Vulcania, Theme park and volcanological museum in Saint-Ours, France.
Vulcania is a theme park and volcanological museum in Saint-Ours, France, combining scientific exhibits with interactive experiences to demonstrate geological phenomena and volcanic activities. The site includes several underground areas, projection rooms, and outdoor zones built into the hills of Auvergne.
The idea came from volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft, who died on Mount Unzen in 1991; Valéry Giscard d'Estaing took it up and the Auvergne regional council voted to launch the European volcanism centre in 1994. An international competition followed, and the council chose Hans Hollein's largely underground design over the jury's preferred Wilmotte entry. The park opened in 2002 on a former 57-hectare military depot in the Chaîne des Puys.
The park uses lava rock and local materials in its interior design, allowing visitors to touch the rough surface of volcanic formations during their tour. Many exhibits rely on simulations and films that recreate earthquakes or eruptions, offering a direct experience of geological processes.
The facility opens from March to November, with each main attraction taking between 15 and 30 minutes and the full experience lasting about half a day. The site sits on hilly terrain with some inclines, so comfortable shoes are advisable.
The cone visitors descend toward was redesigned at the regional council's request: Hans Hollein's first version resembled a nuclear plant cooling tower. Three-quarters of the foundations are sunk underground, and the site was a 57-hectare former military depot bought by the Auvergne region using its right of pre-emption.
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