Pont des Arts Festival

Pont des Arts Festival: Art in the street at the heart of Pontarlier

Since 2012, the Pont des Arts Festival has enlivened the streets of Pontarlier every June, driven by the association La Sarbacane. This festival of street theater and multidisciplinary arts has won over the public of Pontarlier and beyond, by offering a demanding yet accessible program in the city's public spaces.

Street Theater as its DNA

At the heart of the Pont des Arts Festival's identity, street theater is the backbone of the programming. Invited companies take over the squares, streets, parks, and shop windows of Pontarlier to offer varied shows: theater, contemporary circus, dance, visual arts, music, and participatory performances. Parades and processions are the festival's signature, leading the public on artistic journeys through the city.

Parades at the heart of the program

The festival has made parades its common thread. In 2025, for the 13th edition, three processions were scheduled, including a route through shop windows in partnership with Commerce Pontarlier Centre. These festive processions take the public to all corners of the city, creating moments of surprise and sharing around street corners. No less than 15 performances take over public spaces in a festive and friendly atmosphere.

A festival rooted in local life

The Pont des Arts Festival is deeply rooted in the cultural life of Pontarlier. By taking over the streets, shop windows, and the Pareuses district, it creates links between residents, shopkeepers, and artists. The festival collaborates with local stakeholders and contributes to the animation of the city center at the beginning of summer. Its free and accessible nature makes it a popular event, open to all audiences and all generations.

Growing influence

Over the editions, the Pont des Arts Festival has gained in scale and notoriety, attracting renowned national companies and an ever-increasing number of spectators. The festival is supported by the City of Pontarlier, the Department of Doubs, and the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region, testifying to its importance in the cultural landscape of Franche-Comté.