Futuroscope embraces immersive experiences to captivate visitors, transforming them from spectators to participants within attractions. Creative Director Olivier Heral highlights the importance of storytelling through immersive technology, while new aquatic cinema combines poolside enjoyment with animated displays. Yannis Marchet introduces innovative LED technology that enhances visual experiences, mirroring trends in the U.S. where spherical venues host major events. The approach attracts younger audiences, as seen in Paris’s immersive art exhibitions, which draw millions annually by offering engaging alternatives to traditional museums.
‘We felt like we were inside a tornado’. As guests exit the attraction, many struggle to find the right words to express their astonishing experience. ‘It’s truly immersive; you feel like you’re part of the scene’, one attendee exclaimed. Immersion is indeed the focal point of this attraction. ‘Creating an immersive environment is crucial because it allows us to narrate stories in a compelling way. You transition from being just a viewer to an active participant, and that’s what we define as true experience, a concept that is fresh and resonates well with the audience’, shares Olivier Heral, Creative Director at Futuroscope.
The magic of immersion not only captivates visitors but also fosters loyalty among them. The park has even integrated this immersive concept into its newly launched aquatic zone this summer. Amidst thrilling slides and floating fun, colorful lights transform the floors and walls into a whimsical environment. Additionally, a short animated film is displayed on a large canvas that envelops the pool, marking the debut of aquatic cinema. ‘Managing video editing is part of daily life for many, and by leveraging that, we are creating relatively innovative experiences for our guests, which is a delightful surprise’, commented a pool-goer.
It’s like opening your window at home and discovering a breathtaking view, only to realize it’s actually an LED screen!
It’s like opening your window at home and discovering a breathtaking view, only to realize it’s actually an LED screen!
Yannis Marchet, Development and Projects Manager at Futuroscope
Curiosity awaits beyond the doors as Yannis and his team conceptualize and develop the park’s attractions. In his workshop, he’s eager to showcase the groundbreaking innovation that has revolutionized the field in recent years. ‘It’s encapsulated in this small panel, which is really a sophisticated piece of electronics composed of a multitude of tiny LEDs. By arranging these panels together, we can create images of any size, resulting in incredibly sharp displays. It’s akin to opening a window at home, revealing a stunning landscape that’s actually an LED screen’, explains Yannis Marchet, Head of Development and Projects. This technology is gaining momentum rapidly, particularly in the U.S., where entertainment is becoming increasingly spectacular.
Just last year, Las Vegas introduced an enormous spherical venue that boasts the largest screen globally, with tickets priced at 800 euros. Since then, various smaller venues have launched in different American cities, showcasing rounded screens that broadcast live sporting events, creating the thrilling sensation of being in a spacious grandstand. This trend is also making waves in cultural settings.
In Paris, the Dôme des Invalides now hosts mesmerizing light shows, while an innovative museum housed in a former foundry offers immersive exhibitions. Within this dimly lit space, art pieces are projected onto towering 10-meter walls, accompanied by music, attracting one million visitors annually. ‘It’s fantastic! This type of exhibition offers a refreshing contrast to traditional displays found in museums’, a tourist remarked. ‘We understand that immersive art allows us to connect with a broader and younger audience. Instead of just scrolling through TikTok, we provide an engaging opportunity to experience a genuine exhibition featuring Klimt’s works’, noted Grégoire Monnier, Studio Director at Culturespaces for the Atelier des Lumières. The average age of visitors here is 42, significantly younger than the typical 60 at conventional museums.