New Member Spotlight | Puy du Fou Asia
With 45 years of operations experience and more than 20 international awards, Puy du Fou is an international, historical theme park well known for its immersive attractions and experiences in France, Spain, and soon, China.
Puy du Fou’s history began in 1977, when Philippe de Villiers created the original show, “Cinéscénie,” after discovering an old renaissance castle in Vendée, France. In 2019, the project expanded abroad with “El Sueño de Toledo,” a nighttime show about the history of Spain.
Starting in 2018, Puy du Fou began to successively establish Asian subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Hangzhou, and Shanghai. The development of Puy du Fou Asia continues to grow amid the ever-changing challenges and regulations of the COVID-19 pandemic, with its first attraction set to open this year.
“The millennial history of Asia’s prosperous kingdoms, empires, and dynasties is a great source of inspiration for the creation of Puy du Fou’s historical theme park and legendary shows,” says Anne Zhao, vice chair of Puy du Fou Asia. “The Asian team is planning to build up numerous projects, such as parks and urban concepts. The first one to open will be SAGA Shanghai, a Puy du Fou unique, immersive theater project that will open in 2022.”
SAGA Shanghai is being built in the former Shanghai Everbright Convention & Exhibition Center near Xujiahui in the Xuhui District, the heart of Shanghai. The project will cover more than 40,000 square meters with its show, themed restaurants, and bars; and host more than 3,000 visitors a day.
The storyline of the attraction will bring attendees back in time to Shanghai in the 1930s, where visitors will move through one of 26 possible routes, making their own choices to create their own unique adventures.
“With this new urban concept, Puy du Fou wants to target a young audience interested in new experiences, travel, adventure, and entertainment,” Zhao says. “SAGA Puy du Fou will break boundaries in redefining immersive cultural experiences. The show will combine technical and innovative effects with machinery, sound and light, a faithful and authentic Shanghai style, and social interaction between the performers and audience.”
The team at Puy du Fou Asia is dedicated to creating the right atmosphere, aiming to make an emotional impact on guests.
“As our elders Puy du Fou France and Spain, we hope that SAGA’s visitors will forget the 21st century and set off on a great journey through time, choosing their path in total freedom,” says Zhao. “SAGA Shanghai is the promise of experiencing unforgettable moments, full of emotions to share with friends and family, and being carried away by values and emotions that touch the hearts of visitors at all ages.”
Moreover, Puy du Fou Asia recently joined IAAPA to further Puy du Fou’s longstanding relationship with the association, one that “Puy du Fou Asia [wants] to strongly maintain and enhance in the future,” Zhao explains.
