A French company, Puy du Fou, is seeking to establish a £600 million historical theme park in rural Oxfordshire, UK. The proposal has garnered assistance from government officials, particularly from the previous Conservative administration, despite concerns regarding the founding family’s associations with far-right politics and past comments supporting Vladimir Putin.
Documents obtained through freedom of information laws reveal that Dominic Johnson, a trade minister in Rishi Sunak’s government, expressed commitment to help Puy du Fou identify potential sites for the park. Additional government officials indicated their willingness to provide further support, with the company noting that it has received considerable backing from the government.
The project, aimed at developing mock medieval castles, hotels, and restaurants on farmland near the M40, has sparked controversy among local residents. Concerns have been raised regarding increased traffic, water supply demands, and potential environmental impacts. Some residents have also voiced apprehensions about the De Villiers family, particularly Philippe de Villiers, whose far-right views have attracted criticism.
Puy du Fou asserted that objections are based on unfounded fears and claimed to have successfully navigated a government due diligence process. Further correspondence indicates that Johnson met with the company’s representatives in December 2022 to discuss site selection and sought updates on progress.
In response to inquiries about the De Villiers family’s political connections, Labour MP Chris Bryant raised potential issues during a recent meeting with Puy du Fou, while government spokespeople mentioned ongoing support for the project, emphasizing its significance for local employment and economic growth.
The founders have a history of controversial political stances, with Philippe de Villiers associated with anti-immigrant sentiments and his son Nicolas previously expressing leniency towards Putin during the Crimea conflict. Puy du Fou has, however, stated that they no longer have ties to Russia, asserting that it aims to contribute positively to the UK economy. The planning application for the Oxfordshire site was officially submitted in August.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/oct/19/french-theme-park-company-puy-du-fou-won-uk-government-support-despite-ties-to-the-far-right