Grenoble Clown Act Festival

The Clown Act Festival: the spotlight on stars

The Grenoble Clown Act Festival is a unique event dedicated to the art of clowning, which takes place every year in May under a big top set up at Parc des Arts, near Le Prunier Sauvage, in the southern district of Grenoble. This festival has become an unmissable event for circus and clown enthusiasts, bringing together artists from all over the world around the circus ring.

Ten years of clowning history

The festival was created in 2015 by the company Le Bateau de papier under the PIEDON circus big top. For ten years, it has brought together clowns from around the world, building a strong identity and a loyal audience. In 2025, after a decade of success, Le Bateau de papier has entrusted the organization of the festival to Cie Désordre Imaginaire, which now co-produces the event with Le Prunier Sauvage, a performance venue and cultural hub in the district.

Short-form acts in the spotlight

The particularity of the Clown Act Festival is to celebrate the short-form clown act. Around the circus ring, artists take turns performing varied, poetic, and hilarious acts, in the grand tradition of circus clowns. Each evening is structured as a complete show, with a sequence of acts interspersed with an intermission, allowing the audience to discover a wide diversity of clowning styles and personalities.

Young audiences and discerning audiences

The program is designed to appeal to different audiences. Wednesday is dedicated to young audiences, notably with the show "L'ours et la Lune" (The Bear and the Moon), suitable for children. The following evenings, from Thursday to Saturday, are intended for an older and more discerning audience, with more daring, absurd, and surprising clown acts.

The clown village

Since the 2025 edition, a "clown village" has been created around the big top. This friendly space offers clown stalls, an exhibition, a food truck, and a bar, allowing spectators to extend the experience before and after the shows. The village opens at 6:30 PM, offering a time for conviviality before the show under the big top begins at 7:30 PM.