Festival des 7 Collines

31st Edition — June 22 to July 7, 2025

The Festival des 7 Collines celebrated its 31st edition from June 22 to July 7, 2025, taking over the emblematic cultural venues of Saint-Étienne and its metropolitan area for over two weeks. Under the artistic direction of Jean-Philippe Mirandon, this edition featured an exceptional program combining contemporary circus, dance, performance, and music, with a balance between international artists and regional talents from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

Program Highlights

Cirque Aïtal set up its unique camp at Parc François Mitterrand, offering the public an immersive outdoor circus experience. At the Opéra-Théâtre, the Groupe Acrobatique de Tanger, masters of human pyramids, presented a breathtaking evening with their latest creation. At the Comédie, Mathurin Bolze's new show took the audience on a suspended journey to the Far North.

Invited Artists and Companies

Among the 19 invited artists and companies for the 2025 edition: Bérangère Gros (À Ciel Ouvert), Emmanuelle Nonet and Manon Briens (Bankal), Bénin International Musical, Eva de Ayguavives (Copyleft), Marie Grujicic (Curiosité), Axel Satgé (Heka), Mélanie Baudry (Immaqaa, Ici Peut-Être), Pierre Treille (Jimmy), Jean-François Pyka (Ka-ïn), Axelle Leblanc (Kostüm), Guillaume Cornu (Obake), Maxime Dautremont (One Shot), Queralt Lahoz, Théa Bessonneau (Artistic Residency), Adélie Bacle (Sanké), Xavier Lavabre (Sans Regrets ?), Marie Lucchini (Seule la Rose le Sait), Nanou Peeters (Vent d'Ouest), and Amir Sabra (Within This Party).

Cultural Activities

The Cirqu'au Collège program, with the Alta Gama company, allowed middle school students to experience circus arts. Cultural outreach workshops were conducted in the neighborhoods of Saint-Étienne by Triphasés and the Sanké company. The Jeunesse au Cirque day on July 7 at Parc François Mitterrand offered free introductions for young audiences.

Invited Artists — 2025 Edition

• À Ciel Ouvert — Bérangère Gros
• Bankal — Emmanuelle Nonet & Manon Briens
• Bénin International Musical
• Copyleft — Eva de Ayguavives
• Curiosité — Marie Grujicic
• Heka — Axel Satgé
• Immaqaa, Ici Peut-Être — Mélanie Baudry
• Jimmy — Pierre Treille
• Ka-ïn — Jean-François Pyka
• Kostüm — Axelle Leblanc
• Obake — Guillaume Cornu
• One Shot — Maxime Dautremont
• Queralt Lahoz
• Artistic Residency — Théa Bessonneau
• Sanké — Adélie Bacle
• Sans Regrets ? — Xavier Lavabre
• Seule la Rose le Sait — Marie Lucchini
• Vent d'Ouest — Nanou Peeters
• Within This Party — Amir Sabra

Performance Venues

• Parc François Mitterrand (big top and outdoor)
• Opéra-Théâtre de Saint-Étienne
• La Comédie de Saint-Étienne
• Le Fil — Contemporary Music Venue
• Cité du Design
• Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain

Highlights of the 2025 Edition

• 31st edition of the festival, from June 22 to July 7, 2025
• 19 invited artists and companies, blending contemporary circus, dance, performance, and music
• Cirque Aïtal at Parc François Mitterrand — outdoor circus camp
• Groupe Acrobatique de Tanger at the Opéra-Théâtre — human pyramids and acrobatics
• Mathurin Bolze at the Comédie — new circus creation
• Bénin International Musical and Queralt Lahoz — concerts
• Cirqu'au Collège and Jeunesse au Cirque — artistic and cultural education activities
• Approximately 15,000 spectators expected