There are new rumblings through the ancient volcanic landscape of Frances Auvergne region. Gillian Thornton thrilled to a unique kind of theme park.
5 December 2005
As the red hot lava pushed relentlessly forward in a glow of eerie light, it wasn’t hard to imagine the reality of the images shown on screen. In the background, a constant rumbling was broken by the sound of further explosions and beside us lay the chilling wrecks of cars and buildings caught up in the killer flow.
For some people in inhospitable climes, this vivid simulation represents an ever-present fear, so it was something of a relief to leave the thunder of volcanic eruptions behind and enter the tranquillity of a volcanic garden where tree ferns and other exotic species thrive in a subtropical glasshouse. One of many benefits, we learnt, of rich volcanic soil. Welcome to Vulcania, the world’s only volcanic theme park which has enthralled more than 1.6 million visitors since it first opened in spring 2002.
Located at Saint-Ours les Roches near Clermont-Ferrand, it lies in the heart of the Parc Naturel Regional des Volcans d’Auvergne and is guaranteed to both educate and entertain, whatever your level of interest. France certainly isn’t the first European country you think of when it comes to volcanoes, but turn the clock back 25 million years and the story was very different. Multiple eruptions reshaped the centre of the country and brought mineral-rich water gushing to the surface, which is much prized to this day for its therapeutic and wellbeing properties. Just think Vichy, Volvic and Evian. But it was relatively recently – in geological terms at least – that the most dramatic volcanic landscape was shaped in central Auvergne.
The grass-covered volcanic cones of La Chaene des Puys were formed between 7,500 and 15,000 years ago, more than 80 of them stretching for 40 Kms in an unmistakeable silhouette. Now there’s a new peak amongst the spectacular Auvergne scenery – the concrete cone of Vulcania which mirrors the shape of the extinct volcanoes on all sides. The buildings have been carefully designed to blend into the landscape and three-quarters of the attraction lies underground, sculpted out of the basalt lava flows and built entirely from natural materials. Visitors wind down inside the cone through four levels of exhibits, films and interactive attractions until, 20 metres beneath the surface, they reach a meteorite 4.5 million years old.
On every level, models and interactive exhibits graphically explain everything you’ve ever wanted to know about volcanoes and more. Compare the size of famous volcanoes; examine volcanic material; and learn about volcanoes on Mars and on the sea bed. Watch the eruption of Mount St Helens, ‘fly’ over Europe’s biggest volcanoes; and relive the last hours of Pompeii. Family enjoyment is one of Vulcania’s prime aims and a new attraction opened in 2004 invites younger visitors to walk on Martian volcanoes, explore volcanoes from space, and journey to the centre of the earth. Meanwhile, under-8s can follow an adventure trail through inaccessible worlds in the new children’s gallery whilst their parents top up their own knowledge nearby. From April 2005, a new earthquake simulator will let you experience what it’s really like to feel the earth move under your feet. You’ll need five or six hours to view all the exhibits properly, follow the marked trails in the open air, and relax over refreshment in the cafe.
Enthusiasts can also take advantage of Vulcania’s comprehensive documentation centre, home to more than 3000 documents and books in French and English, plus DVDs, videos and some 4000 photographs by volcanologists Katia and Maurice Kraft. By the time you leave, the team behind Vulcania hope that you’ll not only have a greater understanding of these dramatic geological phenomena but also be fired up to get out and explore the Auvergne’s volcanic scenery at close quarters. Just hot foot it back to the car if you hear distant rumbling!
VISITOR INFORMATION
Vulcania is open from 9 February to 13 November (closed Mondays and Tuesday from Feb-March and Sept – Nov).
www.vulcania.com