A trip to a theme park normally involves hair-raising rides, over-priced merchandise and long queues for headline attractions.
But not so at Puy du Fou, a park set in rural west-central France that is a true departure from the norm – and a welcome one at that.
The concept of this unique theme park is simple and highly effective – performances and visual attractions that tell the story of French history, from the Ancient Times and the Middle Ages, through the Renaissance, 17th Century and Belle Époque era, to the early 20th Century.
This exciting and thought-provoking journey through time, which culminates with the First and Second World Wars, is told by skilled local artisans, primarily through professional performances, set against a backdrop of spectacular staging, props and special effects.
From burning Viking ships to knights emerging from the water around a giant ‘round table’, the stage scenery is movie-set standard and brings the story to life for the captive audience.
Not only that, but animals play a major role in charting France’s tumultuous history. In fact, there are some 1,500 wonderful creatures residing at Puy du Fou, which is located in Les Epesses, Vendeé, in the heart of the Pays-de-la-Loire region.
In Le Secret de la Lance – a 15th Century story of shining knights and a brave heroine, Marguerite, who together, defeat the English hoardes – horses dance, prance and are ridden by skilled daredevils who joust and perform death-defying acrobatics.
In Les Vikings, a jump back to the 10th Century Viking invasion, pigs, sheep and even giant hairy bison make an appearance, while a fierce-looking dog appears to maul a fallen villager.
But perhaps one of the most impressive and unusual displays where the animals take centre stage is La Bal des Oiseaux Fantômes, a 16th Century story set in the bygone days of fortified castles where characters Eloïse and Aliénor tempt dozens of birds from the castle’s ruins. Eagles, falcons, vultures, kits and owls circle the sky, brushing against the audience and swooping down onto the arms of their master falconers who orchestrate a spellbinding bird ballet.
The astounding finale brings together 210 birds in full flight – the result of 25 years of work in a display that takes your breath away.
What’s new
In 2014, Puy du Fou became France’s second most visited theme park with 1,912,000 visitors. In addition, the attraction’s overwhelming creativity was rewarded for the second time in the USA, winning the title of World’s Best Park.
This international recognition hinges on Puy du Fou’s strategy of constant re-invention, with each season presenting new challenges for the park to reveal fresh concepts.
In 2015, the Puy du Fou Grand Parc unveiled Les Amoureux de Verdun (The Lovers of Verdun) show, a moving experience that whisks the audience back to the trenches of the Great Battle of Verdun during the First World War. They become fully immersed in the daily life of a French infantryman – an intense experience where guns are fired and the thick fog is eerily brought to life.
In 2016, Puy du Fou produced an indoor show named Le Dernier Panache, which has been described as the park’s important project yet.
More than 19 million euros were invested in the construction of an impressive revolving theatre and a 360-degree set where the 32-minute show takes place.
The latest technology has been used to recount an authentic story about the destiny of an 18th Century hero between the American War of Independence and the French Revolution. Guns are fired, blood is shed, and the ships sail on real water in a tale that tugs at the heart strings.
La pièce de résistance
However, the real highlight of a trip to Puy du Fou is without a doubt, the outstanding performance around which the park concept was conceived.
In 1977, French entrepreneur Philippe de Villier created the idea of La Cinéscénie, a show telling the history of France and the Vendeé. To cater to the overwhelming success of this historical extravaganza, the Puy du Fou Grand Parc was created in 1989.
Back in 1978, when the first La Cinéscénie was performed, it featured more than 600 Puyfolais – the term used for the skilled, meticulously trained local artistes and actors involved in the production, including men, women and children. More than 80,000 visitors watched the show in its first year.
Today, a staggering 3,650 unpaid volunteer Puyfolais perform La Cinéscénie – a living showcase of French history that everyone should experience once in their lifetime.
The super-production, set around a lake on a set covering a staggering 23 hectares – the largest stage in the world – plays out over two hours, and recounts the symbolic destiny of the Maupillier family from the Middle Ages through to the Second World War.
Each show mobilises 1,480 actors, 130 horse-riders, 80 technicians and 500 people who welcome the audience and ensure their safety. All of them are either first-, second- or even third-generation Puyfolais.
Before the performance the actors prepare in what can only be described as a giant campus comprising a series of villages located around the stage where changing rooms and refreshments are located.
Manpower aside, the production also requires 24,000 costumes, 850 artifices every night, 150 waterjets, 3D mapping, more than 3,000 projectors including 480 LEDs and a sound system designed to immerse the 13,200 spectators in the action.
Puy du Fou also recently introduced 50 drones to the performance. These NEOPTERS© are designed to extend the Cinéscénie stage into the sky, adding a third dimension to the show. In what has been hailed the world’s first aerial fleet, the drones perform choreography in the air and carry illuminated scenery above the stage.
The result is an awe-inspiring spectacle that is second to none. It takes the audience on an emotional historical journey like no other.
For kids
Kids of all ages will find the shows exciting, captivating and fun, but there are plenty of additional facilities to keep them active and occupied too. Children’s attractions range from forest mazes and dancing water jets activated by tinkling the keys of mini baroque pianos, to a kids’ play area, animal enclosures and a lifelike play castle.
They’ll also enjoy watching local artisans make bread, carve wood, draw, paint and make leather goods at the themed art and crafts villages, while a trip to the expansive gift shop pavilion in Bourg 1900 will see them raid their piggy banks to buy mementos of their stay. Reasonably priced costumes, Viking hats, swords, t-shirts, toys, puzzles, games, books are up for grabs, serving as a reminder of their trip back in time at Puy du Fou.
Kids will also love the accommodation options at the park’s very own hotel village – Puy du Fou Cité Nocturne. Top pick for the little ones is Le Camp du Drap d’Or – a 16th Century themed cluster of posh tent apartments, each with its very own crown.
Ideal for families of four, each tent apartments has a double, four-poster bed for the parents and a bunk bed for two children. The toilet is an actual wooden ‘throne’, much to the amusement of its guests.
Le Camp du Drap d’Or has 100 flamboyant ‘royal’ apartments, with fun in-room amenities such as a mirror that’s actually a TV.
The lowdown
Puy du Fou might not have roller coasters, Disney characters and larger-than-life street parades, but what it does offer is as equally thrilling and arguably, much more worthwhile. An interesting and animated journey through time is played out by professionals and skilled actors and artisans who have an infectious enthusiasm for the history of their country. This timeline of events is brought to life with emotion, humour and passion to create an enriching experience like no other.
FAST FACTS
Puy du Fou
- Founded in 1977
- France’s second largest theme park
- More than 2 million visitors in 2015
- 24 million euros invested in 2016
- Creates more than 4,000 local jobs
- 3,650 volunteers perform La Cinéscénie
- 1,500 permanent and seasonal workers at the park
- Since 1998, Puy du Fou has been preparing the artists of the future in the 24 disciplines practised during its shows at its very own Junior Academy.
- Puy du Fou is a not-for-profit business – 100% of profits are reinvested in the shows and attractions.
How to get there
We flew with easyJet to Nantes – the Atlantic city is just one-hour by car from Puy du Fou. Most of the major car rental firms have a branch at the airport and rental cars are fitted with Satellite Navigation. We used Hertz.
Where to stay
Puy du Fou Cité Nocturne – the park’s dedicated hotel village:
- La Villa Gallo-Romaine – 3rd Century themed accommodation reminiscent of Ancient Rome.
- Les Iles de Clovis – a 5th Century experience where half-timbered huts with thatched roofs create a mini village around a lake.
- Le Camp du Drap d’Or – a 16th Century themed cluster of tent apartments, each with a crown.
- Le Logis de Lescure – four duplex suites carrying 18th Century themes with building designs typical of the Vendeé
Where to eat
All of the park’s hotels boast buffet-based restaurants serving traditional French delicacies, from roast pork and steak and chips to delicious fruit tarts and macaroons. All this can be washed down with a decent grape produced by the winery of French actor Gerard Depardieu. There are also plenty of places to eat at the park, from the Le Bistro at Bourg 1900 to Echansonnerie, the restaurant at the Puy du Fou’s very own Renaissance castle.
Don’t miss
- La Cinéscénie
- Le Dernier Panache
- La Bal des Oiseaux Fantômes
- Le Signe du Triomphe
- Les Vikings
- Les Amoureux de Verdun
The writer was hosted by Puy du Fou
Comments are closed.