Vulcania is a Center of scientific culture around the volcanicity.

It bears also the name of European Center of volcanicity.

It is with Saint-Bear-the-Rocks, in the Puy-de-Dôme, to 15 km of Clermont-Ferrand.

Vulcania is one of the projects which was due to heart with Valery Giscard d'Estaing, then president of the District council of Auvergne. The Vulcania park opened its doors the February 20th 2002. The activity is managed by the Société of mixed economy Volcans. Its establishment in the middle of the Chain of the puys, met a sharp opposition in the defenders of nature whereas its promoters proposed the rehabilitation and the depollution of an army ground occupied by hydrocarbon deposits.

The Austrian architect Hans Hollein drew an open unit incorporating a monumental cone referring, by his form, in Puys of the Regional natural park of the Volcanos of Auvergne.

• In 2002, Vulcania accommodated 626.756 visitors of which thirds of groups

• In 2003, they were 584.189
• In 2004, it accommodated 420.777 visitors but that did not prevent a deficit Net of exploitation of 1,707 M€.
• In 2005, the park accommodated only 355.866 visitors, increasing the full number of visitors to a little less than 2 million since the opening.

Vis-a-vis the reduction in the activity, SEM Volcans had to reduce its manpower of half. The contract of leasing with the SEM was denounced the July 12th 2005. The Area launched a call for candidate for an new agreement of leasing with resulting whose the SEM Volcans was retained. The Area thus remains owner of Vulcania, his management being entrusted to the SEM Volcans.

• In 2006, the frequentation still moves back with 210.000 visitors, in spite of new efforts authorized to start again it.

• In May 2006 the District council of Auvergne thus had to engage a revival program to which only the elected officials Verts were opposed.

• the March 21st 2007 was launched new Vulcania which is a prefiguration of what Vulcania 2 will be (envisaged in 2008). Investments were authorized to increase the number of ludic attractions within the park in order to change its image and to attract new more avid visitors of strong feelings than of pure scientific informations.

See too

• Path of great excursion GR. 4
• District council of Auvergne

External bond

• Site of Vulcania
• Detailed informations, easy ways, actus in connection with Vulcania
• Photographs
• Article-test in connection with Vulcania.

Random links:

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