Destination Europe

La Cinéscénie at Puy Du Fou – Review

Posted on
June 28, 2018

Puy du Fou is like no attraction I have even witnessed and, if I am honest, I am still struggling to put into words how awesome it is.
The shows are literally ‘out of this world’ and will have you questioning yourself about how they pull off some of their amazing stunts and tricks.
There was not one show that didn’t impress me and I loved them all, but throughout our visit we were told “Just wait for La Cinéscénie“.
La Cinéscénie costs an extra €27 on top of park admission, although you can get this discounted if you buy it as a combined ticket, but it is well worth it, although I would not recommend it for young children as it is staged very late in the evening – not starting until 10pm and finishing just after midnight and you enter the stands via a football stadium like entrance.
La Cinéscénie has been seen by over 11 million spectators and involves 2,400 volunteers / actors called Puyfolais, on a stage spread over 23 hectares with a staggering 28,000 costumes and shows on Friday and Saturday nights, from the beginning of June to the beginning September.
La Cinéscénie audience
All the shows at Puy du Fou are based on French history and in particular, the history of the region of Vendee and La Cinéscénie is no exception.
La Cinéscénie tells the story of the Maupillier family from the Middle Ages through to the Second World War. It starts with a family sitting around a table who tell their son that the eldest Maupillier son is always called Jacques, which leads the young boy on an adventure back in time to follow the adventures of his namesakes.
La Cinéscénie
As with all their shows, there is a great mix of animals and actors and from the start you start questioning ‘how do they do that?’.
I used the Puy du Fou app on my phone to listen to the translation to English, but most of the people I was with, just drank in the spectacle as you could follow the story by watching the action unfold in front of you.
La Cinéscénie Puy du Fou
Because of the size of the set, it is difficult to know where to look as the action is taking place all around you and I should imagine you could watch it several times and see something different every time. Not only are there the actors and the animals to watch, but also projections, fountains, fire, lights and more.
La Cinéscénie Puy du Fou Night
Puy du Fou have also recently introduced 50 drones to the performance, taking the Cinéscénie stage into the sky, adding a third dimension to the show.
Fountains
The result is an awe-inspiring spectacle that is second to none, taking you on an emotional historical journey like no other.
Fireworks

Top Tips for La Cinéscénie

  1. Photography is tricky as it’s too dark for the camera so leave it behind and take it all in without worrying about getting the perfect shot
  2. Take a jumper – the show doesn’t start until gone 10pm and finished after midnight and it gets chilly
  3. Take a waterproof jacket – it’s all set outdoors and will go ahead even if it rains
  4. There is no interval, so have a ‘comfort stop’ before the performance begins, it is very dark and fellow audience members won’t appreciate getting up for you during the show
  5. Alcoholic refreshments are available, but I recommend taking a bottle of water to keep hydrated


Read the reviews of my fellow press trippers below:
Juggle Mum Blog: Review Puy du Fou
Extraordinary Chaos: A Guide for visiting Puy du Fou
Globetotting: The 8 shows at Puy du Fou that will blow your mind
We do have an English equivalent that I would love to go and see in Durham. Check out Kynren here.
Thank you to BritMums and Puy du Fou for hosting this press trip for the purpose of this review.
 

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23 Comments
  1. Reply

    Jenni

    June 28, 2018

    Wow this looks incredible. I love the setting, the vibrant lights and performers. We have just come back from France I love the country and culture I would love to attend this,

  2. Reply

    Laura Dove

    June 28, 2018

    WOW that looks stunning! I can imagine how amazing it must have been to watch, my children would have been mesmerised no doubt!

  3. Reply

    Jim Smith

    June 28, 2018

    It really takes 2 days to see most of the shows and the forest and gardens in the 125 acre park. They have successfully rebuilt some middle-age settlements and villages and you get a chance to watch some of the ‘settlers’ perform their chores. Puy du Fou is truly one of those stops you must make in the heart of the Vendée region of Western France.

  4. Reply

    Rhian Westbury

    June 29, 2018

    That’s so good that there was an app to translate the show into English, the photos look amazing x

  5. Reply

    Nadine Hill

    June 29, 2018

    I adored this show and you really have to be there to appreciate the grand spectacle of it all! It really is quite epic. “Incroyable!”

  6. Reply

    Joanna

    June 29, 2018

    This sounds like an amazing show, a once in a lifetime experience. It’s amazing that the action takes place on so many levels, including the sky! I’d love to see the Cinescenie one day!

  7. Reply

    Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs

    June 29, 2018

    Wow! What a wonderful show and so much going on! I bet it has an amazing atmosphere. My boys would love to watch something like this.

  8. Reply

    Lilinha

    June 29, 2018

    Wow! What an amazing show and unforgettable experience. It’s very interesting how animals and people are part of it. Would love to watch it one day!

  9. Reply

    Sam | North East Family Fun Blog

    June 29, 2018

    Eeeek I am so excited! I watched some drones do their thing last weekend as part of the opening of the Great Exhibition of the North and I was just saying I can’t wait to see them again.

  10. Reply

    Katja Gaskell

    June 29, 2018

    This truly was the show of all shows! I think you could watch it a dozen times and still not catch everything that goes on. Truly spectacular!

  11. Reply

    Alex

    June 30, 2018

    Wow this looks fantastic! What a fab place to visit 🙂 I’ve added it to my bucket list!

  12. Reply

    Tanya

    June 30, 2018

    What an incredible show, I love stuff like this. I love that they have an app to translate it for you as well as the action being so well portrayed that you don’t have to use it

  13. Reply

    Claire Justine

    June 30, 2018

    This looks amazing. So beautiful with all the lights at night and fireworks. I would love to go and see it 🙂

  14. Reply

    Bella and Dawn at Dear Mummy Blog

    June 30, 2018

    I can’t believe how big it is! Sounds like an amazing performance, I bet La Cinéscénie is going to stick with you for a long time!

  15. Reply

    Charli

    July 1, 2018

    This sounds and looks like such a phenomenal event! Although I would struggle staying awake after 10 (I’m such an early to bed girl).
    C x

  16. Reply

    Jen from Jenography.net

    July 2, 2018

    Fab post and you’re so right about leaving the camera at home — there’s so much to take in and enjoy. It’s best not to be distracted.

  17. Reply

    Stephanie

    July 2, 2018

    wow! This looks AMAZING! What a site to see

  18. Reply

    Nadia

    July 2, 2018

    It certainly looks spectacular. Glad you had such a good time.

  19. Reply

    Louise

    July 3, 2018

    Oh, wow! This looks absolutely incredible. I think my two would love to see it. They’re into stuff like this big time 😉
    Louise x

  20. Reply

    Jemma

    July 3, 2018

    Oh how gorgeous looks amazing! Love the lights the photography is amazing!

  21. Reply

    Nichola - Globalmouse

    July 3, 2018

    This looks incredible – is it linked to Kynren? I see you’ve linked to the page about it. I would love to see this, it looks so atmospheric.

  22. Reply

    Lucy Dorrington

    July 3, 2018

    This sounds spectacular and so educational, what a great way to learn about French history!

  23. Reply

    Angela Ricardo Bethea

    July 3, 2018

    Whoa. I love fountains and fireworks! I would love to go here!

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KARA GUPPY
Bournemouth

Are we nearly there yet? is a new online blog run by me, Kara Guppy, and is named as such thanks to my daughter Eliza who always asks that very question when we are less than 5 minutes up the road heading off on our adventures. You may know me from my other family blog chelseamamma.co.uk