Belledonne en Cirque
An open-air circus in the heart of the mountains
About 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.
Belledonne en Cirque — edition 2026
9th Edition — June 2026
The Belledonne en Cirque festival returns for its 9th edition on June 26 and 27, 2026 (Friday and Saturday) at Lake Freydières in Revel, in the heart of the Belledonne massif. True to its open-air circus spirit, the festival will once again take over the shores of the lake for two days of shows, workshops, and encounters centered around contemporary circus arts.
The detailed program — invited companies, concerts, workshops — will be unveiled soon on the festival's Facebook page. As every year, admission will be on a free and conscious pricing basis, to ensure the festival's accessibility to all audiences.
Introductory circus arts workshops (unicycling, juggling, aerials, slackline, balance) will again be offered for all ages, accompanied by botanical walks, storytelling, yoga, and convivial moments by the lake. The on-site refreshment stand and catering, based on local products, will accompany festival-goers throughout the weekend.
Programme Belledonne en Cirque 2026
Friday, June 26, 2026
- 7 PM — Cie La Détonnante, « Maison » (clown) — performance stage, from 6 years old, 1h. A clownish epic of conquering daily life.
- 9 PM — ATR, folk dance concert — all ages, 2h. Free dance in regional languages (Occitan, Arpitan, Catalan).
Entry at free and conscious price. Refreshments and food in the evening.
Saturday, June 27, 2026
- 10 AM-5 PM — Initiations and activities around the lake (all ages): slackline, circus, unicycle, cyanotype, face painting; botanical and ornithological walks, stories in the trees.
- 10 AM — Cie Gratte Nez Mange Doigt, « L'histoire est dans l'sac » (danced tales) — from 5 years old, 1h. Percussion, guitar, accordion, and dance to revisited traditional tales.
- 11 AM-12 PM — Discovery workshop of major instrument families, body practice with live music and percussion (Cie Gratte Nez Mange Doigt).
- 5 PM — Circus cabaret, local open stage — all ages, 1h30. Amateur and professional acts from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
- 7 PM — Spécial Ka (brass band) — wandering performance, 1h. Jazzy pop, soul, afro, latino.
- 8 PM — Cie Oh et puis M, « Hisse et Hop ! » (participatory clown) — all ages, 1h. Poetic universe around recycling.
- 9:30 PM — G-Lab (fusion soul/rock/funk/hip-hop/jazz) — 1h30.
- 11:30 PM — Non Binary Beats (DJ set, reggaeton tekno / queer techno) — 1h30.
Entry at free and conscious price. Refreshments and food for lunch and dinner.
Prices Belledonne en Cirque 2026
Practical information — Belledonne en Cirque
Practical Information
Festival Location
The festival takes place at Lac de Freydières, in the commune of Revel (38420), in the heart of the Belledonne massif, at an altitude of approximately 1,100 meters. Lac de Freydières is a preserved natural site, a starting point for many hikes in the massif.
Access by Car
From Grenoble, allow approximately 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 highly encouraged.
- From Grenoble: approximately 25 km, 30 minutes via D523 and D280
- From Chambéry: approximately 75 km, 1h15 via A41 then D523
- From Lyon: approximately 160 km, 1h45 via A48 then D523
Access 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 then takes approximately 20 minutes to walk to Lac de Freydières. Carpooling remains the most practical way to access the festival site directly.
Prices
Entry to the festival is on a free and conscious price basis. 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 done on site, directly on the day of the event.
Schedule
The festival generally takes place over two days, Friday and Saturday in late June:
- 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
- Brass bands and concerts: 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Light crossing (highline): 10:00 PM - 10:30 PM
The precise schedule is communicated annually on the festival's Facebook page.
Food and Refreshments
A refreshment stand and a food area are set up on site throughout the festival. Meals and snacks are prepared using local products. The restaurant-gîte La Gélinotte, located on the shore of Lac de Freydières, is also open during the festival.
Practical Tips
- Bring warm clothes for the evening (altitude 1,100 m, temperatures drop quickly)
- Bring a blanket or throw to sit comfortably in front of the shows
- Wear suitable shoes for the natural terrain (grass, paths)
- The site is in nature: please respect the environment and leave no waste
- Bring cash for the refreshment stand and the free-price participation
- In case of bad weather, some shows may be adapted or relocated
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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Where does it take place — Belledonne en Cirque
Lac de Freydières
Lac de Freydières, 38420 Revel