4 facts about Vulcania

Vulcania makes learning fun with a range of experiences on offer: 5D films, dynamic platforms, interactive exhibitions, scientific theatre, tethered hot air balloon... the list goes on. Located in the Auvergne and surrounded by the volcanoes of the Chaîne des Puys, Vulcania invites visitors to explore and find answers to the questions kids and adults alike have about volcanoes and our planet.

Simultaneously a theme park and exploration ground, Vulcania takes visitors on an adventure rich in experiences and discoveries. For 15 years, it has been using its unique theme to make science accessible to all, with the lessons learned ranging from the most accessible to more specialist subjects. Taking the time to explore alone or accompanied by a guide, visitors to Vulcania uncover the mysteries of planet Earth through its galleries carved into a 30,000 year old lava flow. Visitors can use an interactive touchscreen table to lift the veil from the secrets of our planet and its natural phenomena. Workshops, activities, and role play also enable parents and children to understand volcanoes, earthquakes, and natural hazards through fun challenges, like saving Clermont-Ferrand from a lava flow.

Spread across 57 hectares in the heart of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Park, Vulcania lies in the shadow of some of the Chaîne de Puys’ iconic volcanoes, and offers some spectacular views. The Chaîne des Puys is a chain of 80 volcanic structures running north to south. The youngest volcanic range in mainland France, the chain is home to a remarkable collection of volcanoes with classic shapes, including cones, domes, and maars. The park also offers visitors the opportunity to take in a bird’s eye view of the chain, with a unique flight on the “Ballon des Puys”, a tethered balloon 22m in diameter filled with helium. The flight lasts around 10 minutes and ascends up to an altitude of 100m, while the pilot tells the story of the landscape fashioned by volcanic activity.

Vulcania is a family theme park where learning is fun for kids aged 3+. With activity areas designed with them in mind, the youngest visitors can start by exploring the “Cité des enfants”, where they can try their hand at working gears, water mills, and pistons in four play areas dedicated to movement, the senses, light, and water. Then they can enjoy an interactive treasure hunt: the Pitoufeu Poster Game, a trail dotted with puzzles to reveal the secrets of the volcanoes, accompanied by the mascot, Pitoufeu, before visiting the Maison de Pitoufeu, a space designed for them to learn the basics of volcanoes through observation.