Futuroscope is the second most visited theme parc in France (after Euro Disney) and yet, it seems to me, most British families know nothing about it.

The parc is unlike anything I’m aware of in the UK; essentially it uses Imax cinema technology to show films that put you at the heart of incredible events and bring to life amazing experiences.

There are more than 30 attractions to explore, with several that are brand new for 2010.

Hurricane on the Bayou – New for 2010
Hurricane on the Bayou is a thrilling story and a musical celebration of New Orleans that teaches about the importance of preserving wetlands and ecosystems.

The gigantic images on the 9,700-ft² dome screen take viewers deep into the Louisiana heartland. When the Mississippi was diverted, New Orleans was able to spread out into new zones, but doing so has resulted in massive coastal erosion. The damage to its bayous and wetlands, once natural hurricane defences, has been such that New Orleans finds itself at increasing risk from cyclones, as witnessed by the devastating effect of Hurricane Katrina.

Brush with Genius – New for 2010
This is a moving journey to the sources of the Van Gogh’s inspiration for his work. Images on the 6,500ft² screen give viewers a new perspective on his art, and makes the film an original sensory experience.

Arthur, the 4D Adventure
Arthur, the 4D Adventure from Luc Besson (director of The Fifth Element, Leon, and The Big Blue) takes the audience into the make-believe world of the Minimoys. The full array of image technologies (3D modelling, large-format IMAX 3D images, motion simulator and physical effects in the theatre) and the creative flair seen in the Minimoys world thrust visitors on a roller coaster ride of excitement and thrills.

The Future is Wild – New version 2009
Darwin’s theory of evolution throws light on how species evolved in the past, and is the inspiration for Futuroscope’s imaginative look into the future. Our visitors climb aboard expedition vehicles for an interactive augmented-reality adventure, where, kitted out with camera-binoculars and sensor bracelets, they will meet and interact with animals that could be roaming the planet millions of years from now.

Cosmic Collisions – New for 2009
This spectacular, immersive and instructive show from the American Museum of Natural History, narrated by Robert Redford, takes visitors on a breathtaking journey through time and space to witness the cosmic smashes that shape the universe. The scientific images shown on the dome screen were taken by NASA satellites and modelled to simulate cosmic phenomena in 3D.

Fly Me to the Moon, new in 2009
Be a fly on the wall inside the first moon shuttle in Fly Me to the Moon and live an incredible adventure with three stowaways.

Stay at Les Charmettes, La Pignade and Bonne Anse Plage for best access to Futuroscope.

Christophe performed his song with an 18-piece symphony orchestra, as part of rehearsals for the classical music concert, which takes place each year on the beach at Royan.

The Equinoxe bar at Les Charmettes was transformed into a rehearsal room for world famous performers including Nemanja RADULOVITCH (violin), Vanessa WAGNER (piano) and Janja VULETIC (mezzo).

Les Charmettes, La Pignade and Bonne Anse Plage are sponsors of the prestigious event.

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The theme parc, which is the second largest in France, uses a combination of films on giant cinema screens that appear above your head, below your feet and all around to give you a sense of flying, racing and rushing across incredible landscapes or through the seas. You’ll meet dinosaurs, incredible vessels and even giant robot hands that spin you round to a rock-and-roll rhythm. And if all that sounds too energetic, there are many more sedate activities when you need a breather.
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Of the new attractions, stand outs include The Blue Note Mystery Evening Show, a musical fairytale which blends giant images on water screens, special effects, lasers and lights; Cosmic Collisions, which is a film about the cosmic crashes that our shaping the universe, shown on a dome screen so the images appear above and all around you; and Fly Me To The Moon, a 3D film shown on a giant Imax screen, about three flies who space-hop on to the legendary Apollo 11 moon flight.

I love Futuroscope precisely because there is so much to interact with, and because it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen in the UK. It’s well worth a day-trip if you’re travelling to France’s west coast.

Well, France’s weather service recently reported on the phenomenen and confirmed that the region really does have its own micro-climate.

By measuring the hours of sunshine across France, they concluded that the stretch of coast just north of La Rochelle to Royan, so taking in siblu’s Les Charmettes, La Pignade and Bonne Anse Plage holiday parcs, is the sunniest on the Atlantic coast.

The reason for this is given as a clash of weather systems from Mediterranean and Scandinavia climates.

The report finds that the area averages more than 2,000 hours of sunshine every year, which isn’t quite enough to keep pace with the Mediterranean regions of Languedoc and the Cote d’Azur.

But at the risk of repeating myself: Charente Maritime has its own micro-climate that makes it the sunniest region on the Atlantic coast.

Three cheers for micro climates!