The brains behind French theme park Puy du Fou set its sites on land near the M40 in Oxfordshire last year, revealing ambitions to open its third site, alongside one in Spain, near the town of Bicester.
Hailed as the world’s greatest historical theme park by visitors, the French site scooped the title of World’s Best Park at the Thea Classic Awards in Los Angeles earlier this year. But despite its somewhat misleading name, it is more of a historical concept park than what we would traditionally recognise as a rollercoaster-packed amusement hub.
The Puy du Fou in western France, owned by the de Villiers family, offers 20 live shows and immersive experiences in jawdropping settings including a recreated Roman amphitheatre, a Viking ship and a 23-hectare stage in front of a Middle Age fortress.
It also attracts over two million visitors each year, making it one of the most popular theme parks in France – and the first British branch can be expected to echo its self-described “spectacular historic shows and immersive experiences”.
According to planning documents, the UK site would comprise a £600 million network of theatres, back-of-house facilities, hotels, restaurants, conference facilities and parking space on a stretch of land adjacent to the M40 in Oxfordshire.
Olivier Strebelle, chief executive of the French park, said the new British site would be unlike any other theme park in the country and create up to 700 new jobs in the area.
“We do not have any rides or rollercoasters; there are no neon flashing lights,” he said.
“Instead, we create an authentic, natural and historical environment set within beautiful gardens, which become the setting for world-class shows and immersive cultural and historical experiences for the whole family to enjoy.
“With Britain’s rich history, and with so many British people already visiting us in France and Spain, we have been looking for a site in the country for many years and we have now identified the perfect location.”
Subject to planning approval and conditions, the immersive site could be built in the English countryside by 2028.
Visitors to the French park have heralded it as “worth every penny” and “an absolutely amazing experience [that] exceeds all expectations” on TripAdvisor.
“So much to see and do in a beautiful park that doesn’t feel like a theme park,” one person wrote. “This hands down beats Disneyland Paris for us. Really unique and interesting.”
“This is a very special place,” another added. “The shows are incredible, of course, with amazing special effects, extraordinary performances and every conceivable performing animal!”
