La Cinéscénie du Puy du Fou
The world's largest night show
About La Cinéscénie
La Cinéscénie: An extraordinary show
Born on June 16, 1978, from the imagination of Philippe de Villiers, La Cinéscénie du Puy du Fou is universally recognized as the world's largest night show. Every summer, from June to September, on Friday and Saturday evenings, it attracts approximately 360,000 spectators per season to the monumental stands facing the Renaissance castle of Les Épesses.
An epic tale of seven centuries of history
For 90 minutes, the show retraces the tumultuous history of the Vendée region, from the Middle Ages to the post-war era, through the epic saga of the Maupillier family, a humble peasant lineage experiencing the great moments and dramas of the Vendée territory. Wars of Vendée, Renaissance, French Revolution, Great War: each era comes to life through grandiose scenes blending emotion, history, and live performance.
2,400 volunteer actors on 23 hectares
The scale of La Cinéscénie defies imagination: 2,400 actors and extras, all volunteers, from the surrounding communes and nicknamed the Puyfolais, perform on a natural stage of 23 hectares. The Puy du Fou association brings together over 4,200 volunteers who contribute to this exceptional human adventure. The actors wear no less than 28,000 costumes, meticulously recreated with remarkable historical accuracy.
A dazzling technical feat
La Cinéscénie mobilizes colossal technical resources: 2,000 projectors, 142 water jets, fireworks, 3D video mapping, pyrotechnic effects, light drones, and a 360° spatialized sound system immerse the audience in a total sensory experience. The show is renewed each year with new sequences and technological innovations, earning it the title of Best European Event in 2014.
A living cultural heritage
Since its creation in 1978, La Cinéscénie has welcomed over 13 million spectators. It stands as a unique testament to civic engagement and the heritage of the Vendée, carried by generations of passionate volunteers who have perpetuated this spectacular tradition for nearly half a century.
La Cinéscénie — edition 2026
La Cinéscénie returns in 2026 for 28 exceptional performances, from Saturday, June 6 to Saturday, September 12. The world's largest night show takes place on Friday and Saturday evenings on the 23-hectare stage in Les Épesses, Vendée.
2026 Season — 28 Confirmed Performances
The 49th season of La Cinéscénie spans nearly four months, from June 6 to September 12, 2026, with 28 performances scheduled every Friday and Saturday evening (with a few exceptions at the beginning of the season). Ticket sales opened on October 7, 2025, and the highly sought-after tickets sell out quickly — most summer evenings are sold out.
Showtimes
The show starts at 10:30 PM in June and July, and at 10:00 PM in August and September, due to the earlier sunset. The show lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, and the stands open 1 hour and 30 minutes before the performance begins.
The World's Most Grandiose Night Show
With 2,550 volunteer actors, 28,000 costumes, a 23-hectare natural stage facing the Renaissance castle of Les Épesses, 142 water jets, hundreds of projectors, autonomous luminous drones, 360° spatialized sound, and a colossal pyrotechnic display, La Cinéscénie continues to fascinate over 360,000 spectators each season. Since 1978, more than 14 million spectators have witnessed this epic fresco of seven centuries of Vendée history, carried by the romantic saga of the Maupillier family.
Programme La Cinéscénie 2026
2026 Calendar of 28 Performances
Performances take place exclusively on Friday and Saturday evenings. Show at 10:30 PM in June-July, at 10:00 PM in August-September.
June 2026 (6 dates)
- Saturday, June 6 — 10:30 PM (first performance of the season)
- Saturday, June 13 — 10:30 PM
- Friday, June 19 — 10:30 PM
- Saturday, June 20 — 10:30 PM
- Friday, June 26 — 10:30 PM
- Saturday, June 27 — 10:30 PM
July 2026 (9 dates)
- Friday, July 3 — 10:30 PM
- Saturday, July 4 — 10:30 PM
- Friday, July 10 — 10:30 PM
- Saturday, July 11 — 10:30 PM
- Friday, July 17 — 10:30 PM
- Saturday, July 18 — 10:30 PM
- Friday, July 24 — 10:30 PM
- Saturday, July 25 — 10:30 PM
- Friday, July 31 — 10:30 PM
August 2026 (9 dates)
- Saturday, August 1 — 10:00 PM
- Friday, August 7 — 10:00 PM
- Saturday, August 8 — 10:00 PM
- Friday, August 14 — 10:00 PM
- Saturday, August 15 — 10:00 PM
- Friday, August 21 — 10:00 PM
- Saturday, August 22 — 10:00 PM
- Friday, August 28 — 10:00 PM
- Saturday, August 29 — 10:00 PM
September 2026 (4 dates)
- Friday, September 4 — 10:00 PM
- Saturday, September 5 — 10:00 PM
- Friday, September 11 — 10:00 PM
- Saturday, September 12 — 10:00 PM (last performance of the season)
Source: official Puy du Fou calendar (puydufou.com), consulted on May 24, 2026.
Highlights La Cinéscénie 2026
- 28 performances scheduled from June 6 to September 12, 2026 (Friday and Saturday evenings)
- 2,550 volunteer actors, the Puyfolais, on a 23-hectare stage
- 28,000 costumes, 3D video mapping, luminous drones, and 360° spatialized sound
- 1h30 show tracing seven centuries of Vendée history
- Ticket sales open since October 7, 2025 — essential reservation, performances often sold out
Prices La Cinéscénie 2026
Practical information — La Cinéscénie
Practical Information
Access
Address: Puy du Fou, CS 70025, 85590 Les Épesses, Vendée.
By car: A87 motorway, exit "Puy du Fou". From Nantes (1h15), La Roche-sur-Yon (50 min), or Cholet (30 min). Free parking near the stands.
By bus: Shuttles from Les Herbiers and Cholet on Cinéscénie evenings.
Timings
The show begins at 10:30 PM in June-July and at 10:00 PM in August-September. Duration: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Gates open 1 hour 30 minutes before the show starts.
Ticketing and prices 2026
Bronze Seating: €33 — Silver Seating: €45 — Gold Seating: €57.
Free for children under 3 years old (sitting on an adult's lap).
Booking strongly recommended: performances sell out. Ticketing opens in October on the official website.
Tips
Bring warm clothing (it gets cool quickly in the evening), a cushion for the stands, and arrive early to enjoy the on-site catering before the show.
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Where does it take place — La Cinéscénie
Tribunes de la Cinéscénie — Puy du Fou
CS 70025, 85590 Les Épesses