Poitiers' best-known attraction is the giant high-tech film theme park called Futuroscope: Le Parc Européen de l'Image, 8km north of the city, a collection of virtual-reality rides which draw onlookers into the action on screen, with the result that you feel you're flying, being flung around, rocketing down a ski slope or catapulting through the solar system in a vertigo-inducing 3-D nightmare. Not for young children or faint-hearted adults.The futuristic cinema pavilions are set in several acres of greenery around a series of undulating lakes, and the fifteen screens take some getting around, with plenty of walking between them, so it's wise to arrive early to beat the huge queues. To see everything in the park in one day, with time off for lunch, takes about ten exhausting hours, and as well as seeing the screen entertainment, you should give yourself time to ride the oversized floating bicycles on the park's lakes. To orientate yourself, head first for La Gyrotour where a lift takes you to the top of the high rotating tower and you can get the full effect of the futuristic scenario. All the films are in French, with English commentaries on headphones often available, but as these are not very effective, and as it's the visual impact that's most important anyway, it's better to do without; recommended screenings are listed in this section. Apart from the films, there's a laser show, La Symphonie des Eaux, a display of music, colour and effects focused on the park's dancing fountains (shows are at 10.30pm: April–June & early Sept to Oct Sat only; July to early Sept daily). The Paris Montparnasse–Poitiers TGV stops at Futuroscope; there are also regular buses (#9, #16 or #17; €1.22 return) from Poitiers' Hôtel de Ville or gare SNCF. The park's opening hours vary with the seasons (daily: July & Aug 9am till end of laser show; Sept–June 9am–6pm; tel 05.49.49.30.80, www.futuroscope.fr). Tickets are valid for one or two days, with prices depending on season (April–August plus weekends in Sept–Nov: adult one-day pass €30, child aged 5–16 €22; adult two-day pass €57, child €40; rest of year: adult one-day pass €21, child €16; adult two-day pass €40, child €29). In the summer you can get a ticket just for the evening laser show (adult €15, child €9). To avoid queues at the park, you can purchase tickets in advance from a booth at Poitiers' gare SNCF. Food is predictably expensive inside, and a picnic lunch can cut costs substantially. There are various deals available that include admission plus a wide selection of accommodation on site, the cheapest of which costs €70 per adult in a four-bed room.
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