Le Chainon Manquant
Multidisciplinary festival of live performance and emerging stage arts
2026
About Le Chainon Manquant
Le Chainon Manquant — edition 2026
The 35th edition of Le Chainon Manquant takes place from Tuesday, September 15th to Sunday, September 20th, 2026, in Laval: 68 shows across 114 performances in about fifteen venues—Théâtre de Laval, 6PAR4, Scomam, Le Quarante, high school amphitheaters, Jardin de la Perrine, and the Esplanade du Château-Neuf. Theater, dance, comedy, young audience shows, street arts, circus, and music are performed for both the general public and programmers from all over France. Street performances are free, while others range from 7 € to 18 €.
35th edition, from September 15th to 20th, 2026
Le Chainon Manquant returns to Laval from Tuesday, September 15th to Sunday, September 20th, 2026. The Réseau Chainon presents 68 shows across 114 performances, spread across about fifteen partner venues in Laval and Changé: Théâtre de Laval (Rotonde and Salle Barbara Hendricks), 6PAR4, Scomam, Le Quarante, L’Avant-scène, Théâtre Jean Macé, Salle polyvalente, the chapel of Lycée Ambroise Paré, the amphitheaters of Lycées d’Avesnières and Douanier Rousseau, Jardin de la Perrine, Esplanade du Château-Neuf, and Place du 11 novembre.
The selection is the result of scouting conducted throughout the year by network members during the "Région(s) en Scène(s)" events organized from January to March. All seven performing arts disciplines are featured: theater, dance, comedy, music, young audience shows, street arts, and circus arts.
Réseau Chainon has renewed its leadership for this edition, with co-presidents Benoît Betchen and Audrey Levert and the arrival of Antoine Thibaud as co-artistic director, whose discoveries enrich the program.
The festival headquarters is located at the Théâtre de Laval, 34 rue de la Paix: ticket office, information desk, and bar, open from 11:00 AM to midnight, Tuesday through Saturday. Street shows are free starting Tuesday at the Esplanade du Château-Neuf and Place du 11 novembre, then at the Jardin de la Perrine on Saturday and Sunday. The show "Le problème lapin, cartographie 7," scheduled for Wednesday the 16th at L’Avant-scène, has been cancelled.
Highlights Le Chainon Manquant 2026
- 35th edition, from Tuesday, September 15th to Sunday, September 20th, 2026 in Laval
- 68 shows across 114 performances in about fifteen venues
- Souimanga, Celle qui danse: the giant puppet by Compagnie l’Homme debout, Saturday the 19th at 7:30 PM, Place du 11 novembre, free
- Le Lac des Cygnes by L'Éolienne, circus and dance, Friday the 18th at 9:00 PM at the Théâtre de Laval
- Le Chainon Comedy Club hosted by Alexis Le Rossignol, Saturday the 19th at 9:00 PM
- Three concert evenings at 6PAR4 at 9:30 PM: Toma Sidibé and Menoncle Jason on the 16th, Helmut Tellier and Adam El Mouna on the 17th, Zaza Fournier and Ron Artis II on the 18th
- Free weekend at the Jardin de la Perrine: Bouche Bée, La Boutique, Kibi and PopSax!
Programme Le Chainon Manquant 2026
The 35th edition program, published by Réseau Chainon, features 68 shows across 114 performances from Tuesday, September 15th to Sunday, September 20th, 2026. The two prices listed represent the reduced and full rates.
Tuesday, September 15th, 2026
- 9:20 AM, 10:50 AM and 2:00 PM — Train-Train-Blues, Compagnie Les 3 Valoches · Le Quarante – Orchestre · young audiences, theater · 40 min, ages 3+ · 7 € | 9 €
- 9:20 AM and 3:00 PM — Bubble, OBRA · Théâtre Jean Macé · 1h 05min, ages 11+ · 9 €
- 9:45 AM, 11:45 AM, 2:15 PM and 4:20 PM — Parce que les vers n’ont pas besoin de pieds pour s’envoler, Jo Coop Cie · Scomam · young audiences, theater · 25 min, ages 5+ · 7 € | 9 €
- 10:45 AM and 4:30 PM — Candide · 6PAR4 · dance, young audiences, music · 50 min, ages 6+ · 7 € | 9 €
- 10:55 AM and 9:00 PM — Al Alba, Camille et Matthieu Saglio · Lycée Ambroise Paré – Chapelle · music · 1h, ages 10+ · 9 €
- 12:15 PM — Réseau Chainon Meeting · Théâtre de Laval · professionals only
- 1:30 PM — Les Abîmés, Compagnie Le bel après-minuit · Salle polyvalente · young audiences · 1h 10min, ages 8+ · 7 € | 9 €
- 1:30 PM and 6:15 PM — La Demande en mariage, Compagnie Le Commun des Mortels · Le Théâtre de Laval – Rotonde · theater · 1h, ages 12+ · 9 €
- 3:15 PM — Kontact, Puéril Péril · Scomam · circus arts · 50 min, all ages · 9 €
- 4:40 PM — La Manékine, Compagnie La Pendue · Lycée Douanier Rousseau – Amphithéâtre · puppetry, music, theater · 1h 05min, ages 10+ · 9 €
- 6:20 PM — Faire troupeau, Frag · Le Quarante – Auditorium · theater · 1h 20min, ages 12+ · 9 € | 11 €
- 6:30 PM — Magic Big Bôsses, Compagnie Paris Bénarès · Esplanade du Château-Neuf · street arts, puppetry · 1h, all ages · free
- 8:00 PM — Festival Inauguration · Théâtre de Laval
- 9:15 PM — Cloche, Association des Clous · Le Théâtre de Laval – Salle Barbara Hendricks · circus arts, music · 1h, ages 6+ · 11 € | 13 €
- 10:15 PM — DJ set P’tit Fat & Friends · Théâtre de Laval bar · free
Wednesday, September 16th, 2026
- 9:00 AM, 11:40 AM, 1:45 PM and 4:00 PM — Parce que les vers n’ont pas besoin de pieds pour s’envoler, Jo Coop Cie · Scomam · young audiences, theater · 25 min, ages 5+ · 7 € | 9 €
- 9:15 AM, 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM — Petit POP’RON Rouge, Compagnie Gingolph Gateau · Le Quarante – Orchestre · young audiences · 30 min, ages 3+ · 7 € | 9 €
- 9:40 AM and 2:30 PM — Éclipse, Léo Rousselet · Lycée Douanier Rousseau – Amphithéâtre · circus arts · 50 min, ages 7+ · 7 € | 9 €
- 9:45 AM and 2:30 PM — La Ferme des animaux, Caliband Théâtre · Scomam · young audiences, theater · 1h, ages 10+ · 7 € | 9 €
- 11:00 AM and 3:25 PM — Tendre Carcasse, CieF / Arthur Perole · Salle polyvalente · dance · 45 min, ages 13+ · 9 €
- 11:00 AM and 4:40 PM — PLAYBACK FM Vol. 2 (les médias, vous et moi), Les Productions Pour Que Tu M'aimes · Théâtre Jean Macé · theater · 1h 05min, ages 10+ · 9 €
- 11:30 AM, 1:45 PM and 4:30 PM — Cœur de patate, Jeanne Guillou – TOF THEATRE · Le Théâtre de Laval – Rotonde · young audiences, puppetry, theater · 25 min, ages 5+ · 7 € | 9 €
- 12:15 PM — Mayenne Culture Meeting · Théâtre de Laval · professionals only
- 12:20 PM — Kontact, Puéril Péril · Scomam · circus arts · 50 min, all ages · 9 €
- 12:30 PM and 6:00 PM — Anita Farmine · Lycée Ambroise Paré – Chapelle · music · 50 min, all ages · 9 €
- 1:40 PM — La Valse à Mille Signes, Rêve Brut · Lycée d'Avesnières – Amphithéâtre · music, theater · 1h 15min, ages 10+ · 9 €
- 1:40 PM — Le problème lapin, cartographie 7, Vertical Détour – Frédéric Ferrer · L’Avant-scène · theater · cancelled
- 5:15 PM — J’aurais voulu être Jeff Bezos, Collectif P4 · Le Théâtre de Laval – Salle Barbara Hendricks · theater · 1h 15min, ages 10+ · 11 € | 13 €
- 7:00 PM — Mayenne Culture Showcase: Go Nowhere · Théâtre de Laval lobby · free
- 7:00 PM — Federation Reception · Le Quarante – Place du Village · professionals only
- 9:00 PM — Megazilla Bémol, la catastrophe musicale, Mothers in Trouble · Le Quarante – Auditorium · comedy, music, theater · 1h 30min, all ages · 9 € | 11 €
- 9:30 PM and 11:00 PM — Toma Sidibé then Menoncle Jason · 6PAR4 · music · 1h each · 15 € | 18 €
Thursday, September 17th, 2026
- 9:15 AM and 10:45 AM — Nos jours de fêtes, Méli Mélodie · Lycée d'Avesnières – Amphithéâtre · young audiences, music · 35 min, ages 4+ · 7 € | 9 €
- 9:15 AM and 5:00 PM — Léon, Le Quartête · Théâtre Jean Macé · young audiences, puppetry, theater · 45 min, ages 6+ · 7 € | 9 €
- 9:30 AM, 10:40 AM and 3:45 PM — Les Zéboulis, Collectif a.a.O · Scomam · dance, young audiences · 30 min, ages 6 months+ · 7 € | 9 €
- 10:20 AM and 2:00 PM — TOM [Théâtre de l’Opprimé Miniature], Compagnie Donc Y Chocs · Scomam · young audiences, theater · 1h 15min, ages 8+ · 7 € | 9 €
- 10:20 AM and 3:30 PM — L’art d’accommoder les restes, Rocking Chair Théâtre · Le Théâtre de Laval – Rotonde · puppetry, music, theater · 50 min, ages 7+ · 7 € | 9 €
- 11:30 AM and 6:00 PM — Un verre à soi, Collectif sur le Pont · Le Quarante – Orchestre · music, theater · 55 min, ages 13+ · 9 €
- 11:35 AM and 3:40 PM — Traces, Compagnie S'Poart · Salle polyvalente · dance · 50 min, ages 6+ · 7 € | 9 €
- 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM — Notturno, Ode à la nuit, Compagnie La Tramontana · Lycée Ambroise Paré – Chapelle · music · 1h, ages 12+ · 9 €
- 12:30 PM — International Buffet · Théâtre de Laval · professionals only
- 2:00 PM — J’ai plusieurs terres, Compagnie Yaena · Lycée Douanier Rousseau – Amphithéâtre · theater · 1h, ages 11+ · 9 €
- 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM — Rendre à César, Collectif Madame Suzie · L’Avant-scène · music, theater · 1h 15min, ages 10+ · 9 € | 11 €
- 7:00 PM — Mayenne Culture Showcase: Taraf Al Kasbah · Théâtre de Laval lobby · free
- 7:15 PM — Ingrid St-Pierre · Le Quarante · music · 1h, all ages · 9 € | 11 €
- 9:15 PM — Jeux de Massacre, Compagnie Les 2 Apaches · Le Théâtre de Laval – Salle Barbara Hendricks · theater · 1h 20min, ages 12+ · 11 € | 13 €
- 9:30 PM and 11:00 PM — Helmut Tellier then Adam El Mouna · 6PAR4 · music · 1h each · 15 € | 18 €
Friday, September 18th, 2026
- 9:15 AM and 2:30 PM — Looking for Antigone, Compagnie des Mutants · Lycée d'Avesnières – Amphithéâtre · theater · 1h, ages 12+ · 9 €
- 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM — Toi M’aimes !, La Bicaudale · Théâtre Jean Macé · circus arts, young audiences · 35 min, ages 1+ · 7 € | 9 €
- 10:15 AM and 4:00 PM — Biographies, Compagnie Ea Eo · Scomam · circus arts · 1h, ages 12+ · 9 €
- 10:40 AM and 2:30 PM — The Récital, Joe Sature et ses joyeux osselets · Le Théâtre de Laval – Rotonde · comedy, theater · 55 min, ages 7+ · 9 €
- 11:50 AM and 5:20 PM — The Great Chevalier, Ballet National Folklorique du Luxembourg · Lycée Ambroise Paré – Chapelle · dance · 50 min, ages 10+ · 9 €
- 12:00 PM and 7:30 PM — Ce que j’appelle oubli, JUNCTiO · Lycée Douanier Rousseau – Amphithéâtre · theater · 1h 15min, ages 14+ · 9 €
- 1:00 PM and 7:35 PM — Le Peuple Migrateur, Najim Ziani · L’Avant-scène · comedy · 1h 10min, ages 10+ · 9 € | 11 €
- 4:00 PM — Fora, Compagnie Ar · Salle polyvalente · circus arts · 50 min, ages 8+ · 7 € | 9 €
- 5:15 PM — Les Mécanos · Le Quarante – Auditorium · music · 1h, all ages · 9 € | 11 €
- 6:30 PM — Masacrade, Marcel et ses Drôles de Femmes · Esplanade du Château-Neuf · street arts, circus arts · 50 min, all ages · free
- 7:00 PM — Mayenne Culture Showcase: Bloodflower · Théâtre de Laval lobby · free
- 9:00 PM — Le Lac des Cygnes, L'Éolienne · Le Théâtre de Laval – Salle Barbara Hendricks · circus arts, dance · 1h 20min, ages 7+ · 11 € | 13 €
- 9:30 PM and 11:00 PM — Zaza Fournier then Ron Artis II · 6PAR4 · music · 1h each · 15 € | 18 €
Saturday, September 19th, 2026
- 9:30 AM and 1:00 PM — Les disparu·es de Nantes, Nicolas Bonneau et Sylvain GirO · Le Théâtre de Laval – Rotonde · music, theater · 1h 10min, ages 14+ · 9 €
- 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM — Le Petit Frankenstein, Compagnie Intermezzo · Le Quarante – Auditorium · young audiences, music · 1h, ages 8+ · 7 € | 9 €
- 11:00 AM — Paris qui dort, La Compagnie Tangram · L’Avant-scène · film-concert, music · 1h 05min, ages 7+ · 9 €
- 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM — Bouche Bée, Compagnie Répète un peu pour voir · Jardin de la Perrine · music · 1h, ages 6+ · free
- 1:00 PM and 4:15 PM — La Boutique, Collectif Un Cétacé · Jardin de la Perrine · street arts, theater · 45 min, ages 6+ · free
- 2:00 PM and 5:15 PM — Kibi, Lève Un Peu Les Bras · Jardin de la Perrine · street arts, storytelling, dance · 45 min, all ages · free
- 4:30 PM — Parler Flamenco, Compagnie Rediviva – Stéphanie Fuster · L’Avant-scène · dance, theater · 50 min, ages 8+ · 9 €
- 6:00 PM — Libre Arbitre, Jean-Benoît Diallo · Lycée d'Avesnières – Amphithéâtre · comedy · 1h 15min, ages 12+ · 11 € | 13 €
- 6:15 PM — Masacrade, Marcel et ses Drôles de Femmes · Esplanade du Château-Neuf · street arts, circus arts · 50 min, all ages · free
- 7:30 PM — Souimanga, Celle qui danse, Compagnie l'Homme debout · Place du 11 novembre · street arts, puppetry · 1h 15min, all ages · free
- 9:00 PM — Le Chainon Comedy Club · Le Théâtre de Laval – Salle Barbara Hendricks · Alexis Le Rossignol as MC, with Mélodie Fontaine, Kevin Robin, Morgane Meli and Jules Robin, 15 min each · ages 14+ · 15 € | 18 €
- 10:30 PM — DJ set Tibo b2b Jean-Paul Grouve · Théâtre de Laval bar · free
Sunday, September 20th, 2026
- 2:00 PM — Go Nowhere · 6PAR4 · music · 45 min, all ages · free with reservation
- 2:15 PM and 4:00 PM — PopSax!, Conservatoire de Laval Agglo · Jardin de la Perrine · music · 30 min, all ages · free
- 3:00 PM — La Boutique, Collectif Un Cétacé · Jardin de la Perrine · street arts, theater · 45 min, ages 6+ · free
- 4:45 PM — Kibi, Lève Un Peu Les Bras · Jardin de la Perrine · street arts, storytelling, dance · 45 min, all ages · free
- 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM — Taraf Al Kasbah then Bloodflower · 6PAR4 · music · 45 min each · free with reservation
Ongoing
- The festival bar at the Théâtre de Laval is open from 11:00 AM to midnight, Tuesday through Saturday.
- On-site ticket office in the Théâtre de Laval lobby, 34 rue de la Paix, from September 15th to 19th.
Prices Le Chainon Manquant 2026
Practical information — Le Chainon Manquant
Practical Information
Festival Headquarters
The reception, box office, and festival bar are located at the Théâtre de Laval, 34 rue de la Paix, a 12-minute walk from the train station. The lobby is open Tuesday from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM, Wednesday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The bar, run by the associations Party Teuf, Sur Un Plateau, and Zéro Tapage, is open from 11:00 AM to midnight, Tuesday through Saturday. It hosts free Mayenne Culture showcases on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and free afterparties on Tuesday and Saturday starting at 10:30 PM. The 6PAR4 bar opens on concert nights.
Getting to Laval
By train: 1h 30m from Paris, 2h 30m from Roissy, 3h 45m from Lyon, 3h 45m from Lille, 40m from Rennes, 1h 15m from Angers. The "forfait multi" allows 5 people to travel unlimitedly for 1 or 2 days, costing between €30 and €45.
By car: via the A11, 2h 30m from Paris, 1h from Rennes, 1h 10m from Angers, 2h 10m from Caen, 1h from Le Mans. Park-and-ride facilities are available on the outskirts; please check the last bus return times.
Getting around
Most venues are in the city center and within walking distance. TUL buses are free on Saturdays and Sundays, as are the Vélitul self-service bicycles. A free shuttle serves the Théâtre Jean Macé, Le Quarante, L'Avant-Scène, the Salle polyvalente, and Village Boston. In the evening, the Noctul service provides transport to Bonchamp-lès-Laval, Changé, L'Huisserie, Louverné, Saint-Berthevin, and Laval neighborhoods on Fridays and Saturdays at 9:00 PM, 10:00 PM, and 11:00 PM departing from the TUL station; an additional shuttle departs at midnight after the Chainon Comedy Club.
Tickets and Pricing
From €7 to €18 depending on the show; prices are indicated on each program entry. Reduced rates are available upon presentation of proof for students, job seekers, RSA beneficiaries, and those under 18. Street performances and showcases are free.
Tickets can be purchased online at billetterie.lechainon.fr until showtime, at the Laval Agglomération Tourist Office (84 avenue Robert Buron, Monday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM), and during the festival in the Théâtre de Laval lobby. On-site, box offices open only for evening performances at the Théâtre de Laval and 6PAR4, one hour before the show starts. Payment via credit card, check, cash, Chèque Culture, and Pass Culture; tickets are reserved for 15-18 year-olds on the Pass Culture app. Seating is unreserved, tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, and entry is not permitted once the show has begun.
Accessibility
The online program highlights accessible shows with two filters: "visual, no dialogue" and "audio, little visual." Detailed information is available on the festival website's accessibility page.
Accommodation
Hotels, bed and breakfasts, gîtes, and campsites: information available from the Laval Agglomération Tourist Office, 84 avenue Robert Buron, 53000 Laval, +33 (0)2 43 49 46 46, www.laval-tourisme.com.
Volunteering and Accreditation
Around 250 volunteers help run the festival each year, from technical work to catering and guest services; sign up via the volunteering page on the website. Performing arts professionals can request accreditation on the dedicated page.
Mobile App
The festival offers a free app (App Store, Google Play) featuring the program, venue maps, and last-minute updates.
Contact
Réseau Chainon — Espace Scomam, 4 rue de l'Ermitage, 53000 Laval. Phone: +33 (0)2 43 56 01 29. Box office: [email protected], +33 (0)6 73 81 09 84. Communication: [email protected]. Official website: lechainon.fr.
A festival born to connect artists with programmers
The Réseau Chainon was founded in the mid-1980s, when venue managers gathered with two goals: to scout new talent and to circulate shows through a fair, solidarity-based, and short-circuit network. Eleven years later, in 1991, the network created the Festival du Chainon Manquant to fill a gap in the French cultural landscape: a platform where companies could present their work to presenters, and where presenters could discover new talent.
Over six days, the festival hosts more than 65 shows across twenty venues in the Laval Agglomération area. These performances then go on tour through the Réseau Chainon, resulting in over 1,200 performances per year across France, making the Chainon one of the country's leading presenters.
Seven disciplines, a snapshot of creation
The program covers the seven major performing arts disciplines: dance, theater, comedy, music, young audiences, street arts, and circus arts. It is built upon the "Région(s) en Scène(s)," professional viewing days organized from January to March in various regions by network members. Alongside the Festival d'Avignon, the Chainon is one of the only French festivals to cover such a wide diversity of disciplines.
A performing arts marketplace
The festival is also a professional gathering: programmers, venue directors, agents, and producers come from all over France to curate part of their upcoming seasons. Network meetings, networking events, and professional buffets are scheduled alongside the performances open to the public.
In Laval, with 250 volunteers
The festival takes over Laval's city center: the Théâtre de Laval serves as the headquarters, alongside the 6PAR4, Scomam, Le Quarante, L'Avant-scène, Théâtre Jean Macé, the Salle polyvalente, the amphitheaters and chapel of three high schools, as well as the Jardin de la Perrine, the Château-Neuf esplanade, and the Place du 11 novembre for street performances. Around 250 volunteers contribute each year, helping with everything from technical support and front-of-house to catering.
The Réseau Chainon also organizes the "Prologue du Chainon" in partnership with Laval Agglomération and the Mayenne department: an artistic circuit that allows residents to rediscover shows seen in previous editions at venues near their homes.
Where does it take place — Le Chainon Manquant
Le Chainon Manquant in brief
History of Le Chainon Manquant
Edition 2025 Sep 2025Other festivals near Laval
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