Puy du Fou

Infobox Amusement park
name = Puy du Fou


location = flagicon|France, Les Epesses, Vendée
opening_date = Cinésénie: 1978
Grand Parc: 1989
previous_names =
season = From May to September
area = Cinésénie:
convert|23|ha|acre
Grand Parc:
convert|45|ha|acre
owner = Association du Puy du Fou
homepage =
slogan =

Puy du Fou is a historical theme park in Les Epesses in the heart of the Vendée region of Western France. The park brings in some 1.2 million visitors every year, making it the second most popular attraction in France after Euro Disney [ [http://www.expatica.com/actual/article.asp?subchannel_id=61&story_id=39717 Weekend Breaks: the Vendée's Puy du Fou - Expatica ] ] .

History

The history of the Puy du Fou as a theme park started in 1977 when Phillippe de Villiers, a twenty-seven-year-old student (now a French politician) decided to create an original show named the Cinéscénie which means "the stage in moving".

When he discovered on the 13th of June 1977 the ruins of an old renaissance castle in the village of Les Epesses near Cholet, he wrote a good scenario very quickly about a local family named Maupillier (it's the real name of a soldier of Vendee at the time of the conflict between Vendee and French Republic during the French Revolution), spanning from the fourteenth century until World War II.

Phillippe de Villiers organised an association of 600 members (more than 3000 today) named "l'Association du Puy du Fou" which has as president today Phillippe de Villiers' son, Nicolas de Villiers.

When the first representation of the Cinescenie began in June 1978, the show didn't have great success, but that quickly changed by the end of the first season, and with that success the show grew into a huge spectacular. It has since spawned its own micro-industry of actors, prop-makers and trainers for the featured horse riding and sword fighting, which, since 1998, has been due to the efforts of the "Académies Junior" who organized shows every year outside the Cinéscénie, such as the Paris Paname in the "Halle Rennaissance" of the Grand Park, in March 2008.

The Grand Park of the Puy du Fou was opened near the Cinéscénie in 1989 and is today one of the most popular theme parks in France; in 2004, 98% of visitors were happy or very happy with their visit.fact|date=July 2008

Attractions

The park is split into five separate attractions, each running for approximately 30/40 minutes:

The Battle of the Keep is based around a French Donjon in the year 1429 during the "Grand Chivalry Festival" when an attack by English Knights disrupts the tournament. This show features Jousting, trick-riding, horseback duels and a movable, flame-throwing castle!

The Vikings is set in a reconstructed 1000 year old fortress that is attacked by a Viking Longship.The story begins with a marriage in the village, just before the arrival of a Viking Longboat.Special effects include the emergence of a Longboat from underwater, and a saint walking on the water!

Gladiators is set in a replica of an amphitheater that is 115 meters long and 75 meters wide and recreated the atmosphere of Gaul during Roman times. It features a traditional parade of people and animals, gladiatorial combat, chariot racing and executions. It is set during the time of Diocletian, when there was great unrest.

The Phantom Birds Dance. Dozens of birds of prey surge from the ruins and swoop low over the heads of the visitors. The falcons are placed on visitors heads by the falconer! (only hat-wearers)

Richeulieu's Musketeers features Musketeers performing swash-buckling sword fighting and Gypsy girls Flamenco dancing in water. Horses also perform special trotting/ jumping techniques. This is the only show that is staged indoors, in complete darkness.

Also, you can see others spectacles only in French. These spectacles are :
* Le Magicien Ménestrel
* Le Carillon Animé(musical show)
* Les Musiciens Traditionels(musical show)
* Le Chemin de la Mémoire
* L'Odyssée du Puy du Fou
* Le Quintette de Cuivres(musical show)
* La légende de Martin
* Les Automates Musiciens du Bourg 1900(musical show)

The Cinescenie

The main show takes place in the evening on a huge outdoor stage behind the ruined castle. It tells the story of the 700 years of history in the area. The Cinescene boasts the largest stage in the world, thousands of actors, hundreds of horses and about 400 fireworks per performance [ [http://www.expatica.com/actual/article.asp?subchannel_id=61&story_id=39717 Weekend Breaks: the Vendée's Puy du Fou - Expatica ] ] . All of the dialog is in French, but English dialog is provided via headphones. All of the actors and actresses (even the children) come from the local villages and are volunteers.The CineScenie is only peak season - starts 7th June in 2008 and not every day. It is bookable separately and has a separate entrance. All the tourist info centres sell tickets for the same price in advance.

References

External links

* [http://www.puydufou.com/uk/ Main site]
* [http://www.puyfolonaute.com/index.htm Puyfolonaute.com] a forum about the Puy du Fou in French but some members can answer your questions in English