The previous UK government offered support to a French company planning a £600 million historical theme park in Oxfordshire, despite its founding family's ties to the far-right and past praise of Vladimir Putin, emails obtained under freedom of information laws have shown.
Conservative peer Dominic Johnson, then a business and trade minister, promised to 'assist' Puy du Fou in site selection during a meeting in December 2022. A subsequent letter from an unnamed official stated that departmental staff in France were available to provide further help. The company later described the government as 'very supportive' of its plans to build mock medieval castles, hotels and restaurants near the M40.
The project has drawn local opposition over traffic, water use and environmental impact, as well as concerns about the De Villiers family behind the business. Founder Philippe de Villiers, a right-wing politician, has been criticised for far-right views, while his son Nicolas, who runs the company, appeared to praise Putin after the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
In February, after the Guardian reported on the family's links, Labour MP Chris Bryant raised concerns with the company. A readout from the meeting showed Puy du Fou considered the government 'very supportive' and asked for this to be relayed to local authorities. The Department for Business and Trade declined to comment on whether ministers had contacted councils but said officials were 'reassured' the company no longer had ties to Russia, and signalled continued support for the project as a job-creating investment.
Puy du Fou, which operates parks in France and Spain, submitted a formal planning application in August. The company said objections were based on 'conspiracy theory mischief making' and that it had passed government due diligence 'with ease'. Supporters have formed a group called We Want Puy du Fou UK, but some local residents remain opposed to both the park and the family behind it.
