La Route du Sirque – Multi-Pistes

La Route du Sirque: Thirty Years of Circus in Nexon

The Nexon circus adventure began in 1987 when Annie Fratellini, captivated by the 17th-century château and its 38.5-hectare park, convinced the municipality to host the first international circus arts workshops. In 1992, the festival Les Arts à la rencontre du Cirque was born, which would become La Route du Sirque, a key event for contemporary circus in France.

Multi-Pistes: A New Era

Since the arrival of director Martin Palisse in 2014, the festival has taken a resolutely contemporary turn. Renamed Multi-Pistes, it blends contemporary circus, current music, and visual arts. The festival unfolds under the Vaisseau, a permanent 400-seat tent inaugurated in 2021, as well as on the esplanade and in the park of the Château de Nexon.

A Demanding and Accessible Program

Each edition features about ten circus shows—acrobatics, juggling, Chinese pole, German wheel—accompanied by concerts, introductory workshops, tournaments, and artist meet-and-greets. Le Sirque, a National Circus Center since 2011, prioritizes the emergence of new forms and the discovery of companies in residence. The festival welcomes approximately 15,000 spectators each year in a friendly and family atmosphere.

An Exceptional Heritage Setting

The park of the Château de Nexon, with its ancient oak trees and Annie-Fratellini square, offers a unique natural setting for performing arts. Performances are held under tents, in the hall (Georges-Méliès space), and outdoors, creating an immersive experience where the magic of the circus dialogues with the beauty of the Limousin landscape.