Puy du Fou
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Puy du Fou is near Les Epesses in the Vendée, in western France. It is not a theme park with roller coasters: here the big historical shows are the attractions. On these pages you can read all about the shows, the villages, La Cinéscénie, the food, the park's hotels and how to get there.
Discover Puy du Fou
What kind of park is it?
Puy du Fou calls itself a journey through time. In an age-old forest you watch big shows staged like live films, with stunts, animals and special effects. You travel from the Roman Empire via the Vikings and the Middle Ages to the Belle Époque and the First World War. According to the park, more than 3 million visitors come every year. It has twice been named the best park in the world.
The shows are in French, but easy to follow without speaking the language. In the app (also available in Dutch) you can listen along to a live translation or read English subtitles.
How is the park laid out?
Puy du Fou does not have themed areas like an ordinary theme park. Between the shows are four historical villages and lots of nature:
- Le Bourg Berard: the Belle Époque village at the entrance, with shops and a carousel.
- Font-Rognou: the medieval town with craftspeople.
- Chasseloup: an eighteenth-century village with the great clock tower.
- Saint Philbert le Vieil: a village from the year 1000, the setting for Les Vikings.
There are also gardens such as La Roseraie de Ronsard and Le Val de la Marienne, and a children's world by the lake. According to the park, you need at least two days to see everything.
Opening times:
Puy du Fou is not open all year round. At Christmas the park is open from 19 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 (not on 25 and 30 December). The 2027 season starts on 27 March 2027 (as of November 2026).
Prices:
Online, a day ticket costs from € 47 for adults and from € 34 for children aged 3 to 11. Without a booking you pay € 59 and € 43. Children under 3 go free (as of November 2026).
Staying overnight:
Puy du Fou has six hotels of its own in the Cité Nocturne, each set in a different period of history. A stay includes breakfast and park tickets.
How the park began
Puy du Fou began with La Cinéscénie, the big night show first performed in 1978. Its backdrop is the Renaissance castle of Puy du Fou. In 1989 the park opened, and it has grown considerably since then.
In recent years big new shows have been added, such as Le Mime et L'Etoile and, in 2025, L'Épée du Roi Arthur. Puy du Fou's shows have won more than twenty international awards. There is also a second park: Puy du Fou España near Toledo.
Evening shows and events
On most opening days Les Noces de Feu rounds off the day, an evening show on the lake that is included in your ticket. On Friday and Saturday evenings in summer La Cinéscénie is performed, with a separate ticket.
In October and November there is La Frairie de la Toussaint, a big celebration in the castle courtyard. Around the holidays the park is open for the Christmas period. Read more on the Villages and small shows page.
Use the app
In the free app (also available in Dutch) you can see the programme, the park map and the restaurants. The show times are listed from 17.30 the evening before.
Pass Émotion
With the Pass Émotion you get a reserved seat at the big shows. Online it costs € 32 per person per day, on site € 53 (as of November 2026).
Take your time
The park recommends at least two days. If you are only coming for one day, pick about five big shows and arrive early, between 9.00 and 9.30.