Fauconnerie du Puy du Fou, Falconry center in Puy du Fou, France

The Fauconnerie du Puy du Fou is a falconry center within the Puy du Fou theme park that regularly stages flight demonstrations with trained raptors. The shows feature different species including eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls performing in outdoor spaces.

The falconry grew out of the Puy du Fou park, opened in 1989 on the site of the ruined castle where La Cinéscénie has been staged since 16 June 1978. Its daily raptor show, Le Bal des Oiseaux Fantômes, opened to the public in 2003, written by Philippe de Villiers and directed by Nicolas de Villiers. In 2007 a bearded vulture was born here, a first for a French zoo.

The falconers display their expertise through carefully staged flight performances where birds soar directly above spectators. You can observe how handlers and raptors work together using skilled training and mutual understanding.

Access to the falconry demonstrations is included with your general admission ticket to the Puy du Fou theme park, with several daily performances. Check the schedule ahead of time so you can plan when to watch and make sure you catch the shows that interest you most.

In 2007 a bearded vulture was born here, the first such hatching in a French zoo. One bird from the falconry was later released to support the bearded vulture reintroduction programme in the Alps, and a monk vulture was released in the Vercors in 2011. The collection counted 78 species in 2021, some of them endangered.