How to get to Puy du Fou from Nantes Airport?
Published on 24 mars 2022
Key takeaways
Puy du Fou is located around 1h to 1h30 by road from Nantes Atlantique Airport. There is no direct connection between the airport and the park: one or more transfers are required by public transport. Discover in this article the different ways to get there.
Table of Contents
1. What is the distance between Nantes Airport and Puy du Fou?
The history of Puy du Fou
Puy du Fou is certainly the most famous theme park in France along with Disneyland Paris. Created in 1989 in the Vendée department, more precisely in the commune of Les Epesses, it stages villages and shows retracing the history of the region and, more broadly, the history of France.
You can see very impressive historical re-enactments taking place in periods as varied as the Roman Empire, the Vikings or even the Hundred Years’ War. It has received dozens of awards around the world for the quality of its shows and staging, and has been voted several times as the favourite park of the French. Each year, between one and two million people visit one or the other part of the park, that is to say the Grand Parc or the Cinéscénie (night show).
Getting to Puy du Fou
Puy du Fou is located between Cholet and La Roche-sur-Yon, close to Nantes. Around 60 km as the crow flies from Nantes-Atlantique Airport, it takes just over one hour by road to reach the park. From the airport, several options are available to you to make this journey easily.
2. Take the bus, train then a shuttle to Puy du Fou
Taking the train or shuttle between Nantes Airport and Puy du Fou is an interesting solution financially. It is indeed possible to make this journey for around fifty euros per person. But as soon as you are a large family, this choice becomes much less attractive from an economic point of view.
Step 1: the bus
From Nantes-Atlantique Airport, there is a shuttle that will take you to Nantes city centre. The airport bus is provided to travellers by the Transport de l’Agglomération Nantaise (TAN) and will drop you at Gare Sud in around twenty minutes. The price of the bus is 9 €, and the ticket then allows you to use all TAN transport (tramway, bus…) for one hour.
Step 2: the train
After reaching Nantes station, you will need to take a train towards Angers. There are many trains throughout the day, between two and three per hour. You will have the choice between a Regional Express Train (TER) or a TGV. The Nantes–Angers journey usually takes between 35 and 45 minutes.
Step 3: the shuttle
Once you arrive at Angers Saint-Laud TGV station, you will need to make another transfer and take a special shuttle to Puy du Fou. This shuttle must be booked before your arrival. It takes 1h30 to reach the park, and its price is 14,30 € for a one-way ticket, 29 € for a return.
Advantages and disadvantages
Taking the train or shuttle between Nantes Airport and Puy du Fou is an interesting solution financially. It is indeed possible to make this journey for around fifty euros per person. But as soon as you are a large family, this choice becomes much less attractive from an economic point of view.
Moreover, with two mandatory transfers at Nantes-Atlantique station and Angers Saint-Laud station, this option is the one that will take you the most time. From the airport, you should allow nearly three hours to reach the park, not including waiting time at each connection.
3. Take the bus then a taxi to Puy du Fou
Step 1: the bus
If you do not want to waste time, it is therefore wise to consider taking another means of transport. At Nantes Airport, you are not obliged to take the shuttle to go to the city centre. You can also choose to take a bus. Among the regular TAN lines, line 38 allows you to reach the city of Nantes, as does line 98 which connects with tram line 3 at the Neustrie station.
Recently, a shuttle connects the 400 metres between the Neustrie station and the airport. This solution is therefore interesting in many respects. If you wish to reach Nantes station from the airport, the combination of bus and tramway will take more time than the shuttle, but its price will be lower
Step 2: taxi or VTC
However, once you arrive at Nantes station, the only alternative to the train towards Angers and the special Puy du Fou shuttle is a taxi or VTC. It will take you around one hour from Nantes city centre, knowing that it is difficult to find a taxi that will take you directly from the airport to the park. The price of the journey from Nantes city centre to the Grand Parc in Les Epesses is generally around 100 €.
Advantages and disadvantages
The taxi makes it easy to complete the journey between Nantes city centre and the park. If you are alone, the price can be considered prohibitive. However, if you are two or more, the taxi fare will not change. This option therefore immediately becomes more attractive.
4. Rent a car at Nantes Airport
For those who want to save even more time while saving money, there is a final solution. You can choose to rent a car from a company at Nantes-Atlantique Airport.
Journey time and recommended route
By renting a vehicle from an agency such as SIXT, Europcar or Hertz, you will be able to leave directly from the airport to reach the park without stopover or transfer, for an estimated duration between one hour and one hour and a half. Renting a car will also allow you to be in control of your schedule, since you can leave whenever you wish.
Advantages of renting to visit Puy du Fou
As for the price, renting a car is undoubtedly the most advantageous mode of transport if you are travelling with family or in a group of more than two people. You should expect to pay a few dozen euros per day for an entry-level vehicle. It is the price of freedom. Depending on the length of your stay and the number of kilometres travelled, this can quickly become very attractive, especially if your sole objective is to visit the park.
5. Solution to get to Puy du Fou with peace of mind!
Organising your journey between Nantes Airport and Puy du Fou can quickly become restrictive, especially if you are travelling with luggage or with family. Between public transport connections, waiting times or managing a car rental, the journey can quickly lose its simplicity.
To travel with peace of mind, one solution is to drive directly to the airport and opt for a valet service such as Blue Valet. The principle is simple: you drop off your vehicle at the drop-off point of Nantes Atlantique Airport, where a professional valet takes charge of it to park it in a secure car park.
On your return, your car is returned to you at the same place, without waiting or detour. You thus save valuable time and avoid the stress related to parking or transport before and after your stay at Puy du Fou.
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