Festival Garden Paradis
Puppet festival at the Château du Grand Jardin in Joinville
About Garden Paradis
The Festival Garden Paradis is an event dedicated to the art of puppetry, organized by the company Le Jardin Parallèle in the Renaissance setting of the Château du Grand Jardin in Joinville, Haute-Marne. Each early summer, over a weekend, the gardens, classified as Jardin Remarquable, host several puppet shows for all audiences aged 3 and up. Shadow theater, object theater, glove puppets, string puppets, or life-size puppets: a different show is offered every thirty minutes, offering visitors a free artistic stroll through the park's pathways.
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Festival Garden Paradis: The Art of Puppetry in a Renaissance Garden
Created in 2015 by the company Le Jardin Parallèle, a company designated for puppetry mentorship, the Festival Garden Paradis takes over the Château du Grand Jardin in Joinville each year for a weekend entirely dedicated to contemporary puppetry. Led by artists David Girondin Moab (Cie Pseudonymo) and Angélique Friant (Cie Succursale 101), the festival offers a playful and poetic immersion in the heart of a Renaissance heritage site classified as a Historic Monument.
An Artistic Stroll Through the Gardens
The festival's concept is simple and original: spectators wander freely through the gardens and halls of the château, where puppetry companies offer intimate, surprising, and varied shows. A different show begins every thirty minutes, on Saturday and Sunday, from 11 am to 7 pm. Around a bend in the path, in a shaded corner, or in full light, puppets appear and enchant both young and old.
A Diversity of Puppetry Techniques
Garden Paradis is an opportunity to discover an exceptional panorama of contemporary puppetry techniques:
- Shadow Theater: plays of silhouettes and projected lights
- Object Theater: poetic reinterpretation of everyday objects
- Glove Puppets: revisited Lyonnaise and Chinese tradition
- String Puppets: precision of gesture and movement
- Hand and Table Puppets: manipulation visible to the audience
- Life-size Puppets: spectacular outdoor forms
Guest Companies from All Over France
Each edition hosts several companies specializing in puppetry arts, selected by Le Jardin Parallèle for the quality and uniqueness of their work. Among the companies that have participated in the festival: Succursale 101, Drolatic Industry, Pseudonymo, Les Soleils Piétons, En Lacets, and many others. The festival also includes puppet-making workshops led by artists, allowing the public to learn about this fascinating art.
A Festival for All Audiences
The shows are accessible from age 3 and are intended for all ages. Each artistic offering is designed to delight children while captivating adults, in a friendly and family atmosphere. Admission to the festival is free, making this event accessible to the widest possible audience.
The Château du Grand Jardin: A Heritage Gem
Built between 1533 and 1546 by Claude de Lorraine, the first Duke of Guise, the Château du Grand Jardin is a jewel of Renaissance architecture in Champagne. Its four-hectare gardens, classified as Jardin Remarquable, offer a lush green setting ideal for outdoor performances. Owned by the Conseil départemental de la Haute-Marne, the site provides an enchanting backdrop that dialogues with the poetry of puppetry.
Le Jardin Parallèle: A Major Player in Puppetry in France
Founded in 2010 in Reims, Le Jardin Parallèle is a company-venue designated for mentorship by the Ministry of Culture, dedicated to creation, research, and transmission in the field of puppetry arts. By organizing the Festival Garden Paradis in Joinville, the company weaves a precious link between its contemporary creation work and the heritage of Haute-Marne, contributing to the cultural influence of the territory.
Garden Paradis — edition 2026
The Festival Garden Paradis is expected to return to the Château du Grand Jardin in Joinville in June 2026 for a new weekend of contemporary puppet shows in the open air. Shows every thirty minutes, puppet-making workshops, and free wandering in the Renaissance gardens. Free admission. Program to be confirmed.
Prices Garden Paradis 2026
Practical information — Garden Paradis
Access to the Château du Grand Jardin
Address: 5 Avenue de la Marne, 52300 Joinville
By Car: Joinville is located between Chaumont (approx. 45 minutes) and Saint-Dizier (approx. 30 minutes), accessible via the D60 and N67. From Paris, take the A5 motorway then the N67 towards Joinville (approx. 2h45). From Nancy, take the N4 then the D960 (approx. 1h30). Free parking is available in the immediate vicinity of the château, along the Avenue de la Marne.
By Train: Joinville station is served by the TER Grand Est line connecting Saint-Dizier to Chaumont. The château is about a ten-minute walk from the station, following the direction of the town center.
Dates and Times
The festival takes place over a weekend in June, usually the first or second weekend of the month. Shows are presented on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 am to 7 pm. A different show begins every thirty minutes, allowing visitors to freely compose their artistic itinerary throughout the day.
Prices
Free admission for all shows and workshops. The festival is open to everyone, with no prior reservation required.
Audience
The shows are intended for all audiences, from age 3. Each offering is adapted for a family audience, with short formats accessible to the youngest and more elaborate creations for teenagers and adults.
Workshops
Puppet-making workshops are offered during the festival, led by artists from the invited companies and by the Le Jardin Parallèle team. These workshops are open to all ages and allow participants to discover puppet-making techniques.
Catering
Light catering and drinks are generally available on the festival site, allowing visitors to spend the day in the château gardens.
Accessibility
The Château du Grand Jardin site is partially accessible to people with reduced mobility. Outdoor performances take place on grassy areas. It is advisable to wear suitable footwear and sun protection.
Contact
Le Jardin Parallèle
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 09 81 24 07 66
Website: www.lejardinparallele.fr
Facebook: Le Jardin Parallèle
Instagram: @le.jardin.parallele
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Garden Paradis
Château du Grand Jardin
5 Avenue de la Marne, 52300 Joinville