Futuroscope

The Parc of Futuroscope is a Parc with topics directed towards the Multimédia, the cinematographic Technologie S , audio-visual and robotics of the future. It is located in the department of the Vienna, with 7 kilometers in the north of Poitiers, on the communes of Chasseneuil-du-Poitou and Jaunay-Clan. It is surrounded by a technopolis established on the commune of Chasseneuil-du-Poitou.

The frequentation of the park is established to 1,48 million visitors in 2006, and with more than 34 million since her opening in 1987, reinforcing her place of 2nd Parc to topic of France. Futuroscope employs 600 people, including 400 at unlimited duration (men: 43%, women: 57%). The old emblem of the park was the Pavillon of Futuroscope, a Sphère posed on a prism right. The current logo is Kinémax (another house), avoided multiple colors, thus representing the modern architecture based on geometrical forms simple.

History

Rene Monory, president of the General advice of the Vienna, imagined at the beginning of the Années 1980 to create a city of the future in order to “create the conditions most favorable to the development of a rural department in lose speed”. This project in which few people believed nevertheless led successfully to the site of Futuroscope which one currently knows and who does not cease growing today, twenty years after its birth.

1983 : the October 24th, the General advice of Vienna decides launching a " observatory of the futur".

1984 : the January 21st, l'" observatory of the futur" " is baptized; Futuroscope" , it will be established on the communes of Jaunay-Clan and Chasseneuil-du-Poitou. The December 11th, poses first stone of the Pavillon of Futuroscope by Rene Monory.

1985 : Beginning of the building site of the Kinémax .

1986 : During the summer, the building site of Futuroscope is accessible to the visitor.

1987 : the May 31st, inauguration of the Park, in the presence of the Prime Minister Jacques Chirac. The Park comprises two attractions then: the Kinémax and the House of Futuroscope , as well as a ludic zone. Not far, a surface of formation and a surface of technological activities, in building site, form the site of Futuroscope.

1988 : opening of the first Dynamic Cinema , the World of the Children and the Showscan (1st part of the House of the Communication ).

1989 : the Cinema in Relief , the Cinema 360° and the second part of the Pavillon of the Communication offer to the visitors new spectacles. This same year, the first Palais of the Congresses opens its doors in the middle of the Park (currently the Magic Illusions ).

1990 : opening of the Omnimax and the Gyrotour . Futuroscope produces its first film in 360° on the Tour de France cyclist whose departure takes place on the site on July 1st.

1991 : inauguration in spring of the Cinéautomate . Reception of the millionth visitor.

1992 : the Magic Carpet and the Paysages of Europe are inaugurated. Futuroscope coproduit its first film in Relief, Thomas and the Lions .

1993 : inauguration of the Solido .

1994 : opening of the House of Vienna , a Dynamic second Cinema and Aquascope .

1995 : at the time of the centenary of the Cinema, inauguration of Images Studio . In same time, new a Palate of the Congresses , offering a more important capacity of reception, opens vis-a-vis the entry of the park (Teleport 1).

1996 : IMAX 3D opens and presents Guillaumet, the Wings of Courage , a fiction in relief realized by Jean-Jacques Annaud. The Showscan becomes the Cinéma High-resolution.

1997 : Futuroscope celebrates its 10 years with a new Night Spectacle, the Lake with the Images . The Cinéautomate becomes Movies-Play and Cyber Avenue opens the doors of the cybermonde to the visitors. The Pavillon of the Communication presents a film produced by Futuroscope, the Highways of Information .

1998 : Cyber Avenue increases with Cybermédia and offers from now on on 1.600 m ² a vast space of discovered Multimédia, Internet, and Video games and virtual. Imagic proposes a spectacle mixing the image and the Illusion. The Dynamic Cinéma 2 becomes Astratour with a film with discovered satellite produces by Futuroscope.

1999 : opening of the Images of the Taste and the Workshop of the Taste in the House of Futuroscope .

2000 : in March, repurchase of the Park by the Group Amaury under the name Planet Futuroscope . April 1st, opening of a simulator in IMAX 3D: The Challenge of Atlantis . The June 13rd, opening of the Station TGV-Futuroscope which makes it possible to the visitors to reach directly in the middle of the park via a footbridge spanning the RN 10. July 1st, the departure of the 87e Tour de France cyclist proceeds in Futuroscope.

2001 : the March 24th, takes place the inauguration of the innovations: CyberWorld , OceanOasis , Superstition and Metropolis Challenge . The April 18th, Futuroscope accommodates its 25 millionth visitor.

2002 : opening of Destination Cosmos . A new Night Spectacle designed by Yves Pip: the Mirror of Uranie and two new films: On the traces of the Plunger Panda and unbounded . November: begun again of Futuroscope by a SEML whose shareholders are the General advice of the Vienna (60% of the shares) and the District council Poitou-Charentes (20% of the shares). The 20% of the shares remainders are held by the private one (Groupe Amaury mainly). The directory is chaired by Dominique Hummel.

2003 : one year under triple signs revival, creativity and abundance. 8 innovations of which a new attraction, the City of Numerical the , 2 films IMAX Space Station 3D and Percussions of the World , 2 films dynamic, 2 new spectacles, Watery melodies and the Great Illusions , the House of the Creativity and a great exposure of photographs in the open air. Closing of Metropolis Challenge. Throughout the season of the musical productions, Theater of street, festivals and international competitions (World cup of Video games in July). A new logo symbolizes the Futuroscope jewel. The park closes with the general public during the winter while remaining accessible for the events of companies and the hotel fixed prices special.

2004 : opening of the February 7th to the November 14th. A festival of the best films IMAX at the beginning of season. The Dynamic Cinéma is equipped with the last innovations and proposes several films. Jacques Perrin produces of exclusiveness a new film for the Magic Tapis , Voyageurs of the Sky and the Sea . the Dream of Icare promises new feelings in IMAX. Virtual new handsets make their appearance with the Cité of Numerical the . Three innovations with the World of the Children : the Swirl , the Turn of the Strapping men and Splashes .

2005 : many renewed attractions, of which Star of the Future! (substitute Images Studio ), the Legend of the Black Standard to the Kinémax , a dynamic film Danger on Akryls with the Dynamic 1 , and Closed Large Eyes , a course in the black in the world of the blind men, presented by blind guides, with the House of the Communication . In February, opening of Kegopolis Warriors , play life size, with the Quoted of Numerical the . The April 27th, the Park receives its 30 millionth visitor, and takes again his place of 2nd recreation park more visited France and of 5th of Europe. Rehabilitation of the shops of the entry: Counter of Vienna , Spatium Bazaar , H2O , Signs of the World , the Alambik in Bombek . New handset in the World of the Children: the Beam of Fortiches .

2006 : Opening of the February 5th to the December 31st. a new film in relief with the IMAX 3D , the Lord of the Boxing ring . This year, the Park innovates under the sign of the Année of the Robots : the April 5th, inauguration of Dance with the Robots in new the House of the Robots , attracting approximately 15% visitors moreover than the last year for the only month of April. The Park coédite also with FYP Editions the book extraordinary Robots , reversed chronology of the Robot S in all the fields of 2050 with 1950. A robot painter and robot-dogs Aibo of Sony also arrive at the Cité of Numerical the . the Zoo of the Robots presents to the 360° an exposure of 6 animated robots explaining the anatomy of animal truths. A new night spectacle, the Forest of the Dreams , also forms part of the innovations of the year. Arrival of three new shareholders (Case of the Deposits, Unibail, I.Parks).

2007 : Opening of the February 10th to the January 6th 2008. New films renewed IMAX: Under the Seas of the World to the Solido and Blue Nile Forwarding with the Kinémax . Vienna Dynamique becomes Vienna Dynamique + of effects. The photographic exposure " the Sibérienne" Odyssey; by Nicolas Vannier is also enriched, another photo exposure over the 20 years of Futuroscope is born. The Park opens its doors with art while accommodating in its alleys of works of Land-art and the sculptures of Jean-Louis Toutain. In April, new watery attraction (Splash Battle), Mission Splashes , with the Monde of the Children , to replace the buoys. Still five new films with the Better of Dynamics . The Cinéma 360° represents Couleurs Brazil at the time of high multitudes. The logo of 2002 is slightly modified, obtaining curves, a such floral composition. The Park celebrates its twentieth birthday the June 2nd with a concert event in partnership with the radio Alouette. The July 9th, the Park also accommodates the television game Intervilles, on the Lake with the Images.

2008 : Still some innovations in prospect, of which: '' The Animals of the Future '', a new attraction of the type dark-wrinkle , using the technology of the increased Reality, will be presented in a new house which will open its doors in spring 2008, between the Jardins of Europe and the Pavillon of Vienna ; the Citadel of the Giddiness , course-spectacle presented to the 360° ; like two new films, Dinosaurs with the Omnimax (in the place of the Legend of the Black Standard ), and Lapland Express train , with the Dynamic Cinema 1 (in the place of Danger on Akryls ), presented as of December 2007.

Attractions

Programming 2007

Here the attractions present on the program 2007, classified according to their classification:

1. The Legend of the Black Standard (Omnimax) : Imax film, hemispherical screen, 50 min

2. Danger on Akryls (Dynamic 1) : Dynamic film, 5 min

3. The City of Numerical the (House of Futuroscope) : Free access

4. Dance with the Robots (House of the Robots) : Robocoaster, 5 min

5. The Challenge of Atlantis (Dynamic Imax 3D) : Imax film, dynamics, 3D, hemispherical screen 5 min

6. Star of the Future! (Images Studio) : Dark-wrinkle 15 min

7. Under the Seas of the World 3D (Solido) : Imax film, 3D, hemispherical screen 25 min

8. Wings of Courage (House of the Communication) : Film 3D 40 min

9. Blue Nile forwarding (Kinémax) : Film Imax 25 min

10. The Gyrotour : 5 min

11. Mission: Splash! 4 min (as from April)

12. The Virtual worlds (Imax 3D) (two films in alternation): Imax films, 3D

Cyberworld 32 min
the Lord of the boxing ring 40 min

13. The Best of Dynamics (Dynamic 2) (5 films in alternation): Dynamic films 5 min

Olympic Bobsleigh
Street Toboggan (Toboggan of Street)
Runaway Train (the Insane Train)
Whitewater Rafting
Alpine Express train

14. Travellers of the Sky and the Sea (Magic Carpet) : Film Imax (two screens) 16 min

15. Destination Cosmos (Aquascope) : Film, hemispherical screen 25 min

16. Dynamic Vienna + of Effects (House of Vienna) : Dynamic film 21 min

17. Gardens of Europe : Free access

18. Le Monde of the Children : Plays Free access

19. Cyber Which occurred : Free access

21. The Siberian Odyssey : Exposure photo Free access

22. Closed Large Eyes (House of the Creativity) : 20 min

23. The Forest of the Dreams (Lake with the Images) : 25 min

24. Watery imagination (Lake With the Images) : 7 min

25. Magic illusions (Imagic) : 25 min

Exposures

Land Art
the Siberian Odyssey: photograph of Nicolas Basket maker
sculptures of Toutain
the gardens

Restorations and Shops

There are eight restaurants in the enclosure of the Park:

Planet Burger (fast-food)
the Crystal (kitchen of the future)
KaDéliceScope (kitchen " moléculaire" gastronomical and dressers)
Savors of the Sun (pizzeria & kitchen of the sun)
Studio-Grill (grills)
the Lake (cafet speciality mould-chips)
the Flying Pancake (pancake shop saladery)

To these eight restaurants ten points of fast-food industry are added, the Illico Resto .

Eight shops are also present on the Park.

At the entry of the Park:

Spatium Bazaar
Counter of Vienna
H2O
Signs of the World

In the Park:

Stopover Shopping (Destination Cosmos)
Numerical Shop (City of Numerical)
Star of the Future! (attraction éponyme)
Freeze frame (close to Burger Planet)

To these shops are added points of photo-captures with attractions:

Dynamic Vienna
Dance with the Robots
the Challenge of Atlantis
Star of the Future!

Structure

The Pavillons of Futuroscope are signed by the architect Denis Laming. Here the list of the years of opening of the principal buildings:

The Pavillons of Futuroscope are mainly made up of Métal and Verre, of the modern materials which give to the buildings forms, simple or complex textures, as of true works of art which the eye likes to observe.

The Technopolis of Futuroscope

Under the impulse of the General advice of the Vienna, developed on 200 hectares around the park a Technopole, organized in 5 teleports, in permanent construction. More than 160 Entreprises are installed on the site for a surface of more than 150.000 m ² of offices. In 2006, the technopolis built in more 25.000 m ² of offices which can accommodate any types of companies. A hotel park proposes 2.000 rooms active from one to four stars. The Technopolis attracted approximately 3.000 students and a little more than 700 researchers who work in Laboratoire on the studies Aérodynamique S, the Combustion S, the Mécanique and the Physique of the Matériaux, but also in the fields of the Aéronautique, the Biomécanique S and the New technologies. The technopolis of Futuroscope also has about fifty meeting rooms of all capacities in addition to the Palate of the congresses of 8.000 m ².

The site includes/understands inter alia the buildings of the Cned, the Lycée-pilote innovating (LPI) of Jaunay-Clan), a training in Economic Intelligence and one in Communication with the ICOMTEC, an antenna of ESCEM, a formation of the Faculty of Law of Poitiers (the Magistère in right of the TIC), part of the Faculty of Science of Poitiers (SP2MI) and ENSMA since 1991), IAAT, a Palate of the Congress (1995) replacing the old one before within the Park, like since end 2006 , an antenna of CNASEA, directions of Carglass and Aréas.

Between difficulties and success

The Park of Futuroscope was announced like a park turned towards the future and proposing films increasingly more innovative and regularly renewed in a technological context increasingly more advanced. The acknowledged goal was to take full the eyes of them and to feel a maximum of strong feelings. The beginnings are indeed very promising and the visitors are with go. The number of visitors increase gradually passing from 255.000 visitors to his opening in 1987 up to 1.000.000 visitors in 1991. The park reaches even in 1997, year of its 10th birthday, the bar of the 2.900.000 visitors.

But starting from 1998, the park knows a slow decline leading to losses in 2001 of about 7,6 million euros. Futuroscope passes very close to the bankruptcy in 2002. It is then reinstated in the public domain in December in the form of a Société of local mixed economy (SEML). To explain his difficulties, a lack of renewal of his attractions is called upon. Dominique Hummel takes the direction of the park and fixes a development policy of new ambitious projects. The park then aims the 2 million visitors for 2002, objective missed with 1,3 million visits. In 2004, an offensive tariff policy is installation with a reduction of the entrance fees for the young people.

However, the park receives only 1,43 million visitors in 2005. He announced a turnover of 59 million euros, in rise of 10% and devotes to the communication a budget equivalent to 10% of this turnover. This investment makes it possible to instigate the park and to attract the one year old visitors on the other. The rate of visitors who return went back to 60%, after having fallen to 40% a few years ago. In 2006, the park opens its doors for the first time on the topic in vogue of the Robot S with attractions like Danse with the Robots while accommodating more than 1,4 million visitors, that is to say a level comparable with 2005.

The park carries out 10% of its sales on Internet. Its customers are to 90% Frenchwoman, but it also accommodates customers Spanish and British, raises some thanks to the flights Low-cost. 20% of the visitors are school complexes, more than 5,5 million since 1987. It also carries out 5% of its turnover with customers of businesses, in particular in January, when the park is closed with the public.

Report/ratio of the Court of Auditors: the hour of first official results

In February 2007, the Court of Auditors devoted a part (pages 458 to 465) of his annual report to the " Futuroscope" file; and draws up first official results about the Amusement park. It appears in particular that more than 240 million euros of public funds were devoted to this initiative of the General advice of the Vienna and that the future of the Park is particularly dubious.

This report/ratio takes again in a synthetic way two reports/ratios of final observations carrying one on the management of the company of local mixed economy exploiting the park of Futuroscope and the other on the department of Vienna, made public beginning 2007.

Rapport devoted in 2006 to the Park of Futuroscope
Rapport devoted in 2006 in particular with the sale and the repurchase of the park by the department of Vienna

Before, the regional court of the accounts had already examined certain related aspects in Futuroscope:

Report/ratio devoted in 2002 to the investments of the department of Vienna in the park,

Report/ratio devoted in 2006 to the Palate of the Congresses of Futuroscope.

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