Château-Arnoux fait son Cirque

Château-Arnoux fait son Cirque: the circus event of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

Organized by the Théâtre Durance, Scène nationale, the Château-Arnoux fait son Cirque festival has established itself as a highlight of circus programming in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. This annual event transforms the surroundings of the theatre and the Plateau des Lauzières into a true open-air circus village, where young and old gather to celebrate the circus arts in all their forms.

A program dedicated to contemporary circus

The festival's program showcases contemporary circus in all its diversity: aerial acrobatics, trapeze, tightrope walking, Chinese pole, juggling, balancing, contemporary clowning, physical theatre, and street performances. Each edition hosts several circus companies, offering a range of shows from intimate creations to large-scale outdoor spectacles. The festival continues Théâtre Durance's commitment to the circus arts, a discipline at the heart of its multidisciplinary programming throughout the season.

A festival rooted in the territory

Located on the Plateau des Lauzières, at the crossroads of the Durance river and the first Alpine foothills, the festival benefits from an exceptional natural setting. Performances unfold outdoors, taking advantage of the Provençal light and the open spaces of the plateau. The Théâtre Durance, labeled Scène nationale by the Ministry of Culture in 2023, brings its expertise in hosting companies and cultural mediation for audiences.

Workshops and meetings for everyone

Beyond the shows, the festival offers introductory workshops to circus arts for children and families, meetings with artists, and moments of conviviality around food and drink. These times of sharing and discovery make the festival a truly participatory event, where the public is invited to experience circus disciplines.

Contemporary circus in the PACA region

Château-Arnoux fait son Cirque is part of the dynamism of contemporary circus in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, alongside major events such as the Biennale internationale des arts du cirque in Marseille, in which Théâtre Durance regularly participates as a partner venue. The festival thus contributes to the dissemination of circus arts in rural and peri-urban areas, promoting the values of accessibility, free admission, and encounters between artists and audiences.

A commitment to accessibility

True to the philosophy of Théâtre Durance, the festival is entirely free and implements accessibility measures for all audiences: PMR access, earplugs and noise-canceling headphones, a quiet space, adapted signage, and personalized welcome. The "bar des minots" welcomes the youngest with fun activities and non-alcoholic drinks.