which you can find in this article. But here are a few tips that might come in handy.
Futuroscope is a park that every theme park enthusiast should visit at least once.
It’s not the easiest place to reach, but with the addition of the new hotels and the water park opening next year, the effort to get there will be more than worth it.
