Prefecture of Vienne
Population: 4,800 in Chasseneuil-du-Poitou
Specialities: farci poitevin, PDO Poitou-Charentes butter, chabichou, tourteau fromager. Nougatine du Poitou. Broyé du Poitou (dry cake). Haut-Poitou melon.
Personalities: René Monory (former mayor of Poitiers and founder of the Futuroscope). Jean-Pierre Courcol (former director of the Tour de France and the Futuroscope). Albert Ducrocq (scientist and scientific advisor to the park). Denis Laming (architect of the site).
Economy: Futuroscope, tourism, hospitality, technology park, scientific research, University of Poitiers.
Sport: Tour de France stages (1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1999, 2000)
Websites: www.futuroscope.com
Futuroscope and Cycling
The Futuroscope is well known to the women’s peloton as the park sponsored a professional team from 2006 to 2022. First named Vienne-Futuroscope, then Poitou-Charente-Futuroscope 86, it became the women's team of FDJ in 2022. The team, now home to Demi Vollering, winner of the 2023 Tour de France Femmes, is currently managed by Emmanuelle Merlot, a former member of the squad and a native of Châtellerault, about twenty kilometres from the park.
Futuroscope also hosted two stages of the women's Tour de France in the 1980s, crowning American Betsy King in 1986 with a sprint finish over Maria Canins, then German Monique Knol a year later.
Once owned by the Amaury group, like the Tour de France Femmes with Zwift, the Futuroscope has always had a good relationship with the Grande Boucle, which visited seven times between 1986 and 2000. If Spaniard Angel José Sarrapio was the first winner in 1986 and David Millar the last with the 2000 time trial, the futuristic park also hosted the Grand Départ in 1990, when Thierry Marie won the prologue and donned the Yellow Jersey. The following morning, Frans Maasen won the road stage before Panasonic dominated the team time trial. That morning stage saw an incredible breakaway by Maasen, Steve Bauer, Claudio Chiappucci and Ronan Pensec, who crossed the line ten minutes ahead of the peloton. The Yellow Jersey remained among that group (Bauer wore it for 9 days, Pensec 2 days and Chiappucci 8 days) until the eve of the finish in Paris, where Greg LeMond eventually reclaimed it.
Sights
Futuroscope Park
Development: On 3 July 2020, the Department of Vienne voted the most significant development plan in the park’s history. Named Vision 2025, the investment plan of around €300 million over 10 years includes two parts: the continued development of the current park (Futuroscope 1) with three major new attractions including Tornado Chasers and Bermuda Mission (replacing the Energy Garden in 2025), and the renewal of other pavilions and shows; and the development of a resort (Futuroscope 2) with new themed hotels and restaurants (Station Cosmos hotel and Space Loop restaurant opened on 29 April 2022, EcoLodgee in 2023) and an indoor water park (Aquascope in 2024) connected by a landscaped esplanade (Plaza and revamped main entrance in 2024).
Objective: The aim of this plan is to increase annual visitor numbers to over 2.5 million (from 1.9 million in 2019) and to lengthen the average stay, thus boosting turnover by 75% and creating 750 direct and indirect jobs. The development also focuses on environmental goals: energy transition, waste management, water use, biodiversity and transport.
Aquascope Park
Opening: Opened on 15 July 2024, adjacent to the Futuroscope amusement park. Cost of construction: €57 million.
Part of: the Futuroscope Xperiences resort, which includes Futuroscope Park, Aquascope, a 6,000-seat arena, an indoor skydiving centre, three themed hotels, and the Space Loop restaurant.
Zones: Sensation Zone (slides, Rift), Children’s Zone (Kraki's Fault), Immersion Zone (Abysses of Light).
Environmental initiative: Integrated an innovative phytopurification system using "filter gardens" to treat greywater from Aquascope, significantly reducing wastewater output.
To Eat
Spaceloop Restaurant
Opened in 2024, this spectacular restaurant delivers dishes via a rollercoaster-style rail system. Once ordered, meals travel through the restaurant and arrive piping hot at the table. A unique experience in France, created by Rollercoaster Restaurant.
La Crêpe Volante
The Raving Rabbids have taken over this crêperie, transforming its decor and menu. Galettes, salads, and mischievous crêpes delight young visitors.