A guide to Puy du Fou theme park

Take a trip back in time with a visit to the incredible Puy du Fou, an immersive historical theme park in the Vendée region of France. 

Puy du Fou is a theme park with a difference. There are no rides or rollercoasters, but there are plenty of thrills, as you watch shows that bring historical periods to life in breathtaking and brilliant ways, and even become involved in them. From chariot racing in a Roman amphitheatre to walking through the trenches of World War I, this is a park where you leave the modern world at the entrance. The theme of Puy du Fou is history on a grand, epic scale – appealing to families and history lovers alike. 

Is Puy du Fou worth visiting?

It most certainly is!  With over 25 different live action shows featuring the very latest in special effects technology, breathtaking stunts, pyrotechnics and hundreds if not thousands of actors, nothing quite prepares you for what you will see at Puy du Fou. Viking ships on fire, soldiers scaling castle walls, gladiators fighting for their freedom – Puy du Fou has it all. These are not just ‘shows’ – they are spectacles, experiences, and in the case of the original, ultimate Puy de Fou performance, ‘La Cinéscénie’, utterly unforgettable wonders.

Be part of the epic action at ‘The Sign of Triumph’

Things to do at Puy du Fou theme park

Puy du Fou is one of France’s most popular attractions, with 2 million visitors every year. Let us explain why … 

Experience spectacular family-friendly shows

The flagship shows of Puy du Fou are around 30-40 minutes long, and take place both indoors and outdoors, at seated venues within the park. Some of the most popular include ‘The Secret of the Lance’, set during the Hundred Years War between France and England, featuring jousting, armed to armed fighting and a romantic heroine who saves the day. A truly unmissable show is ‘The Sign of Triumph’, staged in a stunning recreation of a 7,000 seat ancient Roman amphitheatre. You’ll witness gladiatorial games and chariot races, and the chance to be part of the epic action!

Enjoy magical night shows

The original Pou du Fuy show, ‘La Cinéscénie’, has been entertaining visitors since 1978, and is legendary. It is still performed every night during the summer season, featuring a cast of around 2,500 people, telling the story, in words, music, lights, fireworks, dance and 3D special effects, of a fictional French family from the Middle Ages to World War II. Lasting 90 minutes, ‘La Cinéscénie’ takes place against the spectacular backdrop of the park’s ruined Renaissance castle and its lake. 

A separate ticket is needed for ‘La Cinéscénie’, but another of the enchanting night shows, ‘Les Noces de Feu’ (The Fire Wedding) is included in the main park ticket. 

Immerse yourself in epic adventures

At Puy du Fou you get a ringside seat at history. 

A Viking raid on a French village, where longships emerge from the deep and peasants fight fire with fire. A swashbuckling adventure with Richelieu’s musketeers in 17th -century France, complete with galloping horses, a flooded stage, flamenco dancers and sword fights. Elsewhere sink to the bowels of an 18th century ship as it voyages across the Atlantic and is tossed on the waves of torrid seas; or squelch through the mud of the trenches of Verdun, and become engrossed in the tale of a fearful French soldier and his fiancée. 

The Vikings are invading! 

Discover historic villages

Puy du Fou also features a number of walkthrough attractions, depicting France at certain times in its history and giving visitors an insight into everyday life at the time. There is an authentic medieval village with workshops, craftsmen, ramparts, a chapel and a market, a Viking era village and a typical town square from the ‘Belle Epoque’, the ‘beautiful era’ of the late 19th and early 20th century, with real bistros, cafés and shops. Again, there is a sense of realism about these recreations that make them a special experience.

Explore nature and the scenic outdoors

When you need to take a break from all the breathtaking spectacle, or the kids just want to let off some 21st-century steam, you’ll find plenty of green space at Puy du Fou. Take a stroll through ‘La Roseraie de Ronsard’ (The Rose Garden) and feast on the colours and scents of 5,000 roses, some of them very rare, or find a peaceful haven amongst the oaks, ferns and waterfalls of the landscaped gardens of ‘Val de la Marienne’. Let your children capture their own castle in the adventure playground, or have some fun trying to catch the ‘Jets Sauteurs’ (Jumping Jets) before they vanish into their well. 

You will be astonished by the realism and detail of the historic villages

Puy du Fou tickets

Tickets for Puy du Fou are available to buy in person and online, but are cheaper if booked online in advance of your visit. You can book park tickets for up to 4 days, and the longer your ticket is valid for, the better value it becomes. 

Puy du Fou accommodation

The Puy du Fou theme park is so big and has so many shows that one day is almost certainly not going to be long enough to see all it has to offer. If you want a longer stay, there are five themed hotels at the park, offering reasonable rates and all with modern amenities. They include ‘Les Îles de Clovis’, half-timbered thatched cottages in a Middle Ages style, and ‘Villa Gallo-Romaine’, a hotel inspired by the Roman Empire, complete with staff in period costume. 

Stay at ‘Les Îles de Clovis’, the medieval hotel 

Puy de Fou restaurants

You’ll be relieved to know that you won’t have to eat like people in the past had to, even though the many restaurants, cafés and food outlets at Puy de Fou do have a historical theme. Take a bench at ‘Le Banquet de Mérovée’, an all-you-can-eat buffet near the Viking village, or ‘Le Relais de Poste’, a warm and welcoming eaterie in the 18th-century Chasseloup village, where the large tables and period music help to create a festive atmosphere. There’s also medieval taverns, fashionable bistros and Renaissance banqueting halls! 

Drive to Puy du Fou from Calais

It takes between 5 ½ and 6 hours to drive to the Puy du Fou theme park from our terminal in Calais. The quickest route is via Rouen on the A16 and A28 roads, then take the A11 from Le Mans. You could stop at Rouen or Le Mans to break up the journey, on which you will need to pay tolls. Puy du Fou itself is near the small town of Les Epesses, but Nantes is only a drive of just over an hour away from the theme park. 

The Grand Éléphant of Nantes

Top things to do near Puy du Fou

If Puy du Fou doesn’t take up too much of your time, the Pays de la Loire is rich with places to see and things to do, and not all involving wineries and châteaux! 

Nantes is an excellent base from which to explore the nearby Loire valley, and an exciting, quirky city in itself. As well as its wonderful museums and incredible architecture, make sure you take your turn on the Grand Éléphant, a huge mechanical elephant which takes people on a 40-minute tour of the waterfront on the banks of the Loire. Yes, really!

At the head of the Loire valley, Angers is a city rich in history, art and culture, which played an important part in Anglo-French history in the Middle Ages. At its heart is its exceptionally well preserved castle, dating back to the 13th century, and an attractive old town that huddles around a stunning Gothic cathedral. It’s also the site of Terra Botanica, another unique theme park where the theme is nature and plants! 

Drive back in time to Puy du Fou theme park

When you visit Poy du Fou your travel time might be many centuries, but the actual journey from Folkestone to Calais on LeShuttle is a mere 35 minutes. 

FAQs

What is the best time to visit Puy de Fou?

As with all big attractions the park can get crowded in the height of summer, when the weather is hotter too, so visiting during April and May and September and October may be more advisable.

One of the things you will notice about Puy du Fou is the lack of queues, compared to most theme parks. There may still be some at peak times, but only at the biggest shows. 

Is Puy du Fou suitable for all ages?

There is more than enough at Puy du Fou to entertain younger children, but some of the shows are better appreciated by older children and adults.  

How much time do you need at Puy du Fou?

If you only want to see a handful of the biggest shows, it may be possible to do Puy du Fou in a day, but two days will give you more time to see most of the shows and villages and still have time to relax.  

Do you need to speak French for Puy du Fou?

Puy du Fou is a theme park more orientated towards French visitors. It would help to have a basic understanding of the language, as the signage and the shows are in French, but the park’s mobile app does have English translations of most in-show content. 

What is the nearest town to Puy du Fou?

Les Epesses is the nearest small town, and Nantes is the nearest city, around an hour’s drive away from Puy du Fou. 

Is Puy du Fou open year-round?

No, Puy du Fou is not open during the winter months. It usually opens in April and closes in early November.