From an environmental perspective the construction of Vulcania in the heart of the Chaîne des Puys met strong opposition from conservationists.

Visitors approach a 'metaphorical Volcano'[1] by descending down a ramp towards a cone-shaped structure clad in dark stone and lined on the inside with a gold metal.

The design incorporates research and conference facilities, large IMAX theaters, greenhouses to highlight the positive effects of volcanism — fertility — and a restaurant with views out to the whole nature park.

It was specifically implemented to improve the rate of revisits and encourage visitors to spend an entire day exploring the different areas, rather than half-day as is usually the case for museums.

It is also the secret base of Captain Nemo in Walt Disney's film version of Jules Verne's 1870 novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas, but it is not mentioned in the original novel.