Puy du Fou

About

Le Puy du Fou ([i dy fu]) is a theme park in Les Epesses, in the Pays de la Loire region of western France. It receives more than 2 million visitors every year, making it one of the most popular theme parks in France. In 2024, it was the third most visited theme park in France, behind Disneyland Paris and Parc Asterix, with 2.8 million annual visitors.

History: The idea of Puy du Fou originated in 1977, when Philippe de Villiers, a 27-year-old student, decided to create an original show named "Cinéscénie". On 13 June 1977, Villiers discovered the ruins of an old Renaissance castle in the village of Les Epesses, near Cholet, and wrote a story about a (fictitious) local family named Maupillier (the real name of a soldier of Vendée at the time of the conflict between Vendée and the French Republic during the French Revolution), detailing the family's history from that period until World War II. Philippe de Villiers organized an association of 600 members (3,650 today) named "L'Association du Puy du Fou", which current president is his son, Nicolas de Villiers. When Cinéscénie first started in June 1978, the show did not have great success. But during the first season, it blurred...