Puy du Fou, a French entertainment company known for historical theme parks, is poised to receive planning approval for a £600m development in rural Oxfordshire featuring re-enactments, mock medieval castles, and themed accommodations depicting British history. However, newly obtained documents raise questions about the company’s account of its past business dealings and relationships with authoritarian figures.
In 2014, following Russia’s annexation of Crimea, Puy du Fou leadership traveled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed partnerships with Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian businessman subsequently sanctioned by the European Union for his alleged role in supporting the Crimean operation. The company stated it began winding down operations following Malofeyev’s EU sanctions designation in July 2014. Documents reviewed by investigators, however, indicate ongoing financial transactions and communications with associates of Malofeyev continued into August 2015, more than a year after the stated wind-down began. Internal correspondence from that period references budget allocations for casting, staff payments, and other project activities, as well as discussions about restructuring arrangements potentially designed to circumvent sanctions restrictions.
The company declined to confirm whether it obtained licensing from authorities to conduct a wind-down period, which sanctions experts note is typically required for transactions with sanctioned individuals following designation. Puy du Fou stated its activities complied with French and EU law and characterized payments as low-level supplier and consultancy fees associated with exploring the project.
Beyond Russia, documents suggest Puy du Fou pursued ventures in other countries with non-democratic governance systems. The company opened a temporary exhibition in Shanghai in 2024 and previously expressed interest in an Iranian project in 2016. Internal communications regarding the Chinese venture noted government control over scripts, though company leadership stated this reflected standard regulatory approval processes rather than content control.
The Oxfordshire park development has received backing from Visit Britain and the UK government, with opening scheduled for 2029. The company’s founder and owner, Philippe de Villiers, remains a director despite no longer managing day-to-day operations.
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