French Theme Park Firm’s UK expansion Draws scrutiny Over Far-Right Connections
OXFORDSHIRE,UK – A planned theme park in Oxfordshire by French firm Puy du Fou has sparked controversy due to the political views and past associations of its founding family,despite receiving support from the UK government. The company formally submitted a planning application to local authorities in August, aiming to replicate the success of its flagship park in western France – a venture conceived in the 1970s after the discovery of a ruined Renaissance castle. Puy du Fou also operates a park in Toledo, spain.
While the project has garnered support from a UK-based fan group, ”We Want Puy du Fou UK,” concerns are mounting amongst local residents regarding the potential impact on the area and the background of the de Villiers family.
Philippe de Villiers, the founder of Puy du Fou, is a prominent right-wing politician in France. He previously led a political party advocating policies including a ban on new mosque construction and prohibitions on both gay marriage and same-sex adoption. De Villiers continues to host a weekly political television show where he frequently criticizes immigration and Islam. He attended the funeral of Jean-Marie Le Pen, founder of the national Rally (formerly the far-right Front National), in January.
The funeral was also attended by Éric Zemmour, a longtime associate of de Villiers and a far-right presidential candidate who was convicted of hate speech in 2022 for disparaging remarks about unaccompanied immigrant children, whom he labelled as thieves, rapists, and murderers. Shortly after Zemmour’s comments, de Villiers stated, “what he defends is what I live for.”
While Philippe de Villiers is no longer involved in the management of the Puy du Fou company, his son, Nicolas de Villiers, currently runs the business. In 2014, Nicolas de Villiers visited Moscow to discuss plans for two theme parks under the “Tsargrad” brand, including one in Crimea, following Russia’s invasion. Puy du Fou’s proposed local investment partner was Konstantin Malofeyev, a billionaire oligarch already subject to sanctions by the US, UK, and EU for financing pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine.
In a 2015 interview with Attractions Management, Nicolas de Villiers described Vladimir putin as having “sweet eyes and sweet words” and suggested the Russian president had been misunderstood internationally. He also characterized Malofeyev as a man of “great moral power” and claimed sanctions would not impede the Crimean park project.
Puy du Fou has dismissed the concerns as ”conspiracy theories” propagated by local opponents, asserting that the company “ceased all contact with Russian authorities and their representatives in 2014.” the company maintains that the UK government is rightly encouraging foreign investment to stimulate growth and create employment.
Puy du Fou stated it has met with members of “We Want Puy du Fou UK” and hosted them at its French park, but that opponents of the Oxfordshire project declined a similar invitation.
