La Belle Virée en Val de Sarthe

La Belle Virée: street art along the Sarthe

Since 2018, the festival La Belle Virée en Val de Sarthe has offered an original concept: a traveling street arts festival that moves from town to town along the Sarthe River. For three days in July, the festival sets up in three different villages — Souligné-Flacé, Malicorne-sur-Sarthe, Spay, or other towns in the area — each time offering a show adapted to the location and its history.

A free festival for the whole family

Free access is at the heart of La Belle Virée's project. Every show, every workshop, every activity is accessible to everyone, without any financial barriers. This strong political choice, supported by the Communauté de communes du Val de Sarthe, allows it to reach a large and diverse audience: families with children, teenagers, the elderly, all come together in the streets and village squares to share a moment of culture and celebration.

Circus, theater, and participatory creations

La Belle Virée's programming features contemporary circus, street theater, and visual arts. The artistic collective Les Baltringos, a long-time partner of the festival, is responsible for the artistic direction and invites circus, physical theater, puppet, and street music companies. Creative workshops — making objects from recycled materials, textile workshops, cooking workshops, drawing — complete the program and allow the public to become active participants in the celebration.

Strong territorial roots

La Belle Virée doesn't just offer shows: it creates social connections in a rural area. Each host town is involved in the organization, mobilizing local volunteers and associations. The festival works in partnership with town halls, libraries, schools, and social structures in the area to anchor art in the daily lives of the inhabitants of Val de Sarthe. Exhibitions by local artists and activities around selective sorting demonstrate a commitment that is both cultural and civic.