French Theme Park Puy du Fou Sparks Political Storm Over History
The popular French amusement park Puy du Fou faces intense criticism for allegedly promoting far-right propaganda and rewriting history, while millions of visitors continue to flock to its spectacular historical shows.
In the wheat fields of western France, about a four-hour drive southwest of Paris, lies an amusement park unlike any other. Viking ships and pianos emerge from water pools, and knights gallop on horses. This is the Puy du Fou park, which has become the most popular site in France after Disneyland. Now, as The New York Times reports, it finds itself at the center of a political and cultural storm.
A Vision of the Far-Right or Innocent Entertainment?
Many in France detest the park. Critics accuse it of spreading "far-right propaganda," an accusation that resonates strongly now as the country's conservative right approaches power. According to the report, critics claim the park uses history as a weapon to promote the values of its founder, Philippe de Villiers, a former lawmaker who supports far-right politicians and campaigns against the European Union, Muslims, and immigration.
De Villiers recently wrote that the park is part of a broader "cultural battle," stating, "Cultural victories precede political victories." In his 2025 book Populicide, he argued that immigration is causing the collapse of France. Conversely, his son Nicolas, who has managed the park since 2012, insists that his only ambition is "to create shows that make people love France."
The park spans approximately 1,000 dunams, resembling a nature park. Dirt paths lead to elaborate sets and shows on French history featuring stunning special effects. In a Roman show, chariots race around an obelisk that transforms into a giant ship, while in another show, over 300 birds of prey circle above the spectators.
The park, which began in 1978 as a voluntary show near a ruined castle, has grown into an empire. After visiting Disneyland in Florida in 1989, de Villiers decided to establish a professional business that would give the French their "founding narrative." Today, the park employs about 3,000 workers and operates five themed hotels and 26 restaurants. In 2025, it recorded revenues of about $350 million against a record three million visitors. It has even expanded to Spain and plans to open a branch in Britain.
Rewriting History and Glory Over Shame
With growing success, criticism from historians and left-wing politicians has intensified. In 2022, four historians published a book titled Puy of Lies, calling the park "ideological." Florian Besson, one of the authors, argued that "erasing the French Revolution and courting Christianity is the park's recipe."
The shows portray early French people as persecuted Christians while distorting historical facts, such as presenting Christianity as being attacked by pagan Romans or Vikings, an inversion of actual history. Furthermore, The New York Times notes that the park completely ignores dark chapters in France's past: slavery, colonialism, and the Vichy regime that collaborated with the Nazis. Nicolas de Villiers does not apologize for the omissions, explaining, "We always prefer glory to shame."
Left-wing politician François Ruffin explains that negative attention has risen alongside the strengthening of the National Rally party, whose leader Marine Le Pen threatens to win the presidency next year. Ruffin sees the park as part of a broader right-wing apparatus backed by French billionaire Vincent Bolloré, who owns a right-wing television channel where de Villiers also broadcasts. According to Ruffin, this apparatus is winning the current "culture war."
Despite everything, families continue to visit the park. Some agree with the message, but most come for the entertainment and escapism. As a visiting teacher summarized to The New York Times: "When I come here, I disconnect the park from the man who created it." Her daughter, though admitting it is hard to ignore the blatant biases, has returned with her to the park no fewer than four times.
