La Cinéscénie du Puy du Fou

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.