Festival à Vif
Live performance and creation festival at Le Préau, Centre Dramatique National de Normandie
About À Vif
The Festival à Vif is a live performance festival organized by Le Préau, Centre Dramatique National (CDN) of Normandy in Vire. Every year in May, for about ten days, the festival offers five shows united around a common theme, exploring contemporary theater, dance, documentary theater, and participatory forms. A place for meetings and exchanges between artists and spectators, À Vif turns Le Préau into a creation laboratory open to all.
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach À Vif at the best price.
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A Creation Festival at Le Préau CDN
The Festival à Vif is the annual highlight of Le Préau, Centre Dramatique National de Normandie in Vire. Initially launched as the "Ados" festival by Pauline Sales and Vincent Garanger, the event was renamed "À Vif" by Lucie Berelowitsch, who expanded its programming beyond just a young audience to offer encounters between adults and teenagers, with shows for all audiences.
Five Shows, One Theme
Each edition of the festival is built around a unifying theme. In 2024, the theme was "Battle Chants", exploring the songs we carry within us and the battles we fight to build ourselves. In 2025, the theme "Surprising" questioned our ability to transform ourselves and reinvent our lives together. Five shows with varied aesthetics—documentary theater, dance, intimate storytelling, musical stand-up, participatory creation—make up the program.
A Creation Laboratory
Beyond the performances, the Festival à Vif is a unique moment for meetings and exchanges where artists and spectators interact in a friendly atmosphere. For ten days, the Théâtre du Préau becomes a true creation laboratory, open to amateurs and professionals alike. Participatory creations involving professional artists, local residents, and teenagers are a highlight of the festival.
Le Préau, CDN of Normandy
Le Préau is one of France's National Dramatic Centers, accredited by the Ministry of Culture. Located in Vire Normandie, it develops a demanding program combining contemporary creation, national tours, and cultural mediation actions in the bocage normand region.
À Vif — edition 2026
The Festival à Vif 2026 is expected in May 2026 at Le Préau CDN of Vire Normandie, with a new edition offering five shows united around a common theme.
Festival à Vif 2026
The Festival à Vif 2026 is expected in May 2026 at Le Préau CDN de Normandie in Vire. True to its format, the festival will offer five shows united around a common theme, blending contemporary theater, dance, participatory creations, and encounters between artists and spectators.
The theme and program will be announced in the coming months on www.lepreaucdn.fr.
Prices À Vif 2026
Practical information — À Vif
Practical Information
Location
Le Préau — CDN de Normandie, Place Castel, Vire Normandie (14500), Calvados.
Access
- By car: From Caen (60 km), N174 then D577. From Paris (280 km), A13 then A84 towards Rennes, exit Vire.
- By bus: Nomad lines from Caen and Flers.
- Parking: Free parking in Vire town center.
Prices
- Full price: from €5 to €15 depending on the show
- Reduced price: available (youth, job seekers, etc.)
- Season subscription: preferential rates for the Le Préau season
Ticketing
Bookings on the Le Préau website: www.lepreaucdn.fr
Contact
- Website: www.lepreaucdn.fr
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach À Vif at the best price.
Sponsored link
Where does it take place — À Vif
Le Préau — Centre Dramatique National de Normandie
Place Castel, 14500 Vire Normandie