Belledonne en Cirque

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.