02 Mar 2017
Puy du Fou planning to open three new sites worldwide by 2027
BY Tom Anstey
Following on from the successful launch of its UK attraction last year, French historical theme park operator Puy du Fou is aiming to develop further overseas projects, with plans for three further international sites by 2027.
Puy du Fou, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2017, welcomed more than 2.2 million visitors to the attraction last year – an 8 per cent rise on previous figures – with numbers increasing 30 per cent over the last three years. In 2016, turnover exceeded €100m (US$105m, £85.7m).
Building on this success, Nicolas de Villiers, president of Puy du Fou, announced plans to accelerate the company’s growth outside of France, with three new openings by 2027.
The first will be in Toledo, Spain, with an investment of €140m (US$147.7m, £120m) to create a park dedicated to the history of the country. Financed on a franchise model, discussions are ongoing with local authorities and the project expects to break ground in 2019.
Discussions are also underway for a similar park in China, with the aim of opening a Puy du Fou park in the country by 2025. The project has been estimated to cost around €300m (US$316.6m, £257m) and is also supported via a franchise model and private partners.
A third park, with a yet-to-be determined location could open in either China or Europe by 2027.
Last year, Puy du Fou launched Kynren, its UK version of the show, which ran through the summer and returns this year for a second season. In 2011 Puy du Fou also debuted Raveleijn – a €30m (US$31.6m, £25.7m) show created for Efteling in the Netherlands. Nicolas de Villiers and President Vladimir Putin signed agreements in 2014 for two Russian parks, but those plans are “at a standstill”.
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