Belledonne en Cirque
An open-air circus in the heart of the mountains
About Belledonne en Cirque
Since 2017, the Belledonne en Cirque festival has taken over the shores of Lake Freydières in Revel, in the heart of the Belledonne massif, to create an open-air circus in the middle of nature. For two days, this festive and popular event offers contemporary circus shows, a circus cabaret, concerts, circus arts initiation workshops for all ages, botanical walks, and moments of conviviality. Supported by committed volunteers, the festival is accessible to everyone with a free and conscious price entry.
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Belledonne en Cirque: Contemporary Circus in the Heart of the Mountains
Born in 2017 from the desire to make circus arts accessible to the greatest number, Belledonne en Cirque is a unique contemporary circus festival, nestled on the shores of Lake Freydières, at an altitude of 1,100 meters, in the town of Revel in the Belledonne massif. Created on the initiative of the Kafé Sauvage association, based at La Gélinotte, a restaurant-bar-guesthouse located by the lake, the festival transforms this space dedicated to hikers, skiers, and climbers into a true open-air artistic creation venue every summer.
A Singular Concept: Circus Beyond Walls
The founding idea of Belledonne en Cirque is to take circus out of its tents and indoor venues and place it in an exceptional natural setting. The shows take place amidst pine trees, by the water, on the trails — the mountain landscape itself becomes the stage. This approach is rooted in deep respect for the mountain environment and a desire to promote knowledge of the natural world through botanical walks and nature-related workshops.
Human-Scale Circus Forms
Since its inception, the festival has celebrated circus creation on a human scale: small forms, small companies, reasonable audience sizes. This artistic choice allows for a rare proximity between artists and spectators, in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The invited companies offer shows blending acrobatics, juggling, Chinese pole, tightrope walking, trapeze, clowning, and live music, exploring the boundaries between circus, theater, and performance.
A Rich and Eclectic Program
Each edition unfolds over two days with a dense and varied program:
- Contemporary Circus Shows: professional companies presenting original creations that blend physical prowess, poetry, and humor
- Circus Cabaret: a festive highlight bringing together several acts and artists in a convivial format
- Concerts and Fanfares: live outdoor music, from funk to electro to quirky fanfares
- Circus Arts Initiation Workshops: unicycle, juggling, aerial arts, slackline, balance — open to all, children and adults alike
- Botanical Walks and Tree Storytelling: discovering the mountain environment through the senses and imagination
- Yoga, Drawing, and Watercolor Workshops: quiet moments to experience the mountains differently
- Light Crossing: illuminated highline demonstration over the lake at dusk
- Screenings and Exhibitions: documentary films about circus and mountain sports
A Committed and Accessible Festival
Belledonne en Cirque affirms strong values of sharing, exchange, and respect for the environment. Entry is by free and conscious price, ensuring that cost is never a barrier to discovering circus arts. The festival is entirely run by passionate volunteers and supported by the municipality of Revel, the department of Isère, the Grésivaudan community of municipalities, and numerous associative partners like Circus Rock and À la découverte du cirque. A bar and on-site catering, using local products, complete the convivial experience.
Over 1,500 Spectators Each Year
Since its creation, the festival has continued to grow, attracting over 1,500 spectators and enthusiasts of juggling, acrobatics, and live performance by Lake Freydières each year. Belledonne en Cirque has become a must-attend summer event in the Belledonne massif and a recognized player in mountain cultural dynamics in the Isère department.
Belledonne en Cirque — edition 2026
The 9th edition of the Belledonne en Cirque festival will take place on July 2nd and 3rd, 2026, at Lake Freydières in Revel. The festival will offer two days of contemporary circus shows, a circus cabaret, concerts, initiation workshops for all ages, and botanical walks, all in an exceptional natural setting at 1,100 meters altitude in the Belledonne massif.
9th Edition — July 2026
The Belledonne en Cirque festival returns for its 9th edition on July 2nd and 3rd, 2026, at Lake Freydières in Revel, in the heart of the Belledonne massif. True to its spirit of open-air circus, the festival will once again take over the lake shores for two days of shows, workshops, and encounters centered around contemporary circus arts.
The detailed program — invited companies, concerts, workshops — will be unveiled in spring 2026 on the festival's Facebook page. As every year, entry will be by free and conscious price, to ensure the festival's accessibility to all audiences.
The circus arts initiation workshops (unicycle, juggling, aerial arts, slackline, balance) will again be offered for all ages, accompanied by botanical walks, storytelling, yoga, and moments of conviviality by the lake. The on-site bar and catering, using local products, will accompany festival-goers throughout the weekend.
Prices Belledonne en Cirque 2026
Practical information — Belledonne en Cirque
Practical Information
Festival Location
The festival takes place at Lake Freydières, in the town of Revel (38420), in the heart of the Belledonne massif, at an altitude of approximately 1,100 meters. Lake Freydières is a preserved natural site, the starting point for many hikes in the massif.
By Car
From Grenoble, allow about 30 minutes via the D523 towards Uriage-les-Bains, then follow signs for Revel and Freydières. Parking is available near the lake. Parking is free but spaces are limited; carpooling is strongly encouraged.
- From Grenoble: approx. 25 km, 30 minutes via D523 and D280
- From Chambéry: approx. 75 km, 1h15 via A41 then D523
- From Lyon: approx. 160 km, 1h45 via A48 then D523
By Public Transport
Bus line 15 of the Grenoble metropolitan transport network serves Revel from Grenoble. The nearest stop is in the village of Revel; it is then about a 20-minute walk to Lake Freydières. Carpooling remains the most convenient way to access the festival site directly.
Prices
Entry to the festival is by free and conscious price. This principle allows everyone to contribute according to their means and ensures the festival's accessibility to the widest audience. There is no online ticketing: participation is on-site, directly on the day of the event.
Schedule
The festival generally takes place over two days, Saturday and Sunday in early July:
- Site Opening: 11:00 AM
- Circus Initiation Workshops: 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
- Circus Cabaret: 4:30 PM
- Company Shows: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
- Fanfares and Concerts: 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Light Crossing (Highline): 10:00 PM - 10:30 PM
The precise times are announced each year on the festival's Facebook page.
Food and Drink
A bar and a food area are set up on the site for the duration of the festival. Meals and snacks are prepared using local products. The restaurant-guesthouse La Gélinotte, located by Lake Freydières, is also open during the festival.
Practical Tips
- Bring warm clothing for the evening (1,100 m altitude, temperatures drop quickly)
- Bring a blanket or plaid to sit comfortably for the shows
- Wear shoes suitable for natural terrain (grass, trails)
- The site is in the middle of nature: please respect the environment and leave no trace
- Bring cash for the bar and free contributions
- In case of bad weather, some shows may be adapted or moved
Contact
For any questions, find the festival on its Facebook page: Belledonne en Cirque. The festival is organized by the association Belledonne en Cirque (formerly Kafé Sauvage), based in Revel (38420).
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Belledonne en Cirque at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Belledonne en Cirque
Lac de Freydières
Lac de Freydières, 38420 Revel