Le Vaisseau - Games without Frontiers

Just imagine to slip into a turtle's carapace, to direct a small crane in order to build a house or to drive with a wheel chair over obstacles - there would not be many children not having fun with that. These activities and others take place for three to 15 year olds at a science and technology centre in Strasbourg - handicapped accessible.

Since the beginning of the year, Le Vaisseau is open to the public. Inside the large building and from July onwards as well in the huge garden, science and technology take centre stage in a manner that is suitable for children. Exhibitions and experiments are presented in three languages - English, German and French. The project's target is to pay special attention to people with handicaps.

The core of the modern science centre is made up of an interactive exhibition of which around 60 percent are usable as well for physically and mentally disabled. Four different themes are being addressed: "The world and I”, "Discover the world of animals”, "Do it yourself” and "The secrets of pictures”. Children can race against a skeleton, slip into animal's bodies, plan a house and build it or take a look at film making.

Additionally, two changing special exhibitions per year and an educational garden that opens up in July top the offer. Outside the kids can explore the surroundings on certain trails, enter small theme buildings and use playgrounds. In order to enable as many children as possible to join into the activities, the main building and the garden are built at the same level. Lighting and font size are adjusted to special needs. And at the entrance, a specialist takes care of providing families with a disabled child with recommendations and an adapted program for the stay at the centre.

Nevertheless, not only the barrier free use of Le Vaisseau is being considered, the concept also plans the integration of a mixed public. Therefore, children from five years of age and older get to know in experiments the everyday situations of handicapped people - the themes: "In the darkness…” or "If you were not able to move anymore”.

Le Vaisseau
Strasbourg
France

Tel.: +33 (0) 3 88 44 44 00
E-Mail: info@levaisseau.com
Internet: www.levaisseau.com

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 10 am - 18 pm (first three weeks in September closed)

Entrance fee: Adults 8 €, Children (3-18 years) 7 €, Groups from school (Reservation necessary) 5,50 € per person