Groups will experience France in a new light at Puy du Fou, as we find out on a trip organised by Worldwide Attractions
Imagine going to a theme park, but instead of rides, visitors get to experience centuries of French history through a variety of diverse and imaginative performances.
Puy du Fou – based in in Les Epesses in the heart of the Vendée region of Western France does – does just that by bringing the history of France alive.
Welcoming coaches
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Puy du Fou is a new attraction, but the historical theme park celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and is the second most visited theme park in France after Disneyland Paris.
It may not be a household name in the UK, but this makes it the ideal destination for groups looking for something a bit different and will be a hit with history-loving groups.
While groups have always been welcomed to the park, it is reaching out to UK coach groups for the first time because it now has the hotel capacity to be able to accommodate them.
The performances
Spread across acres of parkland, groups will find a number of attractions to keep them entertained at Puy du Fou. The most notable is its shows.
There are 19 shows in total; each displaying different stories from different periods in history, and each with a unique style and take on events.
For instance, Mousquetaire de Richelieu is performed indoors. Set against the backdrop of a 17th century theatre, the show includes sword fighting, highly trained horses, and flamenco dancing.
A big part of all the shows is the use of the natural elements – earth, air, fire, and water.
Mousquetaire de Richelieu ends with the performers dancing around on a stage flooded with water – leaving audience members wondering how and when it had even happened.
One of the most memorable shows we were fortunate enough to watch is Les Orgues de Feu. Starting at 2145hrs, it might be tempting to stay in, but the park’s only night show is not to be missed.
It is performed on a lake, and as visitors arrive at dusk, it gives the performance an eerie yet magical feel.
Classical music is played to performers floating around on the water, with the illusion that they are playing musical instruments.
The combination of the stunning setting, hundreds of twinkling fairy lights, and the music makes it just beautiful to watch.
Not to be missed
The highlight of Puy du Fou is La Cinéscénie, which takes place in the evening on the world’s biggest stage.
The production lasts almost two hours and has a cast of 2,400 actors, and includes fireworks, floodlights, and computerised water jets to unfold 700 years of history – from the Middle Ages to the Second World War.
La Cinéscénie changes and develops each year. The opening has been completely rewritten for 2017, and now includes 20 drones that fly around the air to bring the set to new heights.
The show has its own entrance and is only performed during peak season. Furthermore, general park admission does not include entry to La Cinéscénie, which must be booked at an additional cost.
Embracing nature
As Puy du Fou is set in acres of parkland, visitors not only get the chance to watch the shows against the backdrop of countryside, but there is also over 15 miles of walking trails to enjoy.
There are 150 species of trees and 5,500 plant varieties, as well as vegetable gardens in the Village XVIIIème and Cité Médiévale where rare species of plants and varieties of vegetables from times gone by are grown.
Animals are also a big part of Puy du Fou, which holds the record for the largest number of protected species in Western France, and the Animal Conservatory houses many endangered species.
Animals are used in the shows, including horses, sheep, wolves and even lions (French law still allows wild animals to take part in theatre and circus performances).
While some people may be put off by the use of animals, there’s no denying that they really add the extra wow factor to performances, particularly in Le Bal des Oiseaux Fantômes, which uses birds of prey to tell the story and ends with more than 210 birds – including eagles, kites and owls – in full-flight together.
Back in time
As well as the shows and the nature trails, groups can also explore the park’s four themed villages.
Groups can wander around Le Village XVIIIème, La Cité Médiévale, Le Fort de l'An Mil and Le Bourg 1900, where they will be transported back in time.
Le Village XVIIIème is an 18th century village, at La Cité Médiévale, groups will discover the riches of the Middle Ages, and Le Fort de l'An Mil is Viking-themed.
Le Bourg 1900 is a reconstructed village square in Art Noubeau style. In the centre of the square is a carousel, which is surrounded by shops – each with intricately designed shop fronts. They sell everything from Puy du Fou branded gifts, to toys and sweets, and there’s even a bakery.
There is also a bistro – Le Bistrot – here where groups can enjoy traditional French cuisine, while an accordion player serenades the diners.
The overall look and feel of all the villages is really authentic, with real thatched roofs and mud walls, and they are just fascinating to walk around.
Groups will even stumble across dozens of real-life craftsmen at work, all specialists in a number of different trades, such as saddlery, cooperage and wood carving.
Plan your time
The shows don’t all run everyday. Instead, a timetable of events is tailored each day, detailing which performances are running and at what time.
This is included in the visitor’s guide, which also contains a park map and useful information, such as restaurant opening times, tips for your visit, and which shows are running the next day.
The timetable allows visitors to really plan their day to ensure they make the most of their time at Puy du Fou.
With this in mind, more than one day really is needed to experience all the park has to offer and to enable groups to see all they want to see.
The running time of the performances are anywhere between 15-40 minutes, so visitors can plan their time accordingly and choose which ones they want to see depending on how much time they have.
It is important to bear in mind that, apart from Mousquetaire de Richelieu, all of the shows are performed outdoors. But the performances go ahead whatever the weather, with ponchos on sale if you are unlucky enough to get caught in the rain.
Hotel options
There are a number of different themed accommodation options for groups throughout the park.
Groups can request availability at:
La Villa Gallo-Romaine: Groups will have an unforgettable stay in this hotel, which has 100 rooms, immersed in the atmosphere of Ancient Rome
La Citadelle: New for 2017, groups can spend a night under the protection of the knights of Puy du Fou in this Middle Ages-themed hotel
Le Camp du Drap d’Or: A novel stay in rooms that can only be described as flamboyant, sturdy tents. Four-poster beds and embroidered tapestries give the rooms a lavish vibe
Les Îles de Clovis: Spread over seven hectares, the Middle Ages-themed hotel consists of 50 huts built on stilts on water and thatched roofs.
There is also a wide range of off-site accommodation options available nearby, including camping, hotels and spas. Further information can be found at puydufou.com/en/hostels
Where to eat
Groups are also spoilt for choice when it comes to food at Puy du Fou.
The park and hotels offer 27 places to eat in total, ranging from themed restaurants with entertainment, classic French cuisine, and fast food.
There is a big emphasis on using local suppliers, which means groups will get a taste of real Western French cuisine.
As Puy du Fou chefs can serve up to 19,000 people in one day alone, you can be rest assured that the eateries can accommodate your groups.
Two new restaurants have opened this year – L'Ecuyer Tranchant, which offers a buffet with dishes inspired by the Middle Ages, and La Mijoterie du Roy Henry where groups can enjoy a buffet in a Renaissance setting.
Good to know
All of the performances are in French, so there are translation headsets are available to hire daily.
However, the sound qualities of these are not the best and it can be difficult to hear the English translation over the live show. Plus, the performances are so visually stunning and interesting to watch, some might prefer not to have a headsets at all.
While some of the most popular shows have been running for years, new shows are put on each year – two in 2017, which means there is something new for groups to see year after year.
One person goes free per 20 paid visitors for pre-booked group visits. There is also free parking and coach drivers receive free entry for their stay or entry to the park and the Cinéscénie
As the park is set over acres of land, there is a lot of walking involved to get between the different shows. Manual and electric wheelchairs can be hired and there is a land train from Le Bourg 1900 to Le Bal des Oiseaux Fantômes that those with reduced mobility will find useful.
There is also a free shuttle service at the Cinéscénie that drives visitors to the stands.
- Groups tickets for the park and La Cinéscénie can be booked by emailing odv@puydufou.com
