What to do around Puy du Fou?

If there is one park not to be missed, it is the Puy du Fou in Vendée, a gathering of unmissable shows between gladiator fights, equestrian flights and historical reenactments. Visited by millions of enchanted spectators each year, Puy du Fou is also an opportunity to explore the Vendée . Take advantage of the attractions, we've put together a list of things to do around Puy du Fou.

Opening photo: altitudedrone AdobeStock

Photos of the article: Guide to the Vendée

The Top things to do and see around Puy-du-Fou

• Visit the village of Les Epesses
• Discover the Herbaria
• Visit Chanverrie
• Discover Pouzauges and its castle
• Explore the Chevérière garden
• Have fun at the Château de Tiffauges
• Visit the City of Birds
• Climb to the top of the bell tower of Saint-Michel-Mont-de-Mercure
• Visit Sigournais and its castle

Visit the village of Les Epesses

Home to the fabulous Puy du Fou amusement park, Les Epesses is also the ideal place to stay if you want to stay close to the shows. Although it is not a dormitory village for spectators, Epesses is also a pretty town in the Vendée countryside which tells quite a story. Some historic buildings are worth discovering, such as the 15th century Notre-Dame Church with its Plantagenêt style vaults, or the Saint Jean Chapel, a building classified by the Beaux-Arts. The current Renaissance castle, founded in the 15th century, is the replacement for the old brick and granite castle, the remains of which today serve as a setting for the events at Puy du Fou. It was Phillipe de Villiers who, in 1977, fell in love with the landscape and wrote the greatest night show in the world, the cinescénie.

Visit the Epesses

Discover the Herbaria

A few minutes from Les Epesses is Les Herbiers, a town with many surprises which takes you to visit the bocage aboard an authentic steam train between June and September. Steeped in history, the Abbay de la Graineterie still houses monks who are delighted to tell you about the past of this historic building. Visit Ardeley Castle built in the 15th century, a beautiful representation of medieval times where a drawbridge leads to a square tower. To end the day, take a stroll in Landreau Park, a 30-hectare site ideal for relaxing, picnicking and having fun with 4 orienteering courses.

Visit the town of Herbiers

Visit Chanverrie

The town is located north of Puy du Fou and offers a much-appreciated escape after all the excitement of the shows. In the Vendéen countryside, Chanverrie highlights the region every Wednesday afternoon on its market. Fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses and fish, there is plenty to wander around between the different producers. Continue the visit with a hike on one of the 4 circuits offered, you will be charmed by the bucolic and natural setting around Chanverrie. Note that this city is labeled “ star towns & villages ” for its quality of nocturnal environment.

Discover Pouzauges and its castle

What a lovely town this small town of character has retained all its charm from medieval times. Located high up at 3,000 meters above sea level on the Vendée hills, it develops around the Château de la Flocellière. Still inhabited, the latter is accessible for visits to discover the medieval ruins and explore the magnificent 15-hectare park. Woods, meadows, ponds and streams make the site an exceptional setting where you can stay. Indeed, lodges and guest rooms are available for rental for nature lovers. For the record, Pouzauges is also the town of Fleury Michon.

Visit Pouzauges

Explore the Chevérière garden

We stay around Puy du Fou to discover an incredible natural space, the Chevérière garden. Imagined and created in 2001 by Robert, a retired farmer, it is an unsuspected gold mine where wild plants, aromatic plants, edible plants and medicinal plants grow in complete freedom. Fed only with compost, they are neighbors of a magnificent orchard where apples, pears, plums, nashis, raspberries and other small fruits grow in complete tranquility before being transformed. Stroll through the fragrant aisles before tasting the homemade jams, syrups and drinks. Every first weekend in June, don't miss the appointments at the Chevérière garden with a craft market, a great idea for an outing as summer approaches.

Have fun at the Château de Tiffauges

Tiffauges Castle, formerly the largest medieval fortress in the West, is today a leisure site that combines history and entertainment. Through a multitude of activities and shows, take a step back in time to the era of the knights. Relive the history of the castle, discover the art of war and watch an immersive 3D film about the remains of the castle. Don't miss "In Time of Siege", a daily show where real war machine shots are launched, between equestrian stunts and knightly fights. The conservatory of medieval war machines, unique in Europe, is worth the detour after strong emotions with the family.

Visit the City of Birds

About twenty minutes from Puy du Fou, in Landes-Génusson, a magnificent natural and sensitive space welcomes you all year round to be privileged observers of more than 2,000 birds. Between the trails, the specialized platforms and the belvederes, you will have plenty of time to see the passerines, birds of prey and waterbirds that move freely without being seen. Ideal for birds, the City of Birds is one of the largest north/south migratory routes. A visit to this ornithological reserve is essential and ends with the discovery center where numerous dynamic exhibitions explain the life of the feathered bipeds in this haven of peace.

Climb to the top of the bell tower of Saint-Michel-Mont-de-Mercure

The inhabitants of this village are very proud to have the highest church in the Vendée countryside, built at an altitude of 290 meters with its bell tower. From this highest point you can admire the magnificent view and the typical landscape of the region which extend as far as the eye can see. But before getting there, you have to climb the 199 steps to reach a height of 42 meters, ideal for pretty perspective photos. Catch your breath once back down by taking a closer look at the golden statue inside the church, a replica of the archangel slaying the dragon. Wander the streets of the city to meet producers and traders who are delighted every year to see 1,500 tourists attracted by the bell tower.

The church of Saint-Michel-Mont-de-Mercure

Visit Sigournais and its castle

The pretty town of Sigournais is located 30 minutes from Puy du Fou, a not too far away getaway to enjoy the surroundings. Authentic and preserved, it has a church on its central square, 3 wash houses and pleasant gardens to explore. But the main attraction of Sigournais remains its feudal castle, rebuilt in the 15th century and open between July and September. Its military architecture typical of the Middle Ages dazzles privileged visitors who can observe the polygonal enclosure, the towers and the covered walkways. Shows, competitions, workshops for children and animated visits punctuate the summer at the Château de Sigournais.

Plan a few days to enjoy the surroundings of Puy du Fou but above all, enjoy every moment in this amazing park for young and old. Don't forget to reserve your tickets for the cinéscénie, a show from another time that will dazzle you all night long. See you soon for new adventures in Vendée.

Did you like our article? Find others on our Vendée Guide Blog. Follow us on the Guide Vendée Facebook page and on Instagram @guidedelavendee