13 June 1977
When the Château of Puy du Fou was discovered on 13 June 1977 by Philippe De Villiers, it was little more than a nettle-covered ruin. Forty years later, Puy du Fou - created by Philippe De Villiers - is hailed as an international success story, with more than 2.3 million visitors each year. Here are the milestones in our 40-year history:
16 June 1978
The first Cinéscénie performance takes place on the 16th June, performed by more than 600 members of the Puy du Fou association, who are known as the ‘Puyfolais’. The spellbound public applaud the actors and more than 80,000 visitors are enthralled during the first year.
1981
Georges Delerue composes the first original score for the Cinéscénie.
1984
Puy du Fou holds its first charity performance with Yves Montand in aid of cancer research. Puy du Fou has since donated more than 3,000,000 euros to various charitable organisations in France and around the world.
1989
In order to cope with the success of Cinéscénie, which was attracting increasing numbers of visitors, the ‘Puyfolais’ decide to create Puy du Fou’s Grand Parc. This innovative daytime attraction brings together culture and leisure, fun and education, spectacle and emotion.
1990
The Cinéscénie's dismantlable wooden seating is no longer adequate. The descision is taken to build a grandstand to seat 12,000.
1990 - 1994
Each year, a new show is added to the Grand Parc: The “Spectacle de Fauconnerie”, a falconry show (1991), the “Chemin de la Mémoire (1991), the “Théâtre d’Eau” (1992) and the “Fête de Chevalerie” (1994).
1993
Alexander Solzhenitsyn hosts an extraordinary evening at Puy du Fou paying tribute to the heros of the Vendean uprising. In the same year, Puy du Fou hosts the start of the Tour de France, which also returns in 1997 and 1999.
1995
Within a few months, the Cité Médiévale in the Grand Parc is built and opens its stalls.
A new show is created at the foot of the fortress: the “Magicien Ménestrel”.
1997
At the heart of the Grand Parc, the Fort de l’An Mil takes shape and offers visitors a journey to the time of the Vikings. This year, the Puyfolais celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Cinéscénie, which is marked by the expansion of the stage to 5 hectares and an additional 2,000 seats.
1998
The Junior Academy is founded to train Puy du Fou’s artists and technicians of the future. It now teaches 29 artistic and theatre technology disciplines and takes 600 pupils each year.
2000
The “Bataille du Donjon” show is created for the Grand Parc. It is narrated by actor Alain Delon and includes breathtaking stunts.
2001
The Grand Parc’s Gallo-Roman Stadium is opened at an event hosted by Patrick Poivre d'Arvor and Jean Claude Killy. The new Gladiator show is the only one of its kind in the world. The Cinéscénie also celebrates its 7 millionth spectator.
2003
A new show “Le Bal des Oiseaux Fantômes” opens in the Grand Parc, a magnificent fantasy featuring birds of prey. In the same year, a new Cinéscénie show is performed with Alain Delon, Michel Drucker, Patrick Poivre d'Arvor, and Jean Claude Killy. Nick Glennie Smith composes a new soundtrack.
2004
At the entrance of the Grand Parc, the Bourg 1900 transports visitors to the heart of the Belle Epoque through its old shops, its rural guard, its musical automatons and its Art Nouveau bistro.
2005
The Grand Parc revamps its Viking show with even more astonishing special effects! The Cinéscénie stage is enlarged with the construction of an enormous new set representing a village which covers 10,000m2.
2006
The Grand Carrousel, a 6,000m2 riding house, is built to accommodate the new swashbuckling show “Mousquetaire de Richelieu”.
2007
Visitors are now able to extend their journey through time by staying in Puy du Fou's Villa Gallo-Romaine, in the heart of ancient Rome!
2008
Puy du Fou celebrates its 30th birthday with three new additions: “L'Odyssée du Puy du Fou”, the “Légende de Martin”, and a stunning new finale to the Cinéscénie.
2009
Visitors to the Grand Parc discover Les Orgues de Feu, a magical night show, and can now relive the charm of the 18th century by staying in the new Puy du Fou hotel: the Logis de Lescure.
2010
A new medieval adventure with great spectacle is born in the Grand Parc: the Secret of the Lance, an equestrian acrobatics show in the era of Joan of Arc. A third hotel is created : Les Iles de Clovis. On more than 7 hectares, this real lake city transports the visitors to the Merovingian period!
2011
The Gallo-Roman Stadium is given a makeover and houses a new show, “Le Signe du Triomphe”.
2012
Puy du Fou immerses its visitors in the world of Jean de La Fontaine. Visitors are able to experience a playful and interactive adventure in a magical garden full of surprises.
2013
Puy du Fou opens a completely new show for visitors, “Les Chevaliers de la Table Ronde” (Knights of the Round Table) with extravagant special effects mixed with the enchantment of Arthurian legends.
2014
The Puy du Fou is expanding with the new world of the Renaissance and its many new features, including the hotel Le Camp du Drap d'Or, as well as a new show: La Renaissance du Château.
2015
A new show opens in the Grand Parc. The poignantly realistic “Amoureux de Verdun” tells the story of the daily lives of French soldiers in the trenches of Verdun during the Great War.
The Cinéscénie includes a brand new scene for the 2015 season: the "Venetian Ball".
2016
Never before has the Puy du Fou seen so much! The Théâtre des Géants is coming out of the ground, with its 360° rotating stand and its breathtaking sets, to bring to life the new creation of the Puy du Fou: Le Dernier Panache, a vibrant tribute to the resistance fighters of the Vendée War.
Visitors will discover the destiny of Charette, naval officer and hero of the American War of Independence, whose life will change in 1793 in a final fight for freedom!
2017
To celebrate 40 years, Puy du Fou offers its visitors 4 new creations including the “Grand Carillon” - an unusual musical show - and “La Citadelle” the Cité Nocturne’s fifth themed hotel, where visitors are invited to spend the night under the protection of the knights of Puy du Fou.
2018
The Puy du Fou invites its visitors to take to the sea aboard an 18th century frigate and experience the odyssey of a one-way expedition: "The Mystery of La Pérouse", an original creation for 2018!
2019
In 2019, follow the incredible fate of Clovis, the famous King of the Franks, in the Puy du Fou's new immersive show : "Le Premier Royaume".
2020
A record year for the Puy du Fou! In 2020, a grandiose hotel, Le Grand Siècle, and a one-of-a-kind convention center, Le Théâtre Molière, will be built. A new night-time fairy tale, Les Noces de Feu, will illuminate the evenings of our visitors.
