It’s a French icon visited by 2.8 million people a year, but how many people outside of France have heard of Puy du Fou? We all know Disneyland Paris, but in France, Puy du Fou has been voted the country’s favourite theme park.
Won’t you join us as we take you on a journey to discover what to see, do and love at France’s most spectacular historical theme park.
What exactly is Puy du Fou?
If you think theme parks are just rollercoasters and for kids, think again. At the award-winning Puy du Fou, nestled in the heart of the Vendée countryside in western France, history comes alive in the most astonishing and theatrical way. You’ll find it a cross between cinema and theatre with dance and even a trip to your favourite farm zoo thrown in!
Think grand Roman coliseums, Viking longships, and medieval knights — all brought to life with breathtaking special effects, incredible costumes, and immersive storytelling.
Whether you’re a history buff, a culture lover, or simply looking for something completely different on your French itinerary, Puy du Fou promises an experience like no other.
Why you should visit Puy Du Fou
The great thing about it is that it’s a theme park with a unique twist. There are no rides, but instead focuses on providing dramatic theatrical experiences that recreate the drama, mystery and legend of key events in France’s history.
Some academics have got hot under the collar and complained about the lack of historical accuracy; however, that misses the point. The shows do not seek to provide accuracy, they seek to provide an enchanting and engaging spectacle by weaving together history, legend, myth and imagination.
If, like us, your knowledge of French history is a bit patchy, then it will help you fill in some gaps, but it will do so in a way that will leave your mouth open and awestruck.
The shows
There are 20 shows at Puy du Fou, and it is impossible to see all of them in one day. One of the most impressive aspects of Puy du Fou is that the shows are 100% in-house productions, created by the Puy du Fou teams from script to music and costumes.
So what of the shows? They are GRAND – huge spectacles taking place in large amphitheatres with casts of hundreds, incredible sets, and amazing costumes.
Whilst the shows are set in bygone eras, backstage they utilise the most advanced technologies for the shows, incorporating cutting-edge modernity and complex special effects. There are numerous wow moments, and you find yourself asking, ‘How do they do that?’
Four Period Villages
As you wander around, you will find four period villages which immediately transport you away from the current day into another time.
Saint Philbert le Vieil is set in Viking times.
Font-Rognou transports us to the Middle Ages, a time of Knights, spanning the 11th to the 15th centuries.
Chasseloup Village is set in the 18th century.
Le Bourg Berard, you can’t miss the merry-go-round. This village is set in the last century, where you’ll find a toy shop, a sweets shop, a book shop, and more.
The Puy Du Fou parklands
The grounds at Puy du Fou are a massive and integral part of the experience of attending. The park’s unique environment encompasses 247 acres of centuries-old forest, which has nearly doubled in size since the park’s inception.
There are 3,000 plant species to be admired within the park; the gardens are truly lovely, and during our visit, the roses were in full bloom.
The animals
There are 2,244 animals, including over 1,000 birds and 200 horses, which also feature extensively in the shows. Being conservationists, we were concerned about this, but we were reassured on seeing the animals. They were all in good condition, well nourished and were well handled by the staff. And they certainly added to the spectacle.
The Puy du Fou Falconry Academy, the largest in Europe, is not only involved in preparing and presenting the Le Bal des Oiseaux Fantômes show, but also in training the birds that perform in it. It also has other ambitions, including the protection, preservation, and conservation of species.
The shows we saw
All the shows are well worth seeing, but some of them are more ‘in demand’ than others. The most popular shows are:
Le Signe du Triomphe
What an electric atmosphere, as you sit in a Gallo-Roman Stadium and are transported back 2,000 years to Roman France. This show centres around the games in the amphitheatre at the time when Christianity was beginning to take hold in the Roman Empire. You’ll meet gladiators, wild animals, and watch chariot racing!
Les Vikings
Watch out, world, the Vikings are coming! This show starts with a village wedding celebration and ends with France under attack from the rampaging Vikings. The stunts and special effects are fantastic! Loved the animals here too!
Le Mime et l’Etoile
Oh gosh, I loved this, couldn’t take my eyes off it – no wonder it won the accolade of Greatest Show on Earth, Hollywood 2024. It takes place on a film set, with a clever moving walkway, at the beginning of the talkies era and the introduction of colour.
L’Epee du Roi Arthur
Arthur and his knights are captured under an evil spell. A young French knight releases Excalibur and breaks the spell. This is the theme park’s newest show, using pioneering special effects on an epic scale – there are more than 40 tonnes of moving machinery.
Le Dernier Panache
Local history set in a huge, 360-degree rotating indoor theatre. This is the story of Francois-Athanase Charette and his role in the Vendée War at the end of the 18th century. It’s a tragic story about a revered figure in the Vendée, where you are plunged into the eighteenth-century battle via a mix of film and live theatre, featuring extravagant naval sets and period costumes.
Le Bal des Oiseaux Fantomes
Our favourite – I have never seen anything like it. Over 200 birds perform this magical aerial ballet. Remarkable and a truly memorable spectacle!
Le Secret de la Lance
Set during the Hundred Years’ War, this is an incredible display of acrobatics on horseback and some spectacular stunts… Medieval sword fights, surprising equestrian jousting, incredible scenes that change before your very eyes – an edge-of-your-seat production, that has been an iconic crowd pleaser for many years.
Mousquetaires de Richelieu
What a way to end our day at Puy Du Fou with swashbuckling sword fighting musketeers, prancing horses, and Gypsy girls Flamenco dancing in water. It’s all set indoors in a mega theatre with a backdrop of huge red curtains.
Immersive shows:
The walk-through immersive shows are fun, and you can enter at any time you have a gap between the major shows.
Le Mystère de La Pérouse
‘You will experience, from within, the odyssey of an expedition from which there was no return: the mysterious voyage of La Pérouse!‘
In this immersive show, set in 1785, you take to the high seas aboard the explorer La Perouse’s ship. It’s so cleverly done, and you get the sensation that you are at sea, as the boat rocks and water splashes around as you brave unknown waters in a massive storm. It’s really cool!
Le Premier Royaume
This immersive show is another epic! It draws inspiration from King Clovis I and his conquests to take you on a journey of discovery through the Kingdom of the Franks. It’s all so realistic and life-like, between 360 sound and even the scents, all your senses are involved, and just when you think that’s brilliant, it turns out to be a real-life actor! It’s fabulous.
The other two immersive shows, which we didn’t get to, were La Renaissance du Château inside the amazing-looking château, where each room shares its wonderful Renaissance past and paintings come to life, mirrors watch you, and ghosts dance – sounds fantastic!
Les Amoureux de Verdun is set during the First World War and promises an intense experience alongside the soldiers.
Night Shows
You will need a lot of stamina—or a hotel nearby to take a break—to stay for the evening shows, which sound fabulous.
Check out the program to see details of the sound & light spectacular Les Noces du Fou with 75,347 sq ft of Aquatic stage and 150 water jets or time it right and you can attend one of the 28 shows per year held between June to September for La Cinescenie staged by the Puyfolais the associations 4,500 volunteers and tells the story of a Vendee family from the middle ages to WW II.
Our top tips for the best day out
Plan ahead
This is greatly helped by downloading the Puy du Fou app and using it to plan your visit. The app will display the timings of all the shows, use the map to plan your route, and then allow enough time for food and breaks. If you manage to see half the shows in a full day, you are doing brilliantly!
Pick your day and times
Puy du Fou gets crowded during French holiday periods, so it’s best to avoid these times if possible. We went on a quiet day at the start of June and managed to get into every show we had wanted to attend. Then, use the app to plan your must-see shows.
We recommend starting early and staying late to maximise coverage and take advantage of the relatively quieter times of the day. If you want to cover everything, consider getting a two-day pass.
The advantages of attending on a less popular day are that the crowds are smaller; the disadvantages are that there are no night shows.
Buy the Pass Emotion
Puy du Fou offers a fast pass system for an additional charge, available with your entry ticket. This gives you quick entry and preferred seating at the major 10 shows. It is well worth it on busier days. The Pass Emotion costs an additional 30 Euros on top of the regular entry price, or 35€ for evenings with the evening Cinéscénie show.
Food, drink and snacks
There are thirty-four restaurants and bars around the site, so build the recovery stops into your programme. You can reserve lunch and dinner in advance at the restaurants. There are numerous food outlets in the villages, such as the medieval bakery.
We decided not to stop for food and took a picnic lunch and plenty of snacks to avoid any downtime, as the park closed at 7 pm on the day we visited – so much to see, so little time!
Who is Puy du Fou for?
Puy du Fou is a perfect day out for all ages. Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, or with friends, Puy du Fou is a welcoming and inspiring day out. It’s a popular destination for adult travellers and offers a more refined alternative to the typical family-focused theme park.
Why It’s great for Over-50s Travellers
If you’re in the over-50s travel crowd and seeking something a little more meaningful than the usual tourist attractions, Puy du Fou is a perfect fit. It is accessible and enjoyable, no matter your age.
Will I understand it if I don’t speak French?
Even without speaking fluent French, the shows are easy to follow, thanks to English translations via the official app.
You also don’t have to be a French history buff to enjoy the performances. They’re visual spectacles filled with emotion, music, animals, pyrotechnics, and cinematic storytelling.
Wren’s top tips:
Please remember to bring your headphones to listen to the translation during the performance.
Where is Puy du Fou?
Puy du Fou is in the Vendée, close to the town of Les Épesses in the Pays de la Loire department. Access is off the A87 motorway. The Vendée is a great area for a holiday, so we recommend spending at least a week in the region and include a visit to Puy du Fou.
For more information on ‘How to get to Puy du Fou’ here
Where to Stay
Puy du Fou Themed Stays
Puy du Fou offers a choice of six three-star and four-star themed hotels, from a Roman villa to a medieval fortress — your accommodation becomes part of the experience. These look like fun. We’re coming back to stay here next time.
There are many gites and Airbnb within easy distance of Puy du Fou, and we stayed at one 10 minutes away.
All the details on where to stay are found here.
Planning Your Visit
Puy du Fou is open from April to early November each year – you can check the calendar for opening hours here. Some days, the park closes at 7 pm, while on other days, it remains open for the night shows until 10:30 pm.
We deliberately chose one of the park’s quietest days, and whilst this might mean there are fewer shows on offer, we enjoyed being able to whizz about the park with relative ease.
Website: www.puydufou.com
Final Thoughts
Puy du Fou Is Proof That Theme Parks Can Inspire at Any Age
Puy du Fou isn’t your average theme park — and that’s exactly why it stands out. It offers all the magic of live performance, the richness of history, and the comfort of a well-designed visitor experience.
It’s great for all ages, for over-50s travellers seeking entertainment and enlightenment, this is the ultimate day out. Whether you’re exploring solo, with a partner, or as part of a group, you’ll leave feeling inspired, and perhaps even a little more connected to the stories of the past.
So if you’re planning a trip to France and fancy something utterly unique — filled with purpose, passion, and a touch of theatrical wonder — make sure Puy du Fou is on your itinerary. It’s truly a showstopper.
Disclosure: Little Wandering Wren was a guest of Puy du Fou. All opinions are my own. Thank you so much for this lovely invitation.
Follow us on Social Media: Find more photos of my travels and stories on Instagram at @littlewanderingwren.
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10 comments
Hello Wren,
What a fun place, looks like there is so much to see and do. I love all the birds and animals. The gardens are lovely.
Take care, have a great day!
Yes, such a lovely setting and the park are really into conservation and sustainability which we were impressed by, they have doubled the size of their forest since the park opened and the range of animals that participate alongside the staff was mind blowing. As you know Mr Wren is a zoologist from way back and typically we go out of our way to avoid seeing animals “performing.” Here at Puy du Fou the inclusion of animals seemed very natural and really added hugely to the story telling. Such an incredible day out.
Have a lovely week Eileen
Wren x
Well, I’d not heard of this place before.
It certainly looks a great place to visit 🙂
All the best Jan
Happy Sunday Jan – I agree us Brits are not so familiar with Puy du Fou – although there is some talk of a British Puy du Fou, which would be excellent for those of us that love our history combined with amazing spectacular shows!
Wren x
Darlin’ Wren,
This is the kind of place I’d love to visit. I would love to tour the grounds, see the marvelous structures, period costumes, reenactments, … You did such a marvelous job capturing magical moments with your camera to share with your readers. I felt like I was right there with you. This is especially wonderful considering I don’t think I’ll ever have the opportunity to travel to far away places. If we win the lottery, then I’m going to add this destination to my travel plans. Thanks for sharing your experience and for your visit at my place. 😉 xo
Thank you so much, Cathy, I loved your message. I’m so glad you felt transported to Puy du Fou. That’s precisely why I share these adventures — to bring a little piece of the magic to kindred spirits like you, whether near or far.
It is a place like no other — the costumes, the storytelling, the atmosphere… pure wonder! And who knows? Lottery win or not, sometimes the most unexpected adventures find their way to us. Until then, I’ll keep bringing the world to you, one blog post at a time.
Big hugs and thanks for always being such a lovely supporter!
Wren x
How interesting! I bet our French relatives don’t even know this venue. I will share this post with them.
Will you be in Bangkok in Feb?
Thank you for sharing Eileen! How lucky are you to have French relatives, let us know what they say! How exciting, are you planning a return to Bangkok next Feb, my whole year is TBA at the moment!!
Have a great week.
Wren x
Dear Wren,
you were right – I had never heard of Puy du Fou before, and I’m absolutely thrilled by your colourful and enthusiastic report! 🎭✨ Twenty shows – wow! No wonder one can’t manage all of that in just one day. I’m genuinely amazed at how many performances you were able to see!
Everything looks so lovingly and carefully designed, and it’s wonderful to read that the animals there seem to be well cared for. Thank you for your well-prepared write-up – I’m saving it for a possible future trip to France! 🇫🇷 You’ve answered nearly every question that came to my mind – including the one about French language skills – which is brilliant. The only thing I’m still curious about is what happens in case of really bad weather… I imagine some of the stunts and the birds of prey flights might have to be cancelled?
By the way, your outfit for the visit looked fabulous, and you matched the young gentleman at La Renaissance du Château perfectly in colour and flair! 👗🤍
Warmest wishes and a beautiful August to you,
Traude 🌿
👉 https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2025/07/musikalischer-juli-blogparade-urban.html
Dear Traude,
Your lovely message made my day – thank you! I’m so glad my Puy du Fou post has inspired you. It really is like stepping into a living storybook, and yes – twenty shows is a LOT!
Most outdoor performances carry on in bad weather (only extreme conditions might pause something like the birds of prey), and a few are indoors, so the magic continues rain or shine. I was more concerned about extreme heat, and was happy to find some shade around!
And thank you for noticing my outfit – matching that dashing young gentleman was a happy accident and a bit of theatre magic! 🎭💫
Happy August to you to!!
Wren x