SouthWest France

Futuroscope ~ is a fantastic theme park exploring state-of-art visual technology in a futuristic architectural environment. Attractions include the "magic carpet" cinema, with one of its two screens placed on the floor, creating the sensation of "flying" over land. The crystal-like Kinemax has the biggest screen in Europe.

Url ~ http://www.futuroscope.com

La Rochelle ~ a commercial centre and busy port since the 11th century, has suffered much from a distressing tendency to back the wrong side - the English and the Calvinists, for example. Ultimately this led to the vicious razing of the town by Cardinal Richelieu in 1628, which is why there is little in the historic centre dating from before that time. The glory of La Rochelle is the old harbour surrounded by stately buildings. The harbour is now the biggest yachting centre on France's Atlantic coast. On the either side of its entrance are Tour de la Chaine and Tour St-Nicolas. A huge chain used to be strung between them to ward off attack from the sea.

La Rochelle is easy to explore on foot, though its cobbled streets and many arcades can be impossibly congested in high summer.

Url ~ http://www.tourisme-larochelle.com
Url ~ http://www.larochelle.fr