Circuses France

Once under the tent now planted near Porte Maillot, let yourself be rocked by the magic created by the founder of this family circus, Alexandre Romanès. Here you will attend an extraordinary show, which pays tribute to the founders of the fairground art, the Gypsies. It is also the last circus of its kind to be found in Europe. You will not see tigers in cages, nor clowns, but acrobats, dancers, a learned dog who is not that knowledgeable... A family and good-natured atmosphere, to such an extent that when one of the young artists from the community fails, the whole audience applauds to encourage him. The orchestra, composed of several guitars, violins and brass, takes up great gypsy themes in a good mood. At the end of the show, Alexandre Romanès delivers some gypsy wisdom. One of our favourite proverbs: "A man is much more ferocious than a tiger. A tiger, you give him fifteen kilos of meat and he's full, a man, you cover him with gold and he wants more! »

Acrobats, clowns, numbers with cats, elephants, tigers, horses… The circus founded by the late Arlette Gruss ensures in the great tradition! A cousin of Alexis Gruss, who led a circus of the same name, it carried out numerous acrobatics to the rope and the trapeze, but became known through a dompteuse number of panthers. She decided to create her own circus in 1985. Despite the difficult beginnings in Ireland, Cirque de France became a reference from 1988 with the panthers of Arlette Gruss, the husband of Arlette Gruss. Five years later, the eponymous circus appears on the small screen for the delight of both small and large. However, everyone can take advantage of his passages in Paris to discover this magical and traditional circus. Today, and despite the disappearance in January 2006 of Arlette Gruss, the circus, taken up by his son Gilbert Mummolo, is always dreaming and has the means of his ambitions: 26 tours, 350 performances per year, 120 employed.

Héritière of the National Circus School, founded by Annie Fratellinis, the Academy of the same name is an international centre of high-level training in circus arts and performances. Located in the district of La Plaine-Saint-Denis, in the business district, it covers 5 500 m ² entirely dedicated to the circus arts. The concert rooms, designed by architect Patrick Chine, are among the most exceptional in the Parisian region, including a large 1 600-seat tent, entirely wooden without any internal pole, and offering a privileged setting for all forms of show. The activity of the Fratellinis Academy offers a regular, demanding and popular programming, but also user-friendly, since "relaxation circus" is organized there, the dates of which are shown on the website. Finally, this place, which hosts artists in residence, also offers a School of Circus Arts for Children from age 5, as well as courses during school holidays. It's a very nice place to discover.

More than six million spectators have already applauded this blockbuster around the world. Cirque Phoenix returns to Paris for a 17 ^th season in colour. Under this top, there are still large troops coming from all continents, because we are defending the neo-classical circus in the gypsy, Mexican or Chinese way. Recently, it was Africa that was honored in the show "CirkAfrika". In 2016, Cirque Phoenix returned to the Havana Company with a fabulous show: " CirkaCuba ", which has no fewer than 50 artists from the crocodile country and a troupe of dancers, musicians and singers for a chain of twelve absolutely staggering numbers. Come and discover this latest show at the rhythm of Cuban percussions in one of the finest capitals in the world.

This beautiful polygon-shaped building has become very precious. Of the "hard" circuses built during the ^19th century, only this one remains, built in 1852 by architect Jacques Hittorff, and purchased in 1934 by the Bouglione brothers. Today, the circus reigns supreme, thanks to the expertise of the Bouglione family, who recruit exceptional artists from all over the world to enrich their shows. The circular stage of this magnificent "theater" is also used for concerts and television broadcasts.

Built at the end of the ^19th century, the magnificent cirque-théâtre d'Elbeuf is one of the last eight permanent circuses in France, and the only one with an Italian-style ring and stage. A venue for performances, training, creation, artistic discoveries and encounters, this vast complex is now home to the regional circus arts center. Its programming, which has succeeded in dusting off the circus arts, is based on innovation and multi-disciplinarity, and is aimed at all audiences, children and adults alike.

This place is simply magical and Jimmy is a clown! Not only, it is the toys and games for children, but this shop is also entire reserved for the supply of the circus. It abounds in an incalculable number of objects including the common denominator is idyllic: dream of, juggling stilts or balance. This is the place to go for or that practices one of the numerous disciplines of the capital. But also the games and toys to old and collection, the magic, games and casino...

Under the big top of the Michellety circus, young and old alike enjoy the magic of the circus. Here, the formula is original: instead of attending a show in the classic way, we offer to teach you. On the programme: make-up, initiation and training, convivial lunch in the company of professional artists under the big top-restaurant and performance in the afternoon until 3.30 pm. As for the one-day discovery courses, they consist of a playful approach to the various circus disciplines (acrobatics, juggling, clowning, etc.).

Équilibristes numbers, contortionists, clowns, tours with animals, public participation, the Christmas circus does not omit details to satisfy children. Upon arrival, the tone is given, since small and large are welcomed by the artists and Mr. Loyal in person. A clown even drew a red nose to children. In spite of its 900 places, the top at the starry arch allows a great closeness between acrobats and spectators who take full advantage of the mirettes. The Christmas Circus is open only over a very short period of time, so think ahead.

La Grainerie is the Toulouse factory dedicated to the circus arts and itinerancy. It offers multiple facets to permanent and guest artists thanks to its rehearsal studios, its creation rooms, its set-making workshop... Of course, people come here first and foremost for the many shows scheduled! The contemporary circus is in the spotlight, we keep our feet on the ground but our eyes are filled with enchantment. Note in your diaries that in October, the Européenne des cirques welcomes troupes from some twenty countries.

In autumn 2009, Adrienne Larue's big top moved to Ris-Orangis after several years on a plot of land on rue Binet in Paris's ^18th arrondissement, near Porte Montmartre. The lady trained with Pierre Etaix, Annie Fratellini and Jacques Lecoq, as well as performers and visual artists such as Daniel Buren and Robert Filliou. Suffice to say, her creations are quite unusual. As a result, his programming mixes circus, theater, concerts, exhibitions and introductory workshops in the circus arts.

Alexis Gruss practices circus the old-fashioned way, blending two traditions: the equestrian arts and the acrobatic arts. Alexis Gruss founded his company in 1974 in the courtyard of the Hôtel Salé. The adventure has never stopped since. The circus troupe is still largely made up of members of the Gruss family, related to the Bouglione family. With shows that change every year, Compagnie Gruss showcases the circus arts and subtle horse training.

The Zebra - a fresco representing this animal on the facade - is a beautiful-seat room that has specialized in circus shows. Several winning formulas have been found here to satisfy a local and Parisian audience. For example the smallest cabaret in Europe, a show dinner in which humour is good with trapeze numbers, juggling, magic or funambulisme. The children are well off. They also have the right to evening cabarets as well as to the afternoons entitled Les Z'Ateliers du cirque, during which they learn some basics of the profession. Otherwise the Zebra programme of concerts, especially songs. Former film named Berry, this place was almost demolished. People in the neighbourhood have worked to continue to animate this corner of Belleville. The writer Daniel Pennac made it the main site of his novel Mr Malaussène.

Cycle II courses are provided for the development and preparation of entrance competitions for major circus schools. You must be more than 12 years old and have already begun the circus arts.

Workshops for awareness and initiation in circus arts.

From 5 years old: ground acrobatics, trampoline, juggling, balance, trapeze, thread, clown, mime, and internships organized during the holidays.

" The circus is an art, it teaches itself in the respect of the person… ", likes to remember Michaël Guerin, the director. In a space of around 400 m ² where carpets, trapezoids, ariane thread or Chinese mast, the association Cirqu'onflexe offers courses and courses that allow to rub itself into acrobatics, juggling, balance, trapeze and actor play. The association distilling Cycle I teaching, i. e. awareness and initiation to the circus arts.

Easy to find, this spot is bristling with canvases reaching for the sky. It's the gathering place for circus tents: the space of the same name is located here. Over 4,200 square meters, and for almost 30 years, the best circus companies from France and abroad have come and gone: the place is a place of effervescent creation. La Villette also provides accommodation for artists and companies in residence: the Chapithôtel. In summer, the Espace Chapiteaux is transformed into a leisure area.

When summer comes, Alexis Gruss and his old-fashioned circus in the 13-hectare park of the castle of Piolenc. And as always, the magic happens. Each season, a new show with its marvelous horses, the acrobatics of the horsemen, the jugglers, the balancing acts. We would not miss the clown show for anything in the world. You must follow the botanical tour, the projection of old films. The ultimate privilege, it is also possible to visit the stables. And also the museum which contains some nuggets!