La Ronde des Mots in Dombes

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.