Puy du Fou cannot be overlooked
Puy du Fou is not to be missed. Whoever says Vendee also says Puy du Fou because the amusement park is visited by more than 3 million people every year. And that makes it the number 10 in Europe and the number 2 in France. Puy du Fou can best be described as a journey through time. In 7 big shows of about 30 minutes, the actors take you through the great stories from the history of France and the Vendée.
Because camping L'Etruyere is about a 40-minute drive from Puy du Fou, the campsite is very attractive for Puy de Fou visitors for a stay of 3 nights. So if you're at the campsite and haven't heard of Puy du Fou before, grab your chance now and go there! And are you planning to go to Puy du Fou and you don't have a stay yet? Then come to camping L'Etruyere where you can recover from a wonderful day full of history and emotion!
The history of Puy du Fou
“Cinéscénie” is where it all started in 1977. Two young Frenchmen – Phillippe de Villiers and Jean Saint Bris – decided to create a show with lots of light and sound. The show focused on the story of the Maupillier family. This family has lived in the Puy du Fou region since the 16th century.
Cinéscénie thus represents about 600 years of history. The show was an immediate success in 1977 and still exists today. Cinéscénie is now Puy du Fou's biggest and most important show that takes place behind the ruins of a castle next to the park. With 23 hectares, Cinéscénie has the largest stage in the world. It features thousands of actors and hundreds of horses.
All the actors and actresses come from the nearby villages and are volunteers. The show can only be seen in high season on Friday and Saturday evenings. Do you want to experience Cinéscénie? Then be on time to reserve your tickets! And are you unable to attend? Even then, Puy du Fou is a great journey through time.
Puy du Fou .'s 7 shows
Because when Cinéscénie turned out to be a success, it was decided to expand the story. In 1989, next to the Cinéscénie location, the "Grand Parc" was opened, which is now known as Puy du Fou. In the large park, 7 large locations have been laid out in a beautiful, park-like environment. From show to show you walk past donkeys, cows, restaurants, villages and much more. So shows are performed at the locations of about half an hour.
To give you a good idea of Puy du Fou, a short description per show follows.
The Sign of Victory
Le Signe du Triomphe is a show in a replica of an amphitheater that is 115 meters long and 75 meters wide. It creates the Gallic atmosphere during Roman times. It is set in the time of Emperor Diocletian, when there was great turmoil in the Roman Empire.
The theater can accommodate thousands of spectators who are divided into two camps and thus become part of the show. There is a Roman chariot race and the battle from that time is depicted with a lot of spectacle and humor.
The Vikings
Les Vikings is set in a reconstructed 1000-year-old fortress that is attacked by a Viking boat. Just in front of you, the horses pass at high speed and the actors perform a lot of stunts.
The Ghost Birds Ball
Le Bal des Oiseaux Fantômes is an amazing bird of prey show in the ruins of an old castle. In our opinion the most beautiful in Europe. Dozens of birds of prey rise from the ruins and fly low over the heads of visitors. “Landing places” for the birds have been placed in the public.
Truly spectacular to see an owl or kestrel so close. With a bit of luck you will see a huge vulture walking past you up the stairs from a meter away. In total there are about 100 birds of prey in this show.
The Last Plume
Le Dernier Panache is a spectacle to the glory of the insurgent general François Athanase Charotte who fought the revolutionaries of the French Revolution during the uprising in the Vendée.
This show is performed indoors and because both the stage for the actors and the stands for the audience (opposite of each other) can rotate, the spectacle takes on a wonderful dimension.
In addition to the 7 main shows, Puy du Fou also has small and fine performances.
We also give you an overview of these performances.
The Mystery of La Perouse
Le Mystère de La Pérouse is on a ship belonging to the explorer Jean-François de La Pérouse. The story takes place in 1785, and starts in the port of Brest. As a visitor you take a short walk through the ship.
The Lovers of Verdun
Les Amoureux de Verdun is set on December 24, 1916, during the First World War. A soldier's love letters form the basis of this show. Even now as a visitor you walk through the trenches. Don't be alarmed by the soldiers out there.
The Knights of the Round Table
Les Chevaliers de la Table Ronde don't have it easy with King Arthur's magic sword. This famous legend is spectacularly depicted in a short story.
The Castle Puy du Fou
La Renaissance du Château traces the history of the original Puy du Fou castle during the Renaissance. You walk through the castle and in each room a historical figure is waiting for you to tell a story.
The Musician Vending Machines
Les Automates Musiciens is a short show in which musicians suddenly appear from all sides in a nineteenth-century village.
The Great Carillon
Le Grand Carillon is a show in an eighteenth-century, 16-meter high bell tower. The 70 bells play well-known pieces of music from history as the actors walk the walls of the carillon.
The Great Waters
Les Grandes Eaux is a fountain show, similar to that of the Palace of Versailles.
The Ballet of the Fire Extinguishers
Les Ballet des Sapeurs is a show that takes place near a burning vehicle, in the nineteenth century. It is based on the silent film and is performed entirely by children.
The First Kingdom
Le Premier Royaume is set in the fifth century and tells the story of Clovis and the Merovingians. You walk through the show.
