Winner:GOLD Best Theme Park
Who:Futuroscope Experiences - Poitiers, France
What:The first amusement park to open in France
Why:
Nestled near Poitiers in central western France, Futuroscope has been captivating families since it opened as France’s first very amusement park in 1987. Now welcoming nearly two million visitors each year, the park’s unique charm lies in its ability to spark curiosity, blending cutting-edge technology, imaginative storytelling, and playful learning in a way that delights both children and adults.
Over 40 attractions invite families on extraordinary adventures — from immersive simulators and motion-based rides to interactive experiences that feel more like discovery than amusement. Accommodation enhances the magic: Station Cosmos offers a full spaceship-themed escape, while the eco-friendly Ecolodge provides peaceful lodges overlooking ponds and nature, giving families a serene retreat close to the action.
Adding to the fun, Aquascope, the park’s new indoor water park, brings innovation to aquatic play. Covering 6,000 m², it features three immersive zones, eight thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, dynamic lighting, and interactive effects, plus an outdoor area for sunny-day enjoyment.
Our judges agreed that Futuroscope and the adjoining Aquascope are thoughtfully designed destinations where families can explore, play, and discover together. A thrilling adventure escape that kids will love.
“From arrival to rest, this is a fully immersive family escape where every detail is thoughtfully designed. From eco-lodge mornings to thrilling Aquascope adventures and unforgettable dining experiences, it offers something magical for every age—creating shared moments and memories that linger long after the stay.”
"How refreshing to see a theme park based on science, the future and technology! They have considered all their visitors from the tiniest tots, parents, kids, teens & grandparents with the fabulous accommodation and over 40 thrilling attractions. Delicious food you actually want to eat (a rarity at a theme park) a newly completed water park and exciting adventures to engage curious minds and keep the whole family happy. All just 15 minutes from Poitiers TGV station making this a stress free travel choice! "
"Futuroscope offers something that feels really different to other theme parks. I love the exciting science element, the futuristic rides and dazzling architecture that makes it feel like an exciting mini world for kids."
"Futuroscope is one of those places that genuinely surprises you from start to finish. From the beautiful, serene Ecolodgee, where breakfast is delivered to your doorstep to the incredible rides and food choices throughout the park (the Space Loop resturant is genuinely mind-blowing) , everything feels thought through. The icing on the cake is Aquascope which caters for all ages from the little ones, through to teens and adults. I enjoyed the perfect memory making weekend there."
"Lovely attractions with plenty for all the family, I love the way education and technology has was been woven into the park, especially with the BBC Earth screening. Great location and range of activities - and the eco hotel looks fab."
Groupe Scolaire
What makes it Special ...
Just 15 minutes from Poitiers airport and with its own TGV station, Futuroscope is the perfect short-break destination for families seeking a futuristic, technology-focused world of fun and discovery. With over 40 attractions, the park blends thrills, learning, and imagination—from the immersive 4D Tornado Chasers ride and Destination Mars rollercoaster, to the new robotic show Eclipse and the epic BBC Earth film Antarctica. Science, nature, and technology come alive in ways that engage children and adults alike.
On-site stays heighten the adventure: Station Cosmos immerses families in an intergalactic world, while the eco-friendly Ecolodgee offers peaceful lodges amid ponds and greenery. Dining becomes part of the fun at the RollercoasterRestaurant® Space Loop, where meals loop through the air toward your table.
Opened in summer 2024, the Aquascope water park adds another layer of excitement. Little ones delight in La Faille de Kraki with mini-slides, musical grottoes, and splash zones, while thrill-seekers tackle 24-metre-high slides like The Matrix. The Immersion Zone’s Kiné’eau merges water and visuals in a 270° multimedia spectacle, plunging visitors into a uniquely interactive aquatic adventure.
What makes Futuroscope special is its seamless mix of education and entertainment, combining high-tech experiences with imaginative storytelling, hands-on exploration, and multi-generational fun in a way that few parks achieve.
Ideal for...
Futuroscope is a family wonderland, perfect for kids, teens, grandparents, and curious visitors from around the world. Just 15 minutes from Poitiers airport, this futuristic park brings science, technology, and adventure vividly to life. Families can soar on the 4D Tornado Chasers ride, blast off on Destination Mars, marvel at the robotic show Eclipse, or explore the epic BBC Earth film Antarctica.
Stay close to the action at Station Cosmos or the eco-friendly Ecolodgee, and enjoy playful twists like the RollercoasterRestaurant® Space Loop. Aquascope, the new indoor water park, offers everything from gentle mini-slides and water mazes for little ones to adrenaline-pumping tower slides and Kiné’Eau’s multimedia water shows.
Blending thrills, learning, and imagination, Futuroscope is where families discover, play, and share unforgettable moments together.
Junior Fact File
Prices start from €841 for a family of four (2 adults, 2 children under 12) for a two-night stay at Ecolodgee on a B&B basis, including two-day tickets to Futuroscope and entry to Aquascope. Aquascope tickets must be pre-booked and are €39 for adults and €32 for children under 12.
Futuroscope is just 15 minutes from Poitiers Airport and also has its own TGV station, making it easy to reach by air or rail.
