Festival du Bitume et des Plumes
Street arts festival in Besançon
2026
About Bitume et Plumes
Bitume et Plumes — edition 2026
The 11th edition of the Festival du Bitume et des Plumes will take place on October 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, 2026, at Place Granvelle and various public spaces throughout Besançon. As the largest street arts festival in Franche-Comté, it will once again offer several days of free performances—including circus, dance, street theater, clowning, concerts, and exhibitions—centered on themes of memory, resistance, love, and public service, featuring highlights such as "Le Grand Blanc" by the Besançon-based company À demain j'espère and "Le Message" by Jour de Fête Compagnie.
11th Edition — October 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, 2026
The Festival du Bitume et des Plumes returns for its 11th edition on October 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, 2026, at Place Granvelle and across the public spaces of Besançon. Organized by the Association du Goudron et des Plumes, the festival continues its mission of providing free, accessible street arts for everyone.
The 2026 edition focuses on the themes of memory, resistance, love, and public service. Among the first shows announced are: "Le Grand Blanc" (Cie À demain j'espère), an investigative performance on the healthcare system; "Le Message" (Jour de Fête Compagnie), a wandering performance inspired by Andrée Chedid's novel; "Brigades de déraillement public pour transports en commun" (Collectif Xanadou), immersive theater on Ginko buses and trams; "Levántate, soulève-toi !" (Cie Sale Gamine); and "Le Mariage Forcé" (Cie 800 litres de paille), a reinterpretation of Molière.
The poster for this 11th edition was created by Besançon-based illustrator Caroline Pageaud for the fourth and final consecutive year. A "before" event will be held on September 19th, 2026, in Boussières, in the Grand Besançon area, featuring a free show and a stamp-making workshop.
The detailed program (shows, companies, and times) will be unveiled by the organizers in mid-September 2026. As every year, the festival will feature around thirty shows and a dozen multidisciplinary activities throughout the city center's streets and squares.
Highlights Bitume et Plumes 2026
- Le Grand Blanc (Cie À demain j'espère, Besançon) — an investigative performance exploring the medical system and the challenges facing public health services.
- Le Message (Jour de Fête Compagnie) — a wandering performance inspired by Andrée Chedid's novel, telling a story of love and hope set against the backdrop of war.
- Brigades de déraillement public pour transports en commun (Collectif Xanadou) — immersive theater taking place on Ginko buses and trams, in partnership with the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional du Grand Besançon Métropole.
- Levántate, soulève-toi ! (Cie Sale Gamine) — theater and music focusing on influencers and greenwashing.
- Le Mariage Forcé (Cie 800 litres de paille) — a quirky, modern take on Molière.
Programme Bitume et Plumes 2026
The full program (shows, times, and locations) for the 11th edition will be announced by the organizers in mid-September 2026; it will be added here as soon as it is released.
Prices Bitume et Plumes 2026
Practical information — Bitume et Plumes
Practical Information
Access
By car: Besançon is accessible via the A36 highway. City center parking: Granvelle, Chamars, Mairie.
By train: Besançon Viotte station, then a 10-15 minute walk to Place Granvelle.
By bus: Ginko network, city center stops.
Prices
- Shows: entirely free
- After du Bitume: special evening rate
Festival Venues
- Place Granvelle (heart of the festival)
- Squares and courtyards in Besançon city center
Contact
Association du Goudron et des Plumes
Website: festivalbitumeplumes.fr
Du Bitume et des Plumes: Street Art Since 2014
Since its creation in 2014, the Festival du Bitume et des Plumes transforms Besançon's public spaces into open-air stages every autumn. Supported by the Association du Goudron et des Plumes, recognized as being of general interest, this festival has become the largest street arts festival in Franche-Comté, attracting an ever-growing family audience.
A Multidisciplinary Program
The festival offers a rich and diverse program that embraces all forms of street arts: circus, dance, street theater, clown, performances, concerts, exhibitions, and installations. Each edition features around thirty shows and a dozen activities, inviting the public to wander through the city, discovering artistic offerings.
Place Granvelle: The Heart of the Festival
Place Granvelle, in the center of Besançon, is the beating heart of the festival. It's where the main shows and activities are concentrated. But the festival also takes over other squares and courtyards in the city, creating an urban artistic trail that encourages strolling and discovery.
10 Years of Militant Free Access
Since its inception, the Festival du Bitume et des Plumes has chosen total free access (except for the evening "After du Bitume"). This choice is asserted as a political act: to guarantee accessibility, foster encounters between audiences, and enable emancipation through art. In ten years, this gamble has largely paid off, with the festival growing from a few thousand spectators to 18,000 in 2024.
The 2025 Edition: 10 Years Under the Sign of Love
The 2025 edition, the tenth, was themed around Love. With 35 shows and 9 activities, this anniversary edition offered an eclectic program: circus with Gagarine is not dead, dance with Amours, theater with JOUIR, and many other artistic offerings to discover with family.
A Committed Festival Rooted in its Territory
The Festival du Bitume et des Plumes is more than just an artistic event; it's a territorial project. It unites a network of passionate volunteers, follows an eco-responsible approach, and works with local residents to create social connections. The festival is supported by the City of Besançon, Grand Besançon Métropole, and the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region.
Where does it take place — Bitume et Plumes
Bitume et Plumes in brief
Other festivals near Besançon
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