La Ronde des Mots in Dombes
Young audience performance festival in the Dombes
2026
About La Ronde des Mots
La Ronde des Mots — edition 2026
La Ronde des Mots kicks off its 2026 edition on Sunday, September 20, at 5:00 PM at the Remparts in Saint-Trivier-sur-Moignans with the theatrical tale "L'Ourse", which is free and open to all. Four other shows follow on Sundays, from October 4 to November 22, in Chalamont, Villars-les-Dombes, Saint-André-de-Corcy, and Relevant, featuring violin, a show for babies from 6 months old, circus arts, and shadow theater.
2026 Edition
Five of the six shows for the 2026 edition have been announced. The festival begins on Sunday, September 20, in Saint-Trivier-sur-Moignans during the European Heritage Days and runs until November 22 in Relevant. All performances take place at 5:00 PM, except for the one in Villars-les-Dombes, which will be performed twice in the afternoon.
Five municipalities are hosting this edition: Saint-Trivier-sur-Moignans, Chalamont, Villars-les-Dombes, Saint-André-de-Corcy, and Relevant. The sixth show, typically held in December, has not yet been announced: as of mid-August 2026, the Communauté de communes de la Dombes indicates on its website that the full program is still to come.
Recommended ages range from 6 months for "Là le long" to 7 years for "Boîte à cordées". Reservations can be made through the Communauté de communes de la Dombes.
Highlights La Ronde des Mots 2026
- Opening on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM at the Remparts in Saint-Trivier-sur-Moignans, coinciding with the European Heritage Days: "L'Ourse", free and open to all
- "Là le long" by compagnie Najico, for ages 6 months and up, with two performances on October 18 at Lud'Ô Dombes (Villars-les-Dombes)
- "Jeux d'enfants" by compagnie Commun Accord, featuring circus and acting, on November 8 in Saint-André-de-Corcy
- Five host municipalities: Saint-Trivier-sur-Moignans, Chalamont, Villars-les-Dombes, Saint-André-de-Corcy, and Relevant
- The sixth show of the edition, expected in December, has not yet been announced
Programme La Ronde des Mots 2026
Sunday, September 20, 2026 — Saint-Trivier-sur-Moignans
- 5:00 PM — "L'Ourse", a theatrical, sung, and musical tale performed by three actresses · Les Remparts · opening festival show, free and open to all
Sunday, October 4, 2026 — Chalamont
- 5:00 PM — "Boîte à cordées", La Toute Petite Compagnie · Salle polyvalente, route d'Ambérieu-en-Bugey, La Croix Dorée · ages 7 and up · duration 45 minutes · violin duo, featuring music from Vivaldi to contemporary works
Sunday, October 18, 2026 — Villars-les-Dombes
- 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM — "Là le long", compagnie Najico · Lud'Ô Dombes, 673 rue Pierre Poivre · ages 6 months and up · duration 20 minutes
- 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM — "Là le long", second performance · same location
Sunday, November 8, 2026 — Saint-André-de-Corcy
- 5:00 PM — "Jeux d'enfants", compagnie Commun Accord · Atelier 208, 167 allée des sports · ages 5 and up · duration 50 minutes · a duo blending circus arts and acting
Sunday, November 22, 2026 — Relevant
- 5:00 PM — "Un peu perdu", compagnie Conte en Ombres · Salle polyvalente, rue de village · ages 3 and up · shadow theater based on the book by Chris Haughton, accompanied by Hapi Drum
The Communauté de communes de la Dombes announces six shows per edition. The sixth, usually performed in December, has not been announced as of mid-August 2026.
Prices La Ronde des Mots 2026
Practical information — La Ronde des Mots
Practical Information
Venues
Shows take place in six different towns within the Communauté de Communes de la Dombes area. Exact venues are communicated in each edition's programme. Regularly used venues include: the Old Castle of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne, the Abbaye Notre-Dame des Dombes, the ramparts of Saint-Trivier-sur-Moignans.
Tickets
- Opening show: free and open to all
- Adults: 6 euros per show
- Under 12s: free
Booking
Places are limited. Advance booking is recommended on the platform achetezendombes.fr or via Dombes Connect under events.
Contact
- Address: Communauté de Communes de la Dombes, 100 avenue Foch, 01400 Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne
- Phone: 04 28 36 12 12
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.ccdombes.fr
Getting There
By car: Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne is about 45 minutes from Lyon via the A46 then the D936, and 30 minutes from Bourg-en-Bresse via the D936.
Tip: Since performances take place in different towns, check the exact venue for each show in the programme.
La Ronde des Mots: The Touring Festival of the Dombes
Since 2003, La Ronde des Mots has been enchanting families in the Dombes with a rich and magical programme, driven by the Communauté de Communes de la Dombes. This touring festival unfolds each autumn across six towns in the area, bringing quality performances to local communities.
A Festival at the Heart of Dombes Heritage
What makes La Ronde des Mots unique is its deep connection to the local area. Each performance takes place in a different heritage venue: the Old Castle of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne, the Abbaye Notre-Dame des Dombes, the ramparts of Saint-Trivier-sur-Moignans, the Place du Chapitre in Neuville-les-Dames, or the community halls of surrounding villages. This touring approach showcases local heritage while providing a unique setting for each show.
A Programme for All Ages
The festival offers six carefully selected shows, designed for different age groups:
- Shows from 6 months: short, sensory experiences to awaken the very young
- Shows from 3 years: puppetry, musical storytelling and object theatre
- All-audience shows: theatre, storytelling and artistic performances for the whole family
On Sunday afternoons, families gather in community halls and heritage venues to share moments of laughter, magic and poetry.
A Commitment to Cultural Access
La Ronde des Mots is driven by a strong commitment to cultural access for all. The opening show, programmed each year during European Heritage Days in September, is entirely free and open to everyone. Subsequent performances are offered at very accessible rates: 6 euros for adults, free for under-12s.
This pricing policy enables all families in the area to enjoy quality cultural offerings without financial barriers. The festival thus contributes to children's artistic awakening and to the cultural vitality of the Dombes.
Twenty Years of Wonder and Good Cheer
With more than twenty editions to its credit, La Ronde des Mots has become an unmissable fixture of cultural life in the Dombes. Each year, the festival draws a loyal and curious audience, won over by the quality of the guest companies and the warm atmosphere of the performances. The shows blend literature, storytelling, poetry, puppetry and music, offering a varied artistic palette that nourishes the imagination of young and old alike.
The Communauté de Communes de la Dombes thereby affirms its commitment to living culture and artistic transmission, making La Ronde des Mots a true cultural gem at the heart of the Dombes ponds.
Where does it take place — La Ronde des Mots
La Ronde des Mots in brief
History of La Ronde des Mots
Edition 2025 Sep 2025Other festivals near Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne
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