Coup de Théâtre
Professional open-air theatre festival in Annecy
2026
About Coup de Théâtre
Coup de Théâtre is a professional theatre festival held every September in Annecy and the surrounding towns of the Annecy basin. Founded in 2012 by Maud de Cointet and organized by the association Agitateurs de rêves, the festival features open-air performances in unconventional venues. It operates on a pay-what-you-wish basis, allowing every spectator to set their own ticket price. Each evening concludes with a live concert.
Coup de Théâtre — edition 2026
The 15th edition of Coup de Théâtre takes place from September 5 to 13, 2026, in Annecy and Poisy: six professional shows, seven concerts, and a closing day at the Jardins de l'Europe, all on a pay-what-you-want basis. The program features Le Cabaret Mythique by Les Mauvais Élèves, Le Schpountz by Marcel Pagnol performed by Théâtre des Criques, and En attendant Bojangles based on Olivier Bourdeaut.
15th edition, September 5–13, 2026
Coup de Théâtre returns from September 5 to 13, 2026, for its 15th edition in Annecy and Poisy. Six professional shows, seven concerts, five lunchtime meet-ups, and a closing day, all on a pay-what-you-want basis.
2026 Festival Venues
Performances are spread across parc Charles Bosson (Pop Plage entrance), salle Pierre Lamy (12 rue de la République), and the cour du Château (place du Château) in Annecy, Le Podium in Poisy (200 route Parc Espaces), and the Jardins de l'Europe for the September 13th festivities. Lunchtime meet-ups take place at La Buvette du Marché, 3 place du Château.
Pay-what-you-want, no reservations
Each spectator decides the price of their ticket based on their means. Reservations and seat selection are not possible. As capacity is limited, we recommend arriving 1 to 1.5 hours before the start of the performance.
Cultural Outreach
The festival hosts school groups for L'Abécédaire des Classiques #IJKL and Victor Hugoat n°1 du rap français, and performs a concert for patients at the Annecy Genevois Hospital Center. Students from the "Performing Arts" diploma program, specializing in costume techniques at the Germain Sommeiller vocational high school in Annecy, work alongside the actors and costume designers.
Highlights Coup de Théâtre 2026
- Le Cabaret Mythique by Cie Les Mauvais Élèves, directed by Shirley and Dino, September 5 and 6 at salle Pierre Lamy
- Le Schpountz by Marcel Pagnol, performed by Théâtre des Criques, a Festival Off d'Avignon 2025 favorite, September 8 and 9 at cour du Château
- En attendant Bojangles based on Olivier Bourdeaut, by Théâtre Le Public, September 11 and 12 at cour du Château
- Victor Hugoat n°1 du rap français by and with Barthélemy Héran, Jury Prize winner at Les Planches de l'ICART 2024, September 10 at Le Podium in Poisy
- Gagarine is not dead, acrobatic street theater for ages 3+, September 5 and 6 at parc Charles Bosson
- Seven late-night concerts, ranging from alternative rock to gospel and funk
- Closing day on September 13 at Jardins de l'Europe: live karaoke followed by a shared picnic by the lake
Programme Coup de Théâtre 2026
Saturday, September 5, 2026
- 5:30 PM — Gagarine is not dead, Cie Les Sanglés and En Corps En l'Air · parc Charles Bosson (Pop Plage entrance), Annecy · anti-gravity street theater, ages 3+, children must be accompanied by a parent, 1h05
- 7:00 PM — Velvet Motel · parvis de la salle Pierre Lamy, Annecy · alternative rock concert
- 8:30 PM — Le Cabaret Mythique, Cie Les Mauvais Élèves, directed by Shirley and Dino · salle Pierre Lamy, Annecy · burlesque comedy, ages 14+, 1h30
Sunday, September 6, 2026
- 5:30 PM — Gagarine is not dead, Cie Les Sanglés and En Corps En l'Air · parc Charles Bosson (Pop Plage entrance), Annecy · anti-gravity street theater, ages 3+, 1h05
- 7:00 PM — Djeli Moussa Condé · parvis de la salle Pierre Lamy, Annecy · world music concert
- 8:30 PM — Le Cabaret Mythique, Cie Les Mauvais Élèves · salle Pierre Lamy, Annecy · burlesque comedy, ages 14+, 1h30
Monday, September 7, 2026
- 8:30 PM — L'Abécédaire des Classiques #IJKL, Cie le Bruit de la rouille · salle Pierre Lamy, Annecy · revisited repertoire, ages 12+, 50 min. Four letters, four works, 10 minutes each: Iliade, Le Jeu de l'amour et du hasard, King Lear, and Lysistrata, preview performance
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
- 12:30 PM — Coup de théâtre lunch sessions · La Buvette du Marché, Annecy · meet the festival team and artists, open to all
- 8:00 PM — Le Schpountz by Marcel Pagnol, Théâtre des Criques and Lucernaire diffusion · cour du Château, Annecy · theater, ages 10+, 1h30
- 9:30 PM — Fanfare Trop Tard · cour du Château, Annecy · brass band and song concert
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
- 12:30 PM — Coup de théâtre lunch sessions · La Buvette du Marché, Annecy
- 8:00 PM — Le Schpountz by Marcel Pagnol, Théâtre des Criques and Lucernaire diffusion · cour du Château, Annecy · theater, ages 10+, 1h30
- 9:30 PM — Gospel Vibes · cour du Château, Annecy · gospel concert
Thursday, September 10, 2026
- 12:30 PM — Coup de théâtre lunch sessions · La Buvette du Marché, Annecy
- 8:00 PM — Victor Hugoat n°1 du rap français, by and with Barthélemy Héran, directed by Grégoire de Chavanes · Le Podium, Poisy · one-man show, ages 12+, 1h15
- 9:30 PM — Ginger Pills · parvis du Podium, Poisy · pop rock concert
Friday, September 11, 2026
- 12:30 PM — Coup de théâtre lunch sessions · La Buvette du Marché, Annecy
- 8:00 PM — En attendant Bojangles, based on the novel by Olivier Bourdeaut, adapted and directed by Victoire Berger-Perrin, Théâtre Le Public · cour du Château, Annecy · theater, ages 12+, 1h30
- 9:30 PM — People Aki · cour du Château, Annecy · ska, jazz, and song concert
Saturday, September 12, 2026
- 12:30 PM — Coup de théâtre lunch sessions · La Buvette du Marché, Annecy
- 8:00 PM — En attendant Bojangles, based on the novel by Olivier Bourdeaut, Théâtre Le Public · cour du Château, Annecy · theater, ages 12+, 1h30
- 9:30 PM — Modjo · cour du Château, Annecy · funk and soul concert
Sunday, September 13, 2026
- 4:30 PM — Live Karaoke, accompanied by guitarists Peter Rosz and David Delacotte · Jardins de l'Europe, Annecy · open to all
- From 6:00 PM — Grand closing picnic · Jardins de l'Europe, Annecy · bring something to share, featuring the Fanfare Trop Tard
Ongoing throughout the festival
- Refreshments and food with Simone, the festival's vintage food truck. After each show, the evening continues around it with a concert.
- Music in the queues with Dove, the Frankinettes, Fanfare Trop Tard, Angèle, Ginger Pills, and People Aki.
Prices Coup de Théâtre 2026
Practical information — Coup de Théâtre
Practical Information
Pricing and access
Pay-what-you-wish: every spectator sets their own ticket price based on their means. Reservations are not possible, and seating is first-come, first-served. As venues have limited capacity, organizers recommend arriving 60 to 90 minutes before the start of the performance.
Venues
- Cour du Château — place du Château, 74000 Annecy
- Salle Pierre Lamy — 12 rue de la République, 74000 Annecy
- Parc Charles Bosson — Pop Plage entrance, 74000 Annecy
- Jardins de l'Europe — Annecy
- La Buvette du Marché — 3 place du Château, 74000 Annecy
- Le Podium — 200 route Parc Espaces, 74330 Poisy, free 280-space parking lot
Getting there
Bus lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15A/B, 20, 26, and 27 serve the main locations. From the Annecy train station stop, it is a 6 to 11-minute walk depending on the site. Vélonecy self-service bike stations are located near the train station and in Albigny.
Food and drink
Simone, the festival's mobile bar, provides drinks and food. After the shows, the evening continues there with a concert.
In case of rain
Performances continue during light rain. In the event of a storm or heavy downpour, the organizers will either move to a backup location or cancel the show. Updates are posted on the website and social media a few hours before the performance.
Accessibility
Most shows are accessible to people with reduced mobility. Please email [email protected] to plan your visit.
Contact
Agitateurs de rêves, Maison Vuilloud, 3 place du Château, 74000 Annecy. Phone: 04 50 66 14 11.
Coup de Théâtre: Professional theatre with free access in Annecy
Maud de Cointet launched Coup de Théâtre in 2012 with the goal of taking theatre out of traditional venues and bringing it directly to the public. Since then, the festival has been held annually in September across Annecy and its neighboring towns, managed by the Agitateurs de rêves association. Sébastien Babel serves as the director, with Anne Habermeyer leading as artistic director.
Unconventional stages
From village squares and private gardens to castle courtyards, boats, and fire stations, the festival sets up its seating in spaces never intended for performance. Shows are held outdoors, with contingency plans in place for inclement weather. Since 2018, the program has expanded to span nine days across several municipalities around the lake.
Pay-what-you-wish
There are no tickets to buy and no reservations to make. Every spectator contributes what they can afford. Local businesses and merchants cover 80% of the budget—a rare model for a French festival—with the remainder coming from public grants, memberships, and donations. The organizers report approximately 9,000 attendees per edition.
Classic works and emerging talent
The selection blends revisited classics, contemporary creations, one-person shows, and street theatre. Some performances are suitable for children as young as 3, while others are intended for teens and adults; recommended ages are indicated for each show in the program. Every evening ends with a concert at the festival's mobile bar, the camioguinguette.
Patrons and cultural outreach
Jean Rochefort served as the festival's patron from 2014 to 2017, followed by Corinne and Gilles Benizio, also known as Shirley and Dino. Each year, the festival hosts school groups, performs a concert at the Annecy Genevois Hospital Center, and provides training opportunities for students in the performing arts to work alongside professional actors and costume designers.
Where does it take place — Coup de Théâtre
Coup de Théâtre in brief
History of Coup de Théâtre
Edition 2025 Sep 2025Other festivals near Annecy
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