Puy de Fou - is it worth it??

[Porthia]

Hello! Off to France in the summer and was planning to go to Put de Fou but it’s mega expensive so I was wondering if it’s worth it!? And if so is it worth doing the “emotion pass” to get quick access to shows and seats etc?

kids are 5,7,11 years old

thanks!!

My friend went last year and has raved about it ever since.

100% worth it IME. We (adults!) have loved it every time we’ve been.

We’ve never bought the emotion pass but we’ve only been out of French school holidays and during the week.

Hopefully someone who’s been at busy times will be be along to advise

We have just decided against it for this August, because the reviews for August last year talk about enormous queues in the heat (and only being able to see a few shows as a result) and the emotion passes are sold out for all of August.

However I would love to go at a less busy time of year. Apparently they are looking at building one in the UK but still a few years away I imagine.

Hmmm interesting thank you. There are emotion passes available for the date I am thinking of but with 3 kids it’s an extra €125 on top of entry and food etc

sounds like it’s only worth it if you get the passes.

We are planning to go in August. Wanted to get an emotion pass but they were sold out months ago. I think we'll still go but try to be organised about which shows we want to see and go with the expectation that we will have to spend quite a lot of time queuing.

we went years ago and i still look back with great memories. Must have been school hols as kids were secondary school. They all complained about going, but i insisted as i had already bought the tickets. Was the highlight of the holiday. Didnt queue as i would have remembered that. We didnt go to the evening thing as it was too long a day, but my friend said that was really good (this was probably about 15 years ago).

Gladiators in wagons; men on horseback about 3 high, the best bird of prey demo i've ever seen or likely to......these were just a few of the things i remember.

We’ve been about 6 times so may be a little biased!!! It’s truly brilliant! We’ve had emotion passes for one of the visits, stayed overnight in the Roman Villa (really enjoyed it) and been to both night time shows.

Honestly we love it! Far far far better than anything you can imagine it will be.

Go for it, have a ball and enjoy everything including the villages and towns, The crafts, The fast food even is excellent. Get the app on your phones and you’ll be super organised. If you’re only going for one day you’ll wish you’d booked for 2.

It's bonkers and great! We talk & laugh about it occasionally 10 years or so on.
I don't know what an emotion pass is! I do recall queuing but that it was worth it.

Yes, it's great. We went with extended family, and kids aged 5-15 and we all thought it was fab

It’s amazing, definitely definitely go. We had emotion passes and it was worth it.

I suppose you could for for two days instead but I don’t know if that’s cheaper or not.

A couple of people had recommended it to us, independently of each other, and they were right. I don’t know why it’s not more well known in the UK.

We were there 2 weekends away 30/06-1/07. Definitely recommend. The first day-Friday was busy but manageable. Saturday was heaving. Even getting inside, security checks, meals etc were awful queues. We had the emotion pass for Saturday and so glad we did. Most of the main shows were closed about an hour before.
Also stretch out for La cinescie. Spectacular! and despite us sitting in the rain for over an hour so worth it. It's only on a Friday and Saturday June to September I think and booked up in advance.
The food was really disappointing and overpriced however (they didint even have a croissant or pastry in the park!) so if you can take a picnic.

Yes, we went 15 or so years ago and the kids (now adults) still talk about it.

We've been in August twice on weekdays. Didn't have the emotion pass. Managed to see the main shows and absolutely loved it. It can be really hot, and shade is limited at some shows so suglasses, decent hats, plenty of water and sun protection is a must. We took a picnic. We loved it with an 8, 6 and 2 year old.

My family live near Puy De Fou and I think over the tyears every member of my family has worked there 😁

I have been more times than I can count over the years and it really is fantastic. They keep adding more and more and each time I go there is always something new to see. I definitely recommend it, the DCs will love it.

If anyone can't go to France, may I recommend Kynren, in Bishop Auckland County Durham.
It is not as big as Puy de Fou, but it's very good.
It's an outdoor live action show starting from the 29th July.
Its really really good, it tells the Tale of England. There's horses, battles, songs, fireworks, the lot.
There isn't food or any villages like Puy De Fou, but prices start from £17 per person.

www.11arches.com

Best day out we've ever had!

Only did 1 day and just did the main shows.

You don't necessarily need the emotion pass if you are there for 2 days minimum and don't mind queueing. You need to get to the shows well in advance and they close the entrances when full. They dont do the the same timetable every day so download the app and they put the time table up a day in advance so you can plan your day. There is also a translation service on the app for most of the shows, you need to be on the parc wifi and have a set of headphones.
The app also has a map and directions around.

Ok you have all persuaded me!! Managed to buy emotion passes and tickets. We will only go for one day and 5 year old will not want to queue for anything so I thought it was worth it.

sounds amazing!

It's so good, have been twice. Never got emotion passes and managed to see quite a lot.

They publish the timetable the day before and it's worth looking at it to plan the day. But yes it does take time to walk to the shows and get in, longer than you think. It's worth prioritising the shows you want to see and fitting others in if you can.

Also, do what the French do and eat your picnic lunch in the queue- baguettes etc. It's the only time I have never seen the French take their time over lunch, la a tablecloth down etc.

Wear comfortable shoes and be dressed to wait in heat and rain.

We did the cinesine the second time, and booked the L'Orangerie for dinner in the evening whilst we waited. It was the cheapest, and buffet style which helped with fussy kids.

I have no idea what an emotion pass is but Puy du Fou is one of the best places we've ever visited with the children. Backpack with water/food/sunscreen as shade is limited but definitely worth going.

We loved it. Went 4 years ago.

But.....be prepared for the many,many different animals that are used in some of the shows. They looked very healthy but were wild animals used for entertainment.
I'm not sure what to think about it.

Definitely worth getting the translation too!

Been twice. Not bought Emotion passes either time. First time was just outside the August holiday rush and we had a great time. Second time was last year in August in 37 degrees and it was much less enjoyable. As others have told you, we saw fewer shows and queues were much longer. It IS amazing but I would not go in August again or if temperatures anywhere near that high. If you do go, take tons of food and drink so you don't waste time queuing to buy or being served. Just snack whilst waiting for shows to start.

Had another look and there are now Pass Emotion available for a few dates in August so I’ve bitten the bullet and booked for two days! Only got the Pass for the first day but hopefully we can cover some of the big shows then at least. Now just have to hope it’s not too boiling hot or too wet!!

I absolutely loved it, and have been twice. We camped within walking distance nearby and did the Cinescenie, then a full park day with dinner show, then another day to see all the bits we'd missed.

Thanks for this - I just did the same. Broke out in a cold sweat at how much it cost!