Vienne is unspoilt, rural, and authentic. An ever-expanding range of tourist attractions means, however, that the department hosts 4.5 million tourists a year.
The best known is Futuroscope, a video rides theme park loosely based around imagining the future. With a massive range of huge cinema screens offering all kinds of experiences, it has something for everyone.
The same company has also constructed Aquascope right next door which, as the name suggests, is a water theme park but with amazing video effects.
Imagine dipping your feet in water which appears to be navy blue, or watching a film while lounging in a swimming pool with special effects giving the impression that meteors are landing in the water.
There is space for 1,500 visitors at a time, and when it is full you have to queue for everything. Most of it is indoors, but one of the giant slides ends outside and there is an outdoor swimming pool and sunbathing area.
Futuroscope has something for everyoneLe虂a CHEZE
Reservations are obligatory and ticket prices start at around 鈧�50.
Swimming and sports
Vienne is however stuffed with swimming pools, and 'plans d'eau' where you can swim for free, albeit without the disco lights.
The Aire de Loisirs in Queaux for example, has lake swimming (with lifeguards in July and August) plus a paddling pool, a playground, volleyball court, ping-pong tables, boules, fishing and hiking trails. There are also toilets, picnic spots and free public barbecues
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Zoo and marine life
Other attractions include La Vall茅e des Singes, a zoo containing all kinds of monkeys.
The Aquarium de Loudun hosts a small collection of freshwater fish, Les G茅ants du Ciel offers a falconry display, and the Terre de Dragons is a zoo containing crocodiles, alligators and large tortoises.
Adrenaline junkies are also well catered for with centres offering hot air balloon rides (Montgolfi猫re Centre Atalantique in Chatellerault), bungee jumping, (Oxygene40 in Isle-Jourdain), flying a microlight (Guynem'Air ULM in Saint-Secondin - English spoken), rock-climbing (CPA Lathus in Lathus-Saint-R茅my), or car racing (Circuit du Val de Vienne).
