FRENCH ACTIVITY GUIDE 2017


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Step back in time to the early 1900s with the period inhabitants of Parc le Bournat


its 40th anniversary and it’s introduced four new original creations to mark the occasion. For starters, ‘Le Grand Carillon’ is a music show with a real difference, taking bell ringing to new heights as the 70 giant bells chime to popular tunes. Meanwhile, La Citadelle hotel gives visitors the rare chance to stay in a Middle Ages-style castle, complete with a falconry housing hundreds of raptors – and when you’re the one feeling peckish, there’s a fabulous choice of places to eat, too. The recently-opened L’Ecuyer Tranchant restaurant sits within La Citadelle’s kitchens and presents generous buffets and roasted meats, while La Mijoterie du Roy Henri enables guests to dine surrounded by magnifi cent Renaissance décor. If you’ve ever wanted to feast like royalty, this is your golden opportunity! Further south in the Dordogne, Parc le Bournat is also celebrating a special event. This year is the retro theme park’s 25th anniversary and it continues to amaze with a wealth of engaging activities. Woodcarving, wheat-braiding and horse-and-cart trips all transport visitors back to the 1900s, while lively folk populate the park like characters from a period drama. Similarly to Le Puy du Fou, Parc le Bournat feels rather more like a living museum than a theme park, however it does feature a few old-fashioned fairground


148 ❘ FRANCE TODAY Apr/May 2017


attractions and fun rides for the little ones.


After you’ve stepped into the


past, it’s time to look to the future. Not too far away in Chasseneuil-du-Poitou is a celebration of multimedia technology. From the air, it looks like a scene plucked from a Ray Bradbury novel; quirky, oddly shaped structures graze the skyline and jets of water spout in ceremonial welcome. This is none other than Futuroscope, one of France’s favourite theme parks.


It was once at the forefront of trends, but certain attractions have inevitably become a little dated with time. Nevertheless, the park retains its charm and makes a great day out for the kids. Plus, 2017 sees a brand new attraction commemorating its 30th anniversary. ‘The


Extraordinary Journey’ is based on Jules Verne’s novel Around the World in 80 Days and whips guests up in the air opposite a curved 600m² screen, sending them soaring over mountain peaks and vast deserts.


Another colourful amusement park worth mentioning is Parc Astérix, a tribute to the beloved French comic book characters. There are 39 attractions, ranging from high-speed rollercoasters and big dippers to teacup rides, as well as a boat tour of the heroes’ village where you can see the zany residents in situ. Our favourite ride, however, is the Discobélix, in which guests spin on a giant discus ‘thrown’ by ❯❯


IMAGE © ODT LASCAUX-DORDOGNE


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