Underrated theme park is one of 'best in Europe' despite having no rides

18 January 2024 , 11:13

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Puy du Fou has no rides but it's still tipped as one of Europe's best theme parks (Image: Copyright unknown)

A theme park that doesn't have any rollercoasters or attractions may not sound amazing at a first glance - but there's one park that's defying the odds.

Puy du Fou in France doesn't have rides but it's still tipped as one of the top 10 best theme parks in Europe, even outranking the likes of Disneyland Paris and Europa Park. In fact, it attracts around 2.5million visitors every year; and that's all thanks to its spectacular shows.

The theme park is home to a host of historical re-enactments ranging from the Middle Ages and Roman Empire through to World War I. Think everything from Roman gladiator battles in huge arenas to Vikings' rampages with blazing fire effects and gasp-inducing stunts, and even knights embarking on jousting duels.

The shows have some pretty incredible effects

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The park is also notorious for generally not having long queues for its performances, but it is recommended that if you want to see everything you'll need to spend at least two days in the resort. It's also worth noting that the shows are in French, but the Puy du Fou app offers a translation service so make sure you pack headphones if you're planning a trip!

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Over on Tripadvisor, the reviews are absolutely glowing. One person said the park is "possibly my favourite place on earth" while another urged people to "just go - don't question it".

One happy holidaymaker said: "Puy Du Fou is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. They call it an amusement park, but there are no rides, just 'experiences' and 'spectacles'. We watched in amazement over and over again as each 'spectacle' outdid the last."

Some visitors did note that during peak seasons they did have to wait for shows, but that generally they didn't face long queues for any of the attractions, or opted for specific passes on busy days to try and help cut down any potential wait times.

There are various shows throughout the day (Publicity Picture)

One person wrote: "This was one of the best days out and very good value for money. We went with four kids (11, 8, 6 & 2). We got there early with plenty of snacks (eating as we queued) to get a much crammed into our day. Managed to get to most the show except one only because we went to see the meme show twice. The shows were absolutely fabulous and everyone enjoyed themselves. I recommend taking some headphones if you want English translations."

Getting to Puy du Fou isn't too complicated either. It's located on the outskirts of the town of Les Épesses, about an hour's drive from Nantes airport. The good news is that there are plenty of direct flights to Nantes from the UK with airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair.

As for where to stay? Puy du Fou has six themed hotels on site, but you can also find plenty of budget-friendly Airbnb stays and small B&Bs in the area. For example, Booking.com has a guide to some of the best cheap hotels nearby.

Adult tickets start from £37.76 when booked online, child tickets from £26.61. You can find out more on puydufou.com.

Julie Delahaye