The planetarium site had been damaged by a fire in 2022 and the opening of this flagship attraction had to be delayed for a year.
By VD with AFP
© Rémi DUGNE / MAXPPP / PHOTOPQR/THE MOUNTAIN/MAXPPP
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Lhe Vulcania volcano-themed exploration park began its 2023 season on Wednesday with the opening of the largest planetarium in France, the site of which had suffered a fire a year ago.
The 22-meter-diameter dome can accommodate up to 300 visitors who will be immersed in the confines of the solar system and the galaxy on a curved screen, notably through the “Volcano-sidereal adventure” animation. The site carried out by the Eiffage group had been damaged by a fire on February 10, 2022 and the opening of this flagship attraction had to be delayed for a year.
“Rebuilding the building in one year is an incredible performance and we have succeeded in this challenge”, welcomed the president of Vulcania Frédéric Bonnichon, during a press conference. The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, owner of the park, has invested 10.7 million euros in this planetarium.
The park, a set of 57 hectares, revolves around three universes: volcanoes, natural phenomena and the earth in space, through animations, films on a giant screen and activities presented by scientists. A partnership was also signed on Wednesday with the CNES (national center for space studies) in order to share respective know-how.
On July 11, the Tour de France will start from Vulcania for its 10th stage to Issoire. For the occasion, the season was themed “around the three Vs: bicycles, volcanoes, vulcania”, detailed its director Sophie Rognon, presenting the various activities related to this sporting event.
More than 20 years of existence
Located in the heart of the Puys chain, listed in 2018 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vulcania, a project dear to former President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, was inaugurated on February 20, 2002. The park welcomed more than 7 million people since it opened.
A successful 2022 season
The 2021 season had been marked by a drop in attendance due to the pandemic (214,000 visitors), before it returned to a usual level in 2022 with 326,726 visitors.