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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Angelique Chrisafis in Les Epesses

No rides, but lots of rows: ‘reactionary’ French theme park plots expansion

Knights, horses and maidens in a medieval show at Puy Du Fou
A medieval show at Puy du Fou in July 2020. The re-enactments of conflicts in French history are counterpointed by contemporary disputes over the theme park’s conservative view of France. Photograph: Thomas Faull/Alamy

Outside a castle, stunt riders were hanging upside down from galloping horses, jousters were charging, Joan of Arc was dressed in armour and invoking her faith to fight the English, flames shot from windows, soldiers dangled from ropes and the audience cheered and booed.

“It’s about our history of France, but it’s also an entertaining fantasy,” said Eliane, a nurse from the south-west who was on her second annual coach trip to the French theme park Puy du Fou. “You don’t come here for pure history, it’s not a lesson, there’s something magic about it,” she said.

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