It was the dream of Katia and Maurice Krafft to create “Volcania”, a science park in the heart of the Puy-de-Dôme.
In 1992, the Auvergne Regional Council decided to launch a scientific park and a museum of volcanism and to set it up in the heart of the chaîne des Puys, on the territory of the Regional Natural Park (a former military field of 57 ha).
In 1994, the project (architecture and scenography) was entrusted to the Austrian architect Hans Hollein.
The investment, worth around €123 million, was financed at 85% by the Region, 10% by Europe and 5% by the State.
On 20 February 2002, Vulcania, owned by the Regional Council, opened its doors to the public. Its operation was entrusted to the SEM Volcans, with two main objectives:
This twofold objective sums up the particularity of Vulcania:
The balance between these two requirements, both a scientific park and a family attraction, although not always easy to achieve since the park opened, is what makes Vulcania so special and gives it its identity.