Puy du Fou, France’s second largest theme park, treats its 2.3 million visitors a year to the most spectacular daytime and evening shows. These remarkable spectacles are inspired by French history providing a fully immersive experience with mind-boggling special effects, incredible scenery and sensational performances. The shows are astonishing and just when you think Puy du Fou can’t top the special effects, they do. We’ve already written about the shows at this extraordinary theme park and where you can stay while you’re there. This post covers off the period villages at Puy du Fou and what you can do in-between the performances at the park.
Arriving at Puy du Fou is like stepping back in time with its unforgettable shows themed around French history. Whether it’s the first or twenty-first century, you can expect fast-paced and action-packed performances that are simply astounding. Somehow, Puy du Fou makes you feel a part of these shows just by watching them through the music, the drama and their innovative techniques. Similarly, the four-period villages at Puy du Fou have all been given the “Puy du Fou” effect in that they make you feel like you’ve returned to a bygone era. There’s so much to see, to capture and in typical Puy du Fou style, there are a few surprises along the way too.
La Cité Médiévale
The first village we experienced was the medieval city. Here we discovered tradespeople making crafts from the Middle Ages. Everything here seemed authentic and we were taken aback by the attention to detail. Puy du Fou doesn’t have any tourist shops as such, instead, visitors can purchase gifts made in each of the period villages. We found all kinds of beautiful presents with the winners including a bracelet, a necklace and a keyring. We got to speak to the owners of the shops during our stay and understand their trade, it all felt very real. While I loved all the period villages, La Cité Médiévale was probably my favourite.
Le Fort de l’An Mil
Le Fort de l’An Mil (Fort Year Mill) is a hamlet with thatched roofs which forms the backdrop of the Viking show. It’s a performance that provides non-stop excitement, pyrotechnics galore and some very clever special effects. Like the appearance of a 20-metre longboat which rises from beneath the pond! We spent less time looking around the village itself but did get to spend time with the blacksmiths, watching them work and admiring the largest bellows we’d ever seen.
Le Village XVIIIème
It’s almost as if time has stood still in this 18th-century village. Beautifully kept, there’s a kitchen garden, wash-house and barn to explore with a few surprises along the way. Like Le Grand Carillon which is a giant clock which stands sixteen metres above the ground in the centre of the village. It has ringers that twirl and 70 giant bells which chime to famous tunes with some superbly timed choreography thrown in for good measure.
Le Bourg 1900
The Bourg 1900 is a colourful square brimming with Victorian and Edwardian style shops with traditional gifts. There’s a carousel in the centre to keep the kids occupied. The Bistro is a great pitstop for lunch, a snack or an afternoon ice-cream! Le Bourg 1900 is also where you can catch Le Ballet des Sapeurs performance by the Puy du Fou Academy pupils which sees the villagers trying to put out a fire.
In addition to the wonderful period villages at Puy du Fou, there are a number of other experiences available on the park. These include Le Monde Imaginaire de La Fontaine which is an interactive garden with animals from famous fables and talking trees. Le Labyrinthe des Animaux, the hedge maze with surprises for those venturing into it (watch out for the statues!) and Le Repaire des Enfants where children can play at being princesses or knights in a small-scale castle. The forest of Puy du Fou has more than 1,500 animals including rabbits, fallow deer, wolves and eagles inhabiting the 55-hectare nature reserve. For more information about Puy du Fou, do have a look at their website. And make sure you visit, it has to be on your must-see travel list.
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.
The period villages really were a treat to walk around and made a nice change from sitting to watch a show! This park was amazing and I’d love to visit again!