It was with great anticipation that I visited Futuroscope'sAquascope at the end of this summer. This long-awaited water park had aroused my curiosity from the moment it was announced. And with good reason! As a technophile, I of course love the Futuroscope park. And it's not every day you see an iconic theme park like this one venturing into the aquatic world. And not just in any old way, of course! Aquascope promised a one-of-a-kind experience, combining thrills, technology and immersion. A risky gamble, but an intriguing one. So, after a day testing all the attractions and discovering every nook and cranny of this park, here are my impressions.
Aquascope: A park like no other
I had the opportunity to visit several water parks this summer with my family, including Aqualand in the south of France. But Aquascope is unlike any other water park. Futuroscope, true to its tradition of innovation, has taken an immersive, technological approach to designing this new space. Covering more than 6,000 m², the park offers three themed, covered universes, plus an outdoor area open in summer. From the moment you enter, you can tell that this park wants to make its mark, and sets the tone: lockers with electronic wristbands, and high-tech lighting in the showers.
No exotic decor typical of other water parks, but futuristic spaces where water and digital technology meet to offer extraordinary sensory experiences. And for those who, like me, like to be surprised, it's a real success.
The first universe, Espace Immersion, is a symphony of light and water. Imagine yourself immersed in the Abysses of Light, where video projections, choreographed water jets and digital backdrops transport you into a dreamlike world.
This fusion of digital art and water really left me speechless. It's a must-see experience at least once, especially if you love innovation and technology.
Next, the Espace Sensations is pure adrenalin. With its eight slides, including the world-exclusive Matrix, which propels you through a collective race on giant buoys, there's something for everyone. If you're a thrill-seeker, you're in for a treat!
Finally, for the very young, the Children's Area with Kraki's Rift is a truly interactive aquatic playground, where every element is an invitation to have fun.
My personal experience: a bath of sensations
When I arrived, I was immediately struck by the park's visual appeal. The lighting effects, the minimalist but effective decorations, the intelligent layout of the spaces… Everything is done to make you feel like you're in a universe apart. The use of video mapping (over 300m2!) and special effects in an aquatic environment is simply brilliant. It adds a whole new dimension to the bathing experience.
I have to admit that the Espace Immersion was my favorite. The digital projections mingling with the water jets create a magical atmosphere.
Special mention must go to the Kiné'Eau attraction, a 4D projection room where you sit in a pool to discover the story of Kraki, the extraterrestrial octopus.
The mix of technology and the aquatic element completely drew me in. It's like living in a daydream.
As for the Espace Sensations, it more than lived up to its promise. Everything is centralized in the “Hub”, a 25m-high central tower of contemporary architecture bathed in natural light. It serves 4 landings at 9 meters, 12 meters, 15 meters and 18 meters respectively, serving the 8 sensation slides.
I went down the Matrix, the park's signature slide, and what an experience! A multiple-buoy descent (up to 4, perfect for families), whirlpools and dizzying falls… All ending with a plunge that leaves you breathless. If you're looking for a thrill, this is clearly the attraction not to be missed. I also tested the “Rocket”, and I can tell you that it lives up to its name. You start up vertically, and bang! The trapdoor opens beneath your feet. It's like being catapulted into space, but in an aquatic version. I screamed like a little girl (sorry for my neighbors' ears), but what a kick! For those who like their sensations more moderate, the Sprint or Flash, less extreme but just as entertaining slides, will satisfy you.
My only downside? The wait. Of course, a brand-new park attracts a lot of people, and some attractions had long queues of almost an hour. But with a little patience and good humor, we eventually got the hang of it. And in the end, we managed to cover all the attractions in half a day.
Technological innovation is undoubtedly one of the park's greatest assets. Each attraction is designed to be immersive and unique. The Espace Immersion is a real success, offering multi-sensory experiences that will appeal to children and adults alike. What's more, the park's efforts to adopt an ecological approach are to be commended. The use of green energy and the natural water filtration system show that Futuroscope takes environmental issues to heart. Futuroscope has spared no expense for its Aquascope: with a total budget of 57 million euros, this is the park's biggest investment since it opened in 1987. Of these funds, 2.5 million have been allocated specifically to environmental initiatives. The park has implemented three key initiatives to make Aquascope an ecological model: firstly, no land has been artificialised, thanks to a building certified to the highest level of High Environmental Quality. Secondly, the park runs exclusively on green energy, with low-carbon energy sources, some of which are produced on site. Finally, water management follows a virtuous cycle to preserve this precious resource.
Of course, the park is not without its faults. The immediate success of Aquascope inevitably leads to long waiting times, especially during peak periods. Some visitors may also be disappointed by the limited size of the outdoor area, which measures just 3,500 m². Compared with other traditional water parks, this may seem small. Here we mainly have a relaxation area, a swimming pool and a river with current.
After all, the park is located in Poitiers, which doesn't enjoy the same climate as Marseille. The choice of concentrating most of the attractions indoors means they can be enjoyed all year round.
Another shortcoming, which will no doubt be corrected in the future: for understandable reasons of hygiene, you are not allowed to bring your own picnic. Fair enough. But neither is it possible to leave the park to eat outside, as all exits are final. So you have to fall back on the restaurants available in the park. At around 15 euros for a burger and fries menu, this is a reasonable price for this type of park, but the main problem is the waiting time, since there are basically only three checkouts for all park visitors (between the indoor Kobalt restaurant and the food thing in the outdoor area). This means you have to be patient. The same goes for finding a table to sit down at, as the food court is far too limited for the number of visitors (the park can accommodate up to 1,700).
Finally, of course, if you're not a fan of digital innovation, Espace Immersion may not appeal to you as much as other, more conventional water parks.
Conclusion
Aquascope is a brilliant addition to Futuroscope. The park manages to combine entertainment and technological innovation in a way I've never seen before. Admittedly, not everything is perfect, but the park is still very young, and the quality of its attractions and the originality of the universes on offer make it a must-see destination for water park fans looking for a new experience. All you need to do is plan your visit in advance, as admission is only available via online reservation and only during specific time slots.
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