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Original poster

Put du fou tips please

27 replies

Oohhaveabanana · 05/08/2018 22:45

We have just booked Day tickets for Thursday at Puy Du Fou. Looking at the app and timetable it seems that having some sort of plan is better than just going and winging it. For those that have been before - do you have any tips for us, must sees, what to avoid etc? Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
Oohhaveabanana · 05/08/2018 22:47

Doh, title spelling fail.

OP posts:
greencybermummy · 05/08/2018 22:55

You can't see it all in one day. The Gallo-Roman is a must. Last year the bird display was amazing too. The indoor one was incredible (and gives you a break from the sunshine). Stay late if you can for the evening display as that is pretty amazing (orgue du feu). Last year the viking display was worth it too and there was a knights of the round table which we loved. It is an incredible place, well organised and you'll have a great day. Sorry i can't remember the names of all the attractions. Just do as much as you can. It's well signed and they can get lots of people in to the main attractions.

reallyneedmoresleep · 05/08/2018 22:55

It’s ace but really crazy! Get there early and arrive at each show at least 20 minutes before they start. It’s worth buying the translator headphones. Some shows don’t have a lot of shade so take plenty of sun cream and hats. Food v expensive so take a picnic.
The bird show, Roman show and Viking show were all amazing. My kids found the Ww1 walk through a bit traumatic.
It’s three years since we went but my kids still talk about it

AgentProvocateur · 05/08/2018 23:00

It's been about 8 years since we went and my (now grown up) kids still talk about it. It's a great day out, but try and avoid the coliseum at midday. I've never been so hot.

swimbikerun123 · 05/08/2018 23:07

Birds, Vikings, Romans, Donjon are a must!
Get there an hour before it opens.
Take food so you can eat in queues and get to more shows.
Take water
Wear good shoes, you will walk a lot
Stay all day and check boards, sometimes they add extra shows on.
Plan shows night before, internet has schedule on it.
Enjoy, it's amazing!

DramaAlpaca · 05/08/2018 23:10

It's years since I was there, but like another poster said, my now adult DC still talk about it. So I've no tips for you as such, except to enjoy it, it's a wonderful day out.

herecomesthsun · 05/08/2018 23:17

We asked the guys at the main entrance desk for advice on the best order to do things, I remember them being very helpful.

LIZS · 06/08/2018 08:20

Iirc the map they give you suggests an itinerary. Remember taking dd , then 7 ish , on an underground attraction with tableaux from different periods and she hated it, but it was really hard to make an early exit Blush The arena show was fab as were the other staged events. Make sure you get the translated commentary. The birds of prey were mesmerising. If you are staying locally the evening show is supposed to be amazing.

Original poster
Oohhaveabanana · 06/08/2018 12:40

Thank you everyone. Wasn't sure what to expect but it's good to know that everyone rates it. Looking forward to it and will definitely make a plan before we go.

OP posts:
MeDented · 06/08/2018 12:44

bird show, vikings and colliseum are my top 3 but they add new shows every year. We have been twice, it really is a fantastic place! I try and tell friends about it but its hard to describe a theme park with no rides, but it is well done. I remember being mesmerised as a whole stone built castle appeared to rise out of the ground.

Moussemoose · 06/08/2018 12:54

The Romans = "Bring on the Lions" my kids nearly choked.......

Only the French........

One of the classic days of all the holidays we had as a family. EnjoyGrin

Original poster
Oohhaveabanana · 06/08/2018 16:05

Medented - Yes, I'm having trouble selling it to 4 children who think that rollercoasters are the only entertainment! But** I'm hoping they will be fine when we are there.

Some mentioned queuing- is it likely we will get into each show if we get there 10/15mins early? Or do we need to get there super early to make sure we get a seat? Is there a chance we won't get in?

Thanks for all your tips. Very helpful

OP posts:
CraftyGin · 06/08/2018 16:08

I agree to have a plan. We winged it and were not able to get onto any of the evening activities.

Prepare to be completely overwhelmed. It’s amazing.

Don’t bothers with the translation headsets.

StinkyMcgrinky · 06/08/2018 16:13

We took my young sons there back in June. Loved it. Read your OP green with envy, I had no idea what to expect but it is unlike anything I have ever seen before. It was amazing!

Roman show was breathtaking
Bird show was amazing, my 3 year old son particularly loved this as eagles/owls/storks etc...are inches from your head
Viking show was brilliant

Agree with taking hats or some form of shade as the shows themselves can get very hot, wear good shoes for walking and take drinks/snacks with you to save time and money.

Enjoy, you'll love it

StinkyMcgrinky · 06/08/2018 16:14

We got to most shows around 10mins before they started and had no problems, but it was June so not sure how it'll be in the height of summer. The staff tend to have a cut off point so they know when to stop the queue, you won't be waiting only to not get in right at the front

user1486076969 · 06/08/2018 17:23

Another vote for Birds and Colliseum

longbar · 06/08/2018 17:28

I have been there once in July, it rained for every second of every minute we were there. Still good though!

MarmiteTermite · 07/08/2018 11:20

We went 3 years ago and really enjoyed it. The queues were very long though particularly for the coliseum and Viking shows. I also really enjoyed the 3 musketeers one (but couldn’t understand much!).

shellyandlayla · 07/08/2018 11:26

Really pleased to read all these positive comments - I've just booked 2 days/1 night staying in the park for my son's 10th birthday at the end of August. Am hoping he's about the right age to appreciate it.

MrsAidanTurner · 07/08/2018 13:03

Can you report back op this is one of my must dos!!

Original poster
Oohhaveabanana · 07/08/2018 19:22

MrsAidanTurner - yes I will come back and let you know how we get on.
Been 36 degrees here for last few days, and it's due to rain the day we go though! Confused

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HiGunny · 07/08/2018 19:36

We went in June with a 3 yo and 5yo and they both loved it! Agree with other posters not to miss the Vikings, Colisseum and the birds. It also started lashing on us in the evening so we went to an indoor show called la dernier panache where the entire auditorium rotates...it was pretty impressive. You won't get to all the shows in one day so just plan your itinerary in advance. Oh and get a photo taken early on - they give you an armband so other photographers will stop hassling you Smile

frenchfancy · 08/08/2018 13:55

We live nearby and go nearly every year. It really is as good as everyone says.

  • Get there early. First show starts at 10:15 but gates open at 9:30. They have to do bag checking these days so it is worth being there for 9-9:15
  • They let you into each show 30 minutes before it starts. You need to be there before they start letting you in.
  • rain will not spoil your day but make sure you have ponchos or raincoats.
  • do not go to the shop until near the end of the day or you will have to carry Swords around.
  • Wear comfortable shoes and expect to do a lot of walking. Don't worry about looking like a tourist, everyone does.
  • for translations you can now download an app before you go.
  • The secret of Verdun is scary for Young children.
  • If you like riding do not miss the Secret of the Lance.

I promise you the children will love it - it is so difficult to explain to people what it is like but all our guests go and claim it to be the best day out ever (even those that visit Disney on their way here say the Puy du Fou is better).

Original poster
Oohhaveabanana · 10/08/2018 21:39

Well...! What a day we had yesterday Smile
We had an amazing time. It's an incredible place. The more I think about it today, the more amazed and baffled I am by some of the shows!MrsAidanTurner - all the advice given on this thread was perfect. (Thanks everyone!) Definitely do an itinerary the night before so you have a plan. And definitely download the App. (We managed to see 7 shows, 2 walk throughs, have dinner there and see the evening show at 10pm) We made sure there was a 45min gap between each show to give us 15mins to get there and join the queue 1/2 hour before the start. We stuck to the plan and had to walk a fair bit, but it was fine even with 4 children. You'll have a great time. I already want to go again!

OP posts:
greencybermummy · 13/08/2018 20:43

Glad you had a great time, just checked back as I saw a post on fb about PdF and wondered how you'd got on. Apparently the christmas shows are amazing too, they're on my bucket list!

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