There is no greater Theme park in France than Puy de Fou. Forget Disney, and Futuroscope. It has even been voted the best park in Europe, and has expanded to include a Spanish history themed park in Spain. Read more about the most famous amusement park in France: the Puy du Fou.
I have taken great joy each time I send travelers to this park, and this is especially because it does not have the highest profile overseas. It’s practically unknown, and yet, I would hazard that a visit here marks a traveler perhaps more than a tour of Mont St Michel or even the Louvre. The park has significant history, and of course it is based on the history of certain region of France. The best way to see the park is to coordinate a visit to coincide with the epic show – the Cinéscenie. This article outlines what you will see if you choose to come and visit.
The 1970s saw the establishment of the park by Philippe de Villiers, a twenty-seven-year-old student (now a French politician). In 1977, he discovered the ruins of an old renaissance castle in the village of Les Epesses near Cholet, and wrote a scenario about a local family named Maupillier (the real name of a soldier of Vendée at the time of the conflict between Vendée and the French Republic during the French Revolution), spanning from the fourteenth century until World War II. Phillippe de Villiers created an association of 600 members (3650 today) named “l’Association du Puy du Fou” and put on the first representation of the ‘Cinéscénie’ in 1978. It didn’t have great initial success, but that quickly changed by the end of the first season, and with that success, the show grew into a huge spectacular. The Grand Park of the Puy du Fou was opened near the Cinéscénie in 1989 and is split into 26 main shows, each running for approximately 30 – 40 minutes.
- The Secret of the Lance is set in front of the battlements of a Middle Age Castle. It relates the story of a young shepherdess who must defend alone her castle’s tower against English knights, helped by a lance with supernatural powers.
- The Vikings is set in a reconstructed 1000-year-old fortress that is attacked by a Viking Longship. The story begins with a marriage in the village, just before the arrival of a Viking longboat. Special effects include the emergence of a longboat from under water.
- Triumph’s Sign is set in a replica of an amphitheatre that is 115 meters long and 75 meters wide. It recreates the Gaul atmosphere during Roman times. It features a traditional parade of people and animals, gladiatorial combat, chariot racing and executions. It is set during the time of Diocletian, when there was great unrest.
- The Phantom Birds Dance is a show set to a mysterious story. Dozens of birds of prey surge from the ruins and swoop low over the heads of the visitors. The falcons are placed on the heads of some visitors wearing hats provided by the falconers. Many of the larger birds are released from a balloon floating far overhead. This ends with around two hundred birds flying at once above the audience.
- Richelieu’s Musketeers features musketeers performing swash-buckling sword fighting and Gypsy girls Flamenco dancing in water. Horses also perform special trotting/jumping techniques.
- Le Dernier Panache which follows the destiny of a French naval officer, François de Charette de La Contrie, a hero of the American War of Independence, whose life will change dramatically in 1793, in a last fight for freedom.(Thea award for outstanding achievement 2017)
- Les Noces de Feu. During the night, this show takes place completely on the water and depicts a love story between two musicians.
The above spectacles are presented in French, but electronic translators are available. Other smaller spectacles are available only in French such as the following top rated list:
- Les Chevaliers de la Table Ronde
- Les Amoureux de Verdun Winter 1916 trench walk-through based on lovers’ letters (Thea award for outstanding achievement 2016)
- Le Mystère de La Pérouse (European top new attraction 2018)
- Le Premier Royaume (Live entertainment of the year 2019)
- La Renaissance du Château
- Les Automates Musiciens du Bourg 1900 (musical show)
The main show takes place in the evening on a huge outdoor stage behind the ruined castle. It tells the story of the 700 years of history in the area. The Cinéscénie boasts the largest stage in the world, 1 200 actors, hundreds of horses and about 800 fireworks per performance. All of the dialogs is in French, but translation headsets are available in 5 different languages. All of the actors and actresses (even the children) come from the local villages and are volunteers. The Cinéscénie is only performed during peak season. It is bookable separately and has a separate entrance. Tickets are really hard to get, and should be booked a long time in advance.
If the video does not convince you (it will), then the following awards list will.
- 2011: Puy du Fou won the silver Jupiter at the “Internationale des Feux Loto Quebec”, the greatest international competition of pyrotechnic at Montréal.
- 2012: Puy du Fou received the « Thea Classic Award 2012 », for “outstanding, breakthrough visitor attractions that have stood the test of time” at Los Angeles.
- 2013: it was titled “best European theme park” by the Parksmania Awards in Italy.]
- 2014: it received the Applause Award from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.
- 2017: it received the “Hall of Fame Award” at Orlando in Florida during the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo
The region of Vendée is perhaps not that well known but the appeal of bigger cities nearby like Nantes, and La Rochelle, certainly justify the journey if you think that the Puy de Fou does not. If you were to come ‘out west’ then consider Nantes for the history surrounding the author Jules Verne, and la Rochelle is simply a stunning old port city. We sometimes use the hotels and chateau hotels surrounding the park. This works really well for transport after the night show.
Ask us to put a superb stay at Puy de Fou in your next vacation through France. Perfect for kids, and adults alike. There are several amazing hotels inside the Park that are absolutely magnificent:
- The Gallo-Roman villa
- The Renaissance cité
- The Citadel
- The Merovingian village
- The residence inspired by Versailles
- The authentic 18th century Vendée lodging
If you enjoyed this blog post on the most famous amusement park in France: the Puy du Fou, I recommend you to read our listing of the 10 castles you must see when you travel through Europe. When traveling here, it is inevitable to come across some magnificent castles! There are so many that it is nearly impossible to list them all.
