Vulcania and Le Puy-en-Velay
May 2, 2015 16:53:37 GMT
Post by Deleted on May 2, 2015 16:53:37 GMT
I found some photos from a trip I took in 2003, and they seem worthy of a mini trip report, although I am somewhat amazed that I took so few photos back in those days. The photos leave me not only wanting more but also give me an imperious desire to return there before long. I actually did return to Le Puy with my mother when I could still take her around, but almost none of those trips had any photographs since I couldn't really walk around with her or leave her even for 10 minutes. The tourism part of those trips was just what could be seen from the car.
Anyway, the first place I visited was Vulcania, an attraction devoted to the volcanic activity of the Auvergne region. It was the love child of former President Giscard d'Estaing, who was no longer president anymore other than president of the regional council of Auverne, from which he hails. It opened in 2002, so it was really quite new when I visited it. Since I was there, it has added at least 10 new attractions, so I really need to return. Reading up on it, I saw that attendance declined every year until 2007, but it has been increasing a bit since then, although it seems to still be losing money. Even though I found it to be a bit overpriced at the time, I certainly would not want it to close because it really is the only theme attraction devoted to volcanoes.
And I have no other photos of Vulcania. I have no idea whether photographs were forbidden or whether it was just too dark inside to take any photos of interest (more likely). In any case, I found the presentations of volcanoes quite interesting and there was some sort of volcanic eruption show that was suitably spectacular, but that was about it. I'm sure it's the reason that they have added a lot of stuff since then.
Anyway, the first place I visited was Vulcania, an attraction devoted to the volcanic activity of the Auvergne region. It was the love child of former President Giscard d'Estaing, who was no longer president anymore other than president of the regional council of Auverne, from which he hails. It opened in 2002, so it was really quite new when I visited it. Since I was there, it has added at least 10 new attractions, so I really need to return. Reading up on it, I saw that attendance declined every year until 2007, but it has been increasing a bit since then, although it seems to still be losing money. Even though I found it to be a bit overpriced at the time, I certainly would not want it to close because it really is the only theme attraction devoted to volcanoes.
The parking lot was in a forest.
This is the main entrance in a volcanic shape. Most of the stuff was underground when I visited.
The whole point is to descend into a sort of crater.
The view from below was really quite spectacular.
This is the main entrance in a volcanic shape. Most of the stuff was underground when I visited.
The whole point is to descend into a sort of crater.
The view from below was really quite spectacular.
And I have no other photos of Vulcania. I have no idea whether photographs were forbidden or whether it was just too dark inside to take any photos of interest (more likely). In any case, I found the presentations of volcanoes quite interesting and there was some sort of volcanic eruption show that was suitably spectacular, but that was about it. I'm sure it's the reason that they have added a lot of stuff since then.