Entertainment or Education?

Le Puy du Fou - Le Grand Parc
8 August

Disneyland it is not, but theme park of a sort, yes. No rides but plenty of ‘spectacles’, performances of various sorts. Even our meal was part of a performance. People book a year in advance to come here to see the evening show (Cinéscénie) with more than 1000 people playing out historical scenes, but these performances are only twice a week (in June, July, August) and we just went for the day. A long day, as it was open until late that day. And if you have a campervan, this seems to be the place to come. Lines and lines of campervans greeted us when we arrived and scarcely any fewer when we tottered off home, probably after 9pm.

Le Grand Parc recreates historical scenes for us, both in the setting and the shows. Every year it grows bigger, as a new setting and new shows are created during the winter for the following summer season. Last winter they built a new hotel in the form of a Roman villa, with ‘themed’ bedrooms. Access straight into the park from there.

One of the shows that impressed Chris and me the most were the birds of prey, falcons, eagles and others, who swooped just above our heads, there and back, there and back, fetching some kind of offering from a gloved hand as a story or legend was recounted to us.

Our lunchtime meal was also pretty special. Here we were guests of François 1er and Henry VIII, part of a crowd of both ‘English’ (red head bands or crowns) and ‘French’ (blue). Took only a few minutes for the French to have identified themselves as English and to be barracking for their side! All sorts of interesting contests for us to watch and interact with as we ate. And the meal was exceedingly good, and in tune with the times, considering the crowds they are catering for.

We made our way around the various areas. The forest, complete with a Memory Walk about the Vendée massacres, (which are treated less vividly in the Cholet museum). The fort from the year 1000, the Medieval village, the town, the old castle, the 18^th century village, swordfights and musketeers from the time of Richelieu, with amazing horses, which seemed unbothered by rain or noise, dancing away to the music or racing around the (pretty large) stage. And, of course, gladiators. And Christians. And geese. Throw in some lions, cheetahs, chariot races and a Roman Arena and you have quite a spectacle, in the English sense.

This park can only get better. It is added to every year and has 23 schools attached which train up the people they need to run all aspects. So educational in most senses of the word and great, often interactive, entertainment.

Photos at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/101628277989220379025/LePuyDuFou