Located in Les Epesses near Cholet in the Pays de la Loire region of western France, Puy du Fou sits in a picturesque rural setting. Visitors traveling to this western French destination can access the surrounding region near Cholet, making it a major highlight for those touring historical sights across western France. It has grown into the second most visited theme park in France, welcoming over two million visitors each year.
The park's story began in 1977 when Philippe de Villiers discovered the ruins of a Renaissance castle and created the outdoor night show, Cinéscénie. Performed by local volunteers organised under l'Association du Puy du Fou, the show officially launched in 1978. Current leadership continues under his son, Nicolas de Villiers as president. To complement the evening spectacle, the Grand Parc opened nearby in 1989, expanding the estate into a full-scale destination.
Unlike traditional amusement parks packed with roller coasters or water rides, Puy du Fou is famous for its 26 main historical shows, live performances, and walkthrough experiences. Guests explore grand arenas, medieval battlements, and period environments like Bourg Bérard and Chasseloup Village. Beyond the daytime park lies La Cité Nocturne, a themed resort area featuring six historical hotels where guests can stay in centuries past.
Puy du Fou is ideal for families, history enthusiasts, and travelers looking for multi-day trips. With translation devices available for main performances and an array of immersive walkthroughs, daytime shows, and the iconic Cinéscénie evening show, visitors of all ages can experience hundreds of years of French and world history brought vividly to life by thousands of actors and performers.
01 Signature rides & attractions
The park’s headline rides across its themed areas. Confirm heights and any single-rider lines on the day.
Compiled from Wikipedia · a full ride-by-ride list per themed area is on the way.
Park map
The free OpenStreetMap layer below shows the park and its surroundings — entrances, themed areas, car parks and access roads. Zoom in for detail; the official ride-by-ride park plan is linked below.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL, free). Official park maps are copyrighted — we link to them.
02 Tickets & prices
Ticket prices for Puy du Fou change by date and season, and the park sells single-day, multi-day and annual passes — buying online in advance is almost always cheaper than at the gate, and popular dates can sell out. Check the official site for live pricing before you travel.
We deliberately don’t list prices that change daily — the ticket button leads to live, up-to-date pricing.
03 Getting there & parking
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Les Epesses, near Cholet in the Pays de la Loire region of western France |
Getting there & parking · Last updated: 2026-09-12 · prices may change
04 Where to stay
On-site and resort hotels put you right at the gates — often with early park access — turning the visit into an easy two- or three-day trip.
Puy du Fou's first hotel designed to evoke a Roman villa in Gaul, featuring a full-scale Gallo-Roman street.
An intimate hotel styled as a late 18th-century Vendean house offering four luxury suites.
A resort hotel featuring 50 Merovingian stilt houses built over ponds from the era of King Clovis I.
Recreates the 1520 meeting between Francis I and Henry VIII, featuring 50 royal tents for guest stays.
A medieval fortress-themed hotel featuring 100 rooms within fortified castle walls.
A luxury hotel with eight ostentatious pavilions inspired by Château de Marly and a modern convention center.
05 Best time to visit & opening times
| Season | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Peak season | Summer | The main Cinéscénie night show is performed during peak season. |
| Summer season | Summer | Les Noces de Feu runs at night except on Fridays and Saturdays during summer when Cinéscénie performs. |
Opening times vary by day · Last updated: 2026-09-12 · check before you travel
06 Themed areas
Each area has its own theming — architecture, food and rides. Half the fun is simply walking through.
Good to know
- Electronic translation devices are available for main shows presented in French.
- Immersive walkthrough shows relying on live actors are presented strictly in French.
- The Cinéscénie night show requires separate booking and has a dedicated entrance.
- Falconers have trained rooks in the park to pick up small pieces of litter in exchange for food rewards.