Festival des 7 Collines
Circus, dance and music in Saint-Étienne
About 7 Collines
Created in 1995, the Festival des 7 Collines is a multidisciplinary event that takes place annually in Saint-Étienne and the towns of the Saint-Étienne metropolitan area. Under the artistic direction of Jean-Philippe Mirandon, the festival highlights the richness and diversity of contemporary creation in circus, dance, performance, and music. For over two weeks, between late June and early July, national and international companies take over the emblematic cultural venues of the city — the Opéra-Théâtre, the Comédie, Le Fil, the Parc François Mitterrand, the Cité du Design — to present around thirty shows combining contemporary circus, contemporary dance, performances, and concerts. A member of the ONDA, Territoires de cirque, and Cirq'AURA networks, the festival attracts approximately 15,000 spectators each year and is actively involved in artistic and cultural education through outreach activities in the neighborhoods.
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The Festival des 7 Collines: Contemporary Creation at the Heart of Saint-Étienne
Since 1995, the Festival des 7 Collines has established itself as a must-attend event for contemporary creation in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Located in Saint-Étienne, the city of seven hills, this multidisciplinary festival celebrates the performing arts in all their diversity each summer: contemporary circus, dance, performance, and music.
A Strong Artistic Identity
Under the artistic direction of Jean-Philippe Mirandon, the Festival des 7 Collines focuses its programming choices on innovative creators and projects that question our perception of art and the contemporary world. The festival favors a subtle balance between international artists and regional talents from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, with around ten new creations each year. The programming gives pride of place to contemporary circus and dance, with proposals that push the boundaries between disciplines.
Iconic Venues of the Saint-Étienne Metropolitan Area
The festival takes over the major cultural venues of Saint-Étienne and its metropolitan area: the Opéra-Théâtre for large-scale productions, the Comédie de Saint-Étienne for theater and indoor circus, Le Fil (a contemporary music venue), the Parc François Mitterrand for shows under a big top and outdoors, the Cité du Design, and the Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain. The festival also extends its reach beyond Saint-Étienne to the towns of the agglomeration: Saint-Chamond, Firminy, Sorbiers, Andrézieux-Bouthéon, and La Talaudière.
Commitment to Artistic and Cultural Education
The Festival des 7 Collines pays particular attention to cultural outreach and making art accessible to the widest possible audience. The Cirqu'au Collège program, in partnership with the Alta Gama company, introduces middle school students to circus arts. Outreach workshops are led by invited companies in various neighborhoods of Saint-Étienne. The Jeunesse au Cirque day, organized at Parc François Mitterrand, offers free introductions to circus arts for young audiences.
A Networked Festival
The Festival des 7 Collines is a member of three major professional networks: the ONDA (Office National de Diffusion Artistique), Territoires de cirque (the national network dedicated to contemporary circus, of which it has been a member since 2015), and Cirq'AURA (the regional circus network in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes). These affiliations attest to the festival's recognition by cultural institutions and its role in the dissemination and support of contemporary creation.
7 Collines — edition 2026
The 32nd edition of the Festival des 7 Collines will be held in Saint-Étienne and the towns of the Saint-Étienne metropolitan area in June-July 2026. The festival will offer a new program of contemporary circus, dance, performance, and music, with national and international artists taking over the city's emblematic cultural venues.
32nd Edition — Summer 2026
The Festival des 7 Collines returns for its 32nd edition in the summer of 2026. True to its artistic identity, the festival will offer over two weeks of shows featuring contemporary circus, dance, performance, and music in the major cultural venues of Saint-Étienne and its metropolitan area.
Under the artistic direction of Jean-Philippe Mirandon, the program will bring together national and international companies, with a particular focus on original creations and emerging talents from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Parc François Mitterrand, the Opéra-Théâtre, the Comédie de Saint-Étienne, Le Fil, and other partner venues will host the shows and artistic encounters.
The complete program of cultural activities — Cirqu'au Collège, neighborhood outreach, Jeunesse au Cirque — will be renewed for this new edition, continuing the festival's commitment to artistic education and making culture accessible to the widest possible audience.
The full program and ticketing information will be announced in spring 2026 on the festival's official website.
Programme 7 Collines 2026
2026 Program
The official program for the 32nd edition will be unveiled in spring 2026. As every year, the festival will offer:
- Contemporary Circus: companies under the big top at Parc François Mitterrand and in indoor venues
- Dance and Performance: creations at the Comédie, Opéra-Théâtre, and in unique locations
- Music: concerts at Le Fil and outdoors
- Cultural Activities: Cirqu'au Collège, neighborhood outreach, Jeunesse au Cirque
Performance Venues
- Parc François Mitterrand
- Opéra-Théâtre de Saint-Étienne
- La Comédie de Saint-Étienne
- Le Fil — Contemporary Music Venue
- Cité du Design
- Towns in the metropolitan area: Saint-Chamond, Firminy, Sorbiers, Andrézieux-Bouthéon, La Talaudière
Highlights 7 Collines 2026
To Note for 2026
- 32nd edition of the Festival des 7 Collines
- Over two weeks of shows in June-July 2026
- Contemporary circus, dance, performance, and music
- Full program to be announced in spring 2026
- Ticketing at festivaldes7collines.mapado.com
Prices 7 Collines 2026
Practical information — 7 Collines
Practical Information
Getting There and Transport
By Car: Saint-Étienne is accessible via the A72 highway from Lyon (approx. 1 hour) and the A75 from Clermont-Ferrand (approx. 2 hours). Parc François Mitterrand and the downtown performance venues have nearby parking.
By Train: Saint-Étienne-Châteaucreux station is served by TGV from Paris (approx. 3 hours), and by TER from Lyon (approx. 50 min) and Clermont-Ferrand. The performance venues are accessible by tram from the station.
By Tram: The STAS network serves all festival venues. The "Jean Jaurès" stop is the most central.
Ticketing
Prices:
- Full price: €20
- Reduced price / Pass 7 Collines: €16 (for at least 3 different shows)
- Youth price (up to 16 years old inclusive): €12
- Some shows are free
Reduced price applicable to: under 25s, students under 30s, people with disabilities and their companions, job seekers.
Points of Sale:
- Festival Office: 6, rue François Gillet, 42000 Saint-Étienne — Monday-Friday, 10 am-12:30 pm and 2 pm-5 pm — Tel: 04 77 32 54 13 — Email: [email protected]
- Librairie Forum: 5, rue Michel Rondet, Saint-Étienne — Monday-Saturday, 10 am-7 pm
- Online: festivaldes7collines.mapado.com
Chèques vacances, UP culture checks, Pass' Région, and Pass Culture are accepted only at the Festival Office.
Contact
Festival des 7 Collines
6, rue François Gillet — 42000 Saint-Étienne
Phone: 04 77 32 54 13
Email: [email protected]
Ticketing: [email protected]
Press: [email protected]
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach 7 Collines at the best price.
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Where does it take place — 7 Collines
Divers lieux de Saint-Étienne et de la métropole
6, rue François Gillet, 42000 Saint-Étienne