We had a great day out at Les Epesses in Puy de Foy, especially for those with children not too young. Ours are between 8 and 11. The 13,000 seat Roman amphitheatre with lions, gladiators and chariot races, Viking camp and 'Battaille of the Donjon' are the best of the attractions. The Bataille is best at night, for a few euros more. The cinescenei is even better, but more expensive. The evening events can get quite cold, take jumpers/coats. Otherwsie we have been there for the last 2 years and enjoy every minute.
If you do go the the evening events, it can be a very long day!

I don't speak or understand much French but was able to fully enjoy the event. Allow a full day to see this historical gem. Make sure you you have a guide with event timings for maximum enjoyment. Plenty of variety. Horse riding show -amazing!. Wonderful time. A must see. Have been before and will certainly go again.

Had a wonderful two day visit to Puy du Fou but unfortunately the evening show was not on so will definitely be going back to catch that!

This review of Puy du Fou superseeds the previous one which was somehow "corrupted" - it failed to transmit in full!

The best day top go is a Tuesday as the parc is open till late AND the Bataile de Donjon is repeated at 10:30pm in the dark - yes it does work and is VV impressive (surcharge of 1 euro) - buy your tickets for this on entry - they go VERY quickly.

To describe Puy du Fou as a theme parc is inappropriate - it is a parc dedicated to the history of the Vendee throughout the ages, with a series of "events" or "spectacles" as the french describe them to illustrate the history.
I won't go into detail, but to give you an idea, visit the website at: www.puydufou.com - this gives a really good overview and if anything understates the quality and value of the parc.

There are 5 main "spectacles"
Tthe falconry display: trully amazing - at the finale there are 30+ birds of prey flying all around you - the display has a simple storyline - easy to follow.
The Vikings - again - this as a pageant that lasts approx 40 mins - following a fictitious story of events in a samll French viallge at the end of the first Millenium - very entertaining - even wihtout french the story is easy to follow.
The Gladiators - only the French could build a 6000 seater version of the Circus Maximus and put on a pageant, based around the area where archeological findings have shown there was a Roman lgion based. The story is based on one of the centurions converting to Christianity and taking on the local Roman Govenor's henchmen. Tremendous fun - complete with chariot race aka. Ben Hur!
The Bataille de Donjon - a re-enactment of one of the battles from the 100 years war against the English - but with a lots of super horsemanship built into the show.
New for 2006 - the Musqueteers - I'm waiting to visit this summer - but if it is anything like as good as the rest - it will be well worth it.

Plus in the parc they have rebuilt from original materials a complete mediaeval village, an 18th centrury village and a village of 1000 AD. In each of there there are artisans demonstrating the crafts of the periods and lots of other little activities going on.

Finally, the Cinescenie. this is an evening chow put on on Friday & saturday noights from May to September. It has a cast of over 8--. It follows the history of a fictional family (the Maupelliers) from the middle ages to the end of WW2. It doesn't start till it is dark - ie. nearlyt 11pm in July, and lasts approx 2 hours. Again French is not essential, but it does help. The show is very visual and stunning.

Now here's the good bit - if you can book tickets in advance well and good (and then also book translation headsets if required) but you can't run up on the evening WITHOPUT a ticket and purchase a "standby".
How this works is that 15 minutes before the show is due to start they let in everyone with a standby ticket and sit you on the steps of the 12,000 purpose built stand. SO take a cushion to sit on and some warm clothing (it can get cold by 1am).

The parc seems to have a philosophy that if you have made the effort to get there, then they will make you welcome.

Once again - I would encourage you to visit the website - then the parc - you won't be disappointed.

To describe Puy du Fou as a theme parc is inappropriate - it is a parc dedicated to the history of the Vendee throughout the ages, with