Volvic (mineral water)

Volvic is a brand of mineral water. Its source lies in the Parc Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne in the Massif Central, just to the north of the Puy de Dôme. The water's distinctive mineral content is due to the nearby volcano which last erupted in 5760 BC: geologically speaking, very recently. The first of the springs in the area was tapped in 1922, and the first bottles appeared on the market in 1938. Today, Volvic waters are internationally known. Over 50% of the production of Volvic water is exported to more than 60 countries throughout the world. Two bottling plants produce over 1 billion bottles of water annually and are the principal employers of the local commune. In 1993, the Volvic Company was bought by the Danone Group.

Volvic claims to be highly aware of the environment. Since 1997, Volvic has been using PETE, a recyclable material, to make their bottles.

Volvic also produces a range of fruit extract drinks in Europe named Volvic Touch of Fruit. In 2005 they were introduced in North America under the brand Volvic natural.

George the Volcano and Tyrannosaurus Alan
Recent television advertisements for Volvic feature two fictional characters that seem to have become mascots of sorts for Volvic: a tyrannosaurus rex named "Tyrannosaurus Alan" and a volcano named "George the Volcano". George the Volcano's voice is by Matt Berry and the voice of Tyrannosaurus Alan is by Rick Buckley.

The TV adverts starring these two mascots have become popular sources of ridicule and parody amongst the Youtube community -- many videos featuring spliced and changed footage of the adverts amongst other things (CD-I games like Hotel Mario and Link: The Faces of Evil) have appeared on the website since the adverts' inception (these videos are more commonly known as Youtube Poops).