French Theme Park Firm Received UK Government Support Despite Far-Right Links
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Controversial French Business Gains Backing for £600m Oxfordshire Project
A French company planning to build a £600 million historical theme park in Oxfordshire received support from the UK government, despite its founders’ ties to far-right politics and past remarks in favor of Vladimir Putin. Documents obtained through freedom of information requests reveal that the former Conservative-led government, under Rishi Sunak, offered assistance to Puy du Fou a popular French theme park operator as it sought to establish its first site in the UK.
Emails show that in December 2022, Dominic Johnson, then Minister for Business and Trade, met with representatives of Puy du Fou and promised to “assist” them in selecting a site. He also instructed the Office for Investment to support the company in the process. Later, another UK official confirmed that departmental staff based in France would provide ongoing assistance. The company later stated that the UK government had been “very supportive” of its plans.
Puy du Fou has since submitted a formal planning application to build its UK park near the M40 in Oxfordshire. The proposed attraction would include mock medieval castles, themed hotels, and restaurants. However, the project has sparked significant local opposition over concerns about traffic congestion, water supply pressure, and environmental damage. Some residents also raised alarms over the background of the De Villiers family, who founded and still run Puy du Fou.
Philippe de Villiers, the founder of Puy du Fou, is a well-known far-right figure in France. He established a political party that called for banning new mosques and prohibiting same-sex marriage and adoption. He also continues to host a television show in France where he frequently criticizes immigration and Islam. Earlier this year, he attended the funeral of Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of France’s far-right National Rally party, alongside other controversial figures such as Éric Zemmour who has been convicted of hate speech.
Although Philippe de Villiers no longer manages the company, his son, Nicolas de Villiers, has also been criticized for his political associations. In 2014, following Russia’s annexation of Crimea, Nicolas met with Russian officials, including sanctioned billionaire Konstantin Malofeyev, to discuss building Russian theme parks under the brand “Tsargrad.” During this time, he publicly defended Putin, describing him as having “sweet eyes and sweet words” and claiming that the world had misunderstood him.
These revelations have raised eyebrows in the UK, especially as Puy du Fou continues to receive governmental encouragement for its Oxfordshire project. After The Guardian reported on the De Villiers family’s far-right affiliations and ties to Russia, Labour MP Chris Bryant, then serving as a Minister in the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, met with the company to discuss concerns. Nevertheless, the correspondence shows that officials remained reassured by the company’s statement that it cut all Russian ties in 2014 and that it passed the UK’s due diligence process “with ease.”
The Department for Business and Trade later emphasized that Puy du Fou’s investment would bring jobs and economic growth to the region. “It represents a substantial investment in our visitor economy,” a spokesperson said, noting that the project could generate hundreds of local jobs and attract international tourism.
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While some in Britain have embraced the project even forming a support group called, We Want Puy du Fou UK local councils and residents remain divided. Cherwell District and Oxfordshire County Councils have been urged to carefully assess the environmental and social impacts before granting planning permission. Opponents accuse the company of dismissing legitimate environmental and political concerns as “conspiracy theories,” while supporters argue the park could boost tourism and economic activity in the area.
Puy du Fou’s history dates back to the 1970s, when Philippe de Villiers transformed a ruined Renaissance castle in western France into a historical reenactment park. It has since become one of France’s top tourist attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year. The company has since expanded internationally, with a successful park in Toledo, Spain, and ambitions for further global ventures.
The Oxfordshire proposal marks the company’s first UK expansion and one of the largest foreign leisure investments in the country in recent years. Despite its founder’s controversial past, Puy du Fou maintains that it is focused solely on cultural storytelling and entertainment, not politics. It argues that its projects celebrate history and heritage, not ideology.
However, the controversy surrounding its founders’ political beliefs continues to overshadow the project. As planning consultations progress, local communities, environmental groups and political observers will be watching closely to see whether the UK government’s support for the company remains unchanged in light of public scrutiny.
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