Ever wanted to watch a gaulish village being attacked by vikings, raptors wheeling high in the sky, the three musketeers flashing swords against mounted enemies or see gladiators fight to the death? How about the English attacking a mediaeval keep where a beautiful damsel waits or knights jousting just like during the 100-years war? At the Puy du Fou in the Vendée you will find all of these come alive with some fantastic displays of equestrianship mixed with beautiful costumes and realistic recreations of history. To top it off for adults and older kids is a fabulous evening show – the Cinéscénie – the story of a fictional family in the Vendée caught in the crosshairs of the history of both the region and of France. The Grand Parc and the Cinéscenie are 3 hours from Paris but relatively close to the popular summer resorts of Les Sables d’Olonne and La Rochelle. In any case, if you’re remotely interested in history, it’s worth the trip. From one year old to 35 all were captivated.

It’s a good idea to book in advance for the English-language headset to listen to the dialogue of some of the shows and the Cinéscenie in English. Have a hat, water and sunscreen as it can get very hot, although there are sprinklers at strategic locations. Meanwhile at night, it gets quite cold for the Cinéscénie, especially if you are up high in the stadium.

Keith Rogers – My Family Break