Puy du Fou: An extraordinary theme park

Located in the Vendée region of France, Puy du Fou is France’s second largest theme park but there’s not a single ride. Instead, visitors are treated to the most extraordinary daytime and evening shows, each inspired by moments in French history. These remarkable spectacles provide a fully immersive experience designed to excite, enthral and delight. With mind-boggling special effects, incredible scenery and sensational performances, the shows are astonishing. And the jaw-dropping La Cinéscénie, the show Puy du Fou is famed for, is ranked the greatest night show in the world.

During our press trip to Puy du Fou with BritMums, we got to stay in a period hotel, experience many of the astounding shows on offer and explore the authentic period villages. Puy du Fou (pronounced Pwee du Foo) is set in 55 hectares of ancient woodland just over an hour’s drive from Nantes Atlantique airport. While you might not have heard of Puy du Fou, this unique park has won a string of awards over recent years including “Best Park in the World”, “World’s Best Park” and an Outstanding Achievement Award for “Le Dernier Panache” – an indoor show performed on a 360-degree stage. The idea for Puy du Fou originally came about way back in 1977 when Philippe de Villiers discovered Puy du Fou Castle and wrote his first show (La Cinéscénie). Last year the park welcomed 2.3 million visitors and celebrated its 40th anniversary. Yes really.

Puy du Fou offers a feast of unforgettable shows themed around French history which provide visitors with an exciting journey from the first to the twentieth century. With the special effects on par with what you’d expect from a blockbuster movie but live, performances are fast-paced and action-packed providing more excitement than you ever thought possible. From the scenery to the costumes to the music and the drama, each performance drew us in with its brilliance. Not just the main shows but the smaller displays and walk-through experiences too. The shows at Puy du Fou are in French and while families can easily watch without the translation, there are headsets available and there’s a Puy du Fou app if you’d prefer to listen in English. There’s drama either way so it’s purely down to personal preference.

Almost every performance left us wondering how on earth they did what they did. We saw things you’d never believe were even possible. Puy du Fou is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before, not just in what I saw and heard but how I felt. The emotional impact certainly caught us all by surprise – you know that butterfly-like feeling in your belly. We literally felt like we’d travelled back in time and were part of the performances. With each so different, none of them felt “samey” and there was always the element of surprise. And just when we thought we’d seen it all, we’d be blown away again. Puy du Fou is all about creating the wow factor and there’s nothing else like it. It has to be seen to be believed. In this post, we’ll be sharing some of the shows on offer for 2018 so you know what to expect. We absolutely have to show you the authentic villages too but you can read about those in another post.

The first show we saw at Puy du Fou was Le Bal des Oiseau Fantômes (33 minutes). It’s a bird of prey show like no other featuring 330 eagles, falcons, vultures, kites and owls. It tells the story of Aliénor who wakes in the ruins of the old château and her memories result in the birds emerging. The wonderous finale of this show, which includes birds flying from a hot air balloon, is the result of a 25-year long project. My goodness, it was simply magnificent with the storytelling, the drama and excitement making it surprisingly emotional. The performance was so powerful we all had tears in our eyes at the end, happy ones of course! While I loved all the shows we saw, this was probably one of my favourites. Watch the video here.

One of the things I love about Puy du Fou was the element of surprise. The shows are all very different and focused on a specific time in French history. We were always kept second-guessing as to what was going to happen next. Eyes darting from left to right, there is so much to see. Les Vikings (26 minutes) for example sees Viking warriors leave their longships and head to the village of Fort de I’An Mil, launching an attack on the quiet village with its thatched roofs. Most dramatic of all is the appearance of a 20-metre ship which rises from beneath the pond and there are a lot of special effects on offer. This show really does provide non-stop excitement whichever way you look! Top image courtesy of Puy du Fou. Watch the video here. 

The award-winning Le Dernier Panache (34 minutes) is performed on the most amazing 360-degree stage set in Le Théâtre Des Géants. It tells the story of a French naval officer, and hero of the American War of Independence, whose life changes dramatically in a bid for freedom. This is the only production of its kind in the world and takes places in a hall measuring 7,500 square metres. It’s quite simply breathtaking. Images courtesy of Puy du Fou. Watch the video here. 

Puy du Fou introduces new experiences each year and Le Mystere de la Perouse (15 minutes) is new for 2018. Set in 1785, we got to sail a La Pérouse ship and join the expedition on board La Boussole. Leaving the port of Brest, we braved unknown waters and made discoveries in our voyage from Cape Horn to Alaska and through the storms of Vanikoro. Le Mystere de La Perouse not only mimics the motion of the sea, we saw unbelievable scenes visible through portholes and experienced different climates. In typical Puy du Fou style, there were a few surprises along the way including an impressive arch made from water. Images courtesy of Puy du Fou. Watch the video here. 

Mousquetaire de Richelieu (32 minutes) is set in a huge theatre which has the largest stage curtain in the world. Set in the 17th century, it’s an exciting adventure featuring musketeers on horseback. With stunts, sword fights and flamenco dancing, it provides non-stop entertainment with the finale like nothing you’ve ever seen. Seemingly appearing from nowhere, the stage filled with water providing an unforgettable experience for everyone in the theatre. I won’t spoil it for you, and there’s a video below to give you a taste, but make sure this show is on the must-see list! Images courtesy of Puy du Fou. Watch the video here. 

Picture yourself in a gladiator stadium and that will give you a feel for what Le Signe du Triomphe (42 minutes) is like. The impressive Gallo-Roman stadium has it all what with gladiator battles and chariot races. The atmosphere even before the show has started is unreal. Gaulish prisoners compete to win circus games in front of a Roman governor. This performance is dramatic (especially when a couple of lions and a tiger appear) and action-filled. Again we were left feeling like we were part of the performance, I’d love to know how Puy du Fou achieves that. Watch the video here.

As well as the big performances at Puy du Fou, there are smaller shows on offer too. Le Ballet des Sapeurs (9 minutes) for example sees Puy de Fou Académie pupils play villagers attempting to put out a fire. Taking place in Bourg 1900, one of the authentic villages, it’s rather like a cross between a silent film and a musical comedy. Great fun and the children are superb.

Set in the Hundred Years War, Le Secret de la Lance (29 minutes) focuses on a young shepherdess who discovers the secrets of a lance that has the power to protect the castle. It’s a large scaled medieval adventure with stunts, pyrotechnics and an 8 metre high and 60-metre long bulwark that completely disappears! The Knights share some highly impressive skills with Marguerite heading into battle to protect the enchanted ramparts of the château. Watch the video.

Taking place on the old Puy du Fou lake every evening is Les Orgues de Feu (30 minutes). The evening shows at Puy du Fou sees nymphs and sprites glide across the water dressed in illuminated costumes. There’s a violinist and a pianist that appears from beneath the water with a piano. The illuminations on the water are very clever with additions to the show including ballerinas, a golden harp, which also appears from beneath the surface to a giant organ. Les Orgues de is a remarkable show, we particularly enjoyed the crescendo at the end although we were left wondering where the giant organ that spat out water and fire came from! We presumed La Cinéscénie, the night show Puy du Fou is famed for, might offer more of the same. How very wrong we were, it was on another level! Images courtesy of Puy du Fou. Watch the video here. 

There’s a good reason the sublime La Cinéscénie (1 hour 40 minutes, no interval) has been seen by 11 million people and is recognised as the greatest night show in the world. We’d been blown away by so many performances at Puy du Fou but this visual extravaganza, which tells the story of Vendée’s history, is something else entirely. Starting at 10:30 pm, when the world’s largest stage (32 hectares) is in complete darkness, this extended production tells the story of a Vendée family from the Middle Ages to the Second World War.

To give you an idea of scale, La Cinéscénie features 2,400 actors, 28,000 costumes and 130 horse riders. There are 80 technicians responsible for cutting-edge technology like film projections with 3D mapping, free-flying drones, “neopters” and 3,000 protectors. The sound system is designed to immerse the audience of 3,200 spectators into the action. Somehow Puy du Fou achieves this as yet again we felt like we were part of the performance. I’ve no idea how they do it, they’re obviously wizards. With music written by a Hollywood composer and the voices of well known French actors, it is, without doubt, the most incredible show I’ve ever seen. And that’s before the 850 fireworks. Tickets for La Cinéscénie are not included in the price of the park. They cost from €27 each (under 5’s go free) and must be booked in advance. Performances take place on Friday and Saturday evenings from June to September. La Cinéscénie images courtesy of Puy du Fou. Watch the video here.

Walk through experience at Puy du Fou include La Renaissance du Château (30 minutes) in the Puy du Fou Castle. You might see paintings that talk, mirrors that watch and ghosts that dance. Les Amoureux de Verdun (15 minutes) on the other hand takes you on a journey through a First World War trench. With heroic soldiers, smoke-filled tunnels and sirens, it’s a deeply moving and emotional experience – a realistic look at what life must have been like.

In the area surrounding the “Bal des Oiseaux Fantômes” show is L’Allée des Volières (Aviary of Aviaries) which is an absolute treat. The Falconry Academy has 40 falconers and raises hundreds of birds including 73 different species – kites, eagles, pelicans, buzzards, condors. There are about 80 newborns born each year too and we were thrilled we got to see baby owls and kites during our visit.

There are 27 places to eat at Puy du Fou including themed restaurants with entertainment to those offering classic French Cuisine. We ate at Les Deux Couronnes which was near our onsite hotel, Le Bistrot in the Bourg 1900 village and Le Cafe de la Madelon which is new for 2018. With a Belle-Epoque setting, we had a set menu and bottle of wine. In-between our courses, we were treated to the most brilliant stage show which featured our very own waitress and the rest of the waiting staff. It was amazing and ended in the most dramatic fashion with a car appearing in the restaurant for the bride and groom!

Prices for the Puy du Fou park start at €35 per adult per day (€56 for two days) and €25 for children (€40 for two days) with children under 5 free of charge. This included all shows except La Cinéscénie which is €27 per person. There’s a 20% discount if you book online. I’d recommend the Pass Emotion (€14 per person) if you want to fast track any queues. It truly is a remarkable experience visiting Puy du Fou, I think I’ve recommended it to everyone. One thing’s for sure when you visit prepare to expect the unexpected.

If you want to get a taste of what this unique park is like, check out the short video below which condenses some of the incredible performances we saw during our stay.

Please also have a read of my fellow travel bloggers posts to discover more about Puy du Fou.

For tips, read the Extraordinary Chaos guide to visiting and Jenography’s how to do Puy du Fou. For where to stay, read Juggle Mum’s Hotels at Puy du Fou and Extraordinary Chaos’ post Staying at Le Camp du Drap at Puy du Fou.

Jenography – The Best Theme Park You’ve Never Heard Of

Maris World – Puy Du Fou The World’s Best Theme Park

Globetotting – Puy Du Fou Theme Park, France

Are We Nearly There Yet – France’s Best Kept Secret, Puy Du Fou

Globetotting – The Best Shows at Puy du Fou

Maris World – What To See And Do At Puy Du Fou

Juggle Mum – A Review Of Puy Du Fou

Globetotting – 5 Things That Will Surprise You About Puy Du Fou

Extraordinary Chaos – Puy Du Fou in France

For more information about La Cinescenie, read this post by Juggle Mum and this post by Are We Nearly There Yet.

Disclaimer: This was a hosted trip with BritMums and Puy du Fou. Opinions are as always our own. Featured image and final video courtesy of Puy du Fou. Photography is not permitted at a few shows.