Bals Barges

The Bals Barges: dancing on the banks of the Ourcq in Aulnay-sous-Bois

Every summer, the Ourcq canal transforms into a giant open-air dance floor. The Bals Barges, an integral part of the Summer of the Canal program coordinated by the department of Seine-Saint-Denis, offer free popular balls on the banks of the canal in Aulnay-sous-Bois. This friendly and festive summer event is part of the long tradition of open-air guinguettes and balls that once made the banks of the Marne and Ourcq famous.

The Summer of the Canal: 18 years of festivities on the Ourcq

The Summer of the Canal is a cultural and festive program that has enlivened the banks of the Ourcq canal for nearly two decades, from La Villette to Bondy, passing through Pantin, Bobigny, Aulnay-sous-Bois, and many other towns in the 93. Supported by the Departmental Committee for Tourism of Seine-Saint-Denis, it offers concerts, exhibitions, water activities, flea markets, and of course balls every summer, helping to make the Ourcq canal a vibrant and popular cultural axis.

Dancing all styles, to all music

The musical programming of the Bals Barges in Aulnay-sous-Bois is deliberately eclectic and festive: waltz-musette, rock'n'roll, tango, salsa, country, hip-hop, and African dances follow one another throughout the afternoons and evenings. Orchestras and local bands as well as DJs provide the entertainment, with demonstrators and dance teachers inviting beginners and experienced dancers alike to join the dance floor.

A program for everyone, every week

In Aulnay-sous-Bois, the Bals Barges take place over several weekends in July with varied hours to reach all audiences. On Thursdays, senior balls are organized from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. with the orchestra Bal de Pam, in a retro and nostalgic atmosphere appreciated by post-war generations. On Saturdays and Sundays, the party extends from 2 p.m. until nightfall with concert-balls featuring eclectic repertoires and lively DJ sets.

The banks of the Ourcq in Aulnay: a living space in Seine-Saint-Denis

The banks of the Ourcq canal in Aulnay-sous-Bois are a precious natural and recreational space for the inhabitants of the northeast of the department. Developed for walking, cycling, and leisure, they host a large population every summer who come to enjoy the coolness of the canal and the cultural entertainment around it. The Bals Barges help to make this place a space for social connection and shared joy, accessible to all and free of charge.