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KeswickFoodie
You can have a very full day out with your family here. It is not cheap but there is plenty to do and there are good facilities.The outside space is very nicely designed, with stylish details, and there are some fantastic and unusual play areas for children.Inside, there is loads to do but what disappointed me is that not much of it is truly hands-on. Instead it is based on spectacle. There are various immersive experiences focussing on different aspects of volcanoes (religious, geological etc). There are lots of special effects, 3D films, shaking floors etc but you are basically a spectator. We bought the audio guide (free for children) as it promised a translation of all the French. It was good in some places but sometimes it was difficult to find the right translation and sometimes the technology broke down.A highlight was the 3D film imagining the volcanic chain of the Auvergne erupting again in the future. This was very well done, with a bit of humour so not too alarming, but also with some of the best 3D effects I've seen (and I'm not normally a fan of 3D films).All in all the experience was fun and quite memorable, but not intellectually exciting.
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gouldian
I am normally not rude. However this attraction was a total waste of my time. I can only assume Managment are inept, or they don't want English tourists which is their right, however don't waste my time, and I do not want to hear any cr*p about learning French when I am only going there for five days. The train ride was good and the lady in charge of that spoke good English and was very informative. From there it was all down hill. We were the only one's there at the time. A coach load of English tourists who in the main, only spoke a few French words such as Merci, Bon Jour etc. The video they played giving the history of the volcano was in French. The forgot the English subtitles. They did apologise for this. That's fine, we all make mistakes. But then there was a second informative video which was also only in French! Once maybe, but twice is just taking the p>>s. Unless you speak fluent French, don't bother. There toilets were spotless.
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mamabeachy
I've long been a fan of the Auvergne and have been pleased to see tourism increase over the last 20 years, so was determined to like Vulcania in spite of my local friends' scepticism. In the event it was a massive disappointment. Attractions are spread higgledy piggledy with no sense of education about volcanoes. You queue (in summer anyway) on average 45 minutes for a 5 minute generally disappointing "ride" using some movement or film. In 3 hours, we went on 3 rides.... My daughter doesn't speak French and there was very little in English for her to see. The static balloon was closed due to "weather conditions" (it seemed fine to me).I paid almost 100 euros for the 4 of us and it was a complete disappointing waste of money.The new train service up the Puy de Dome however, is a great success and happy to see it!
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Joingien
A good site to visit in the rain!There is not enough information about volcanoes but the photos and guides are excellent. It really helped that people with a handicap are treated as special with a parking near the entrance and the possibility to "jump the queue" if you have a special bracelet ( obtained at the desk after presentation of your blue card). Most of the visit is in French (normal as this is in France!) so avoid La Planete Devoilee unless you are fluent. Restaurants are quick and clean (19.90€ euros for a 2 course meal with regional dishes and a cheese platter where you help yourself.)The best rides are Dragon Ride and La Reveil des Auvergnes but the others are not really worth the queue. Go early as it was packed in the afternoon.
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aspensamantha
Wasn't sure what to expect of this place, but we were pleasantly surprised.I had emailed ahead of time to see if it would suit taking a five year old and they were very helpful with their response. They have what they call 'dynamic' attractions which are basically 3D with moving seats and special effects (water, air, heat etc.). My son was able to go into all of them and really enjoyed it and we did too. The balloon was closed due to weather and the restaurant was also, unfortunately, closed. There seemed to be a large outdoor space but, due to rain, we were not able to enjoy. It appears there is still alot of work going on in the park so it will be interesting to see it when it is complete. There were also outdoor picnic areas.The biggest downside was the lack of English translation. You can pay for an audio-guide, but we didn't. There are some exhibits and the explanations (except a few) are only in French, so we didn't feel we could fully appreciate the whole experience.Overall, we thought it was great fun, half a day was plenty if it is raining. I wouldn't say I would want to travel more than an hour to get there though.
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Thathanka
Being geology fan I couldn't miss opportunity to visit Vulcania. Unfortunately this visit was a chain of disappointments: level of knowledge was for 6 year old, poor audio guiding, almost no support for non-French speaking person, static balloon (the only attraction which could save this trip) and closed restaurant. Although shaking platforms in most of show rooms may be attractive and funny for some people (kids, I guess), adults will be bored. For me it was lost time and money. Better go climb the volcano and enjoy beauty of local nature.
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PARIS522
We had some idea of what to expect via its web site so wasn't disappointed - except the static balloon wasn't in service!!The "educational" side to the experience is 100% brilliant! Guides interact in lectures, show knowledge and passion on their subject - but you need more than a smattering of french to be able to understand! The rides/experiences are a mixed bunch of events. The 3D stuff is excellent, the simulator events, not so. they really should get someone from the Disney/Universal stable in to advise.Lots to see and do, drinks.food, not cheap but certainly not overly expensive, Euro 2.95 for a 33cl tin of lager.Well worth the visit, definitely singular, not plural!
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jlmwinters
Typical French the way this was set up, but it's mainly for school field trips. Children might enjoy it, but for adults it's a waist of time to my opinion, better go hiking in the beautifull region of the Auvergne and see why this truly is the most beautifull province in France. It's always the warmest spot in France as the city of Clermon-Ferrand is build in a sort of 'bowl' (landscape wise). If you want to see some nice old vulcano's, simply go to 'le Cratère', Pontgibaud of Volvic.
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bigaitchLiverpool
I visited Vulcania with my two younger kids, (8 and 11), and they loved it. It is a collection of exhibits, pictures and movies all about volcanoes, combined with many 3D / 4D rides and shows with exploding volcanoes and trips into lava chambers etc. Outside is a pic-nic area. You could spend a full day here , but half a day seemed enough. decent price 80 euros for 4 of us.
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AnnMiro
We had a business event there, it was a standing cockail party, the place was nice, and the 3D film was also nice experience
