Underground heat for new resort

A GEOTHERMAL lagoon in the middle of France will be the centrepiece of a new eco holiday resort to be built by Euro Disney and Pierre et Vacances.

Known as Villages Nature de Val d’Europe, the new resort will allow visitors to get closer to nature by offering a range of activities including gardening, boating, hiking, riding and visiting an organic farm.

The 3,500m2 lagoon and water park will be the biggest in Europe when the 175-hectare resort opens in 2015 on a site 6km from Disneyland Paris.

It aims to be zero carbon and zero waste, and the water will come from 1,800m below ground at 78C, saving 6,750 tonnes of CO2 a year.

Initial plans include 1,730 apartments or cottages in three villages.

These would be sold to individuals on the Pierre et Vacances holiday model.