Le Grand Saut

Over 25 Years of Circus in the Heart of Parmelan

The Le Grand Saut festival is part of a long history of over twenty-five years of cultural events centered around circus and street arts in the Parmelan district of Annecy. Under various names over the years — Fête des Arts du cirque, Par là au travers, Le Grand Bain, Temps fort cirque de Ah ! La belle saison — the event has always had the same ambition: to highlight circus and gesture arts in a popular and festive spirit.

For the past four years, the festival has been named Le Grand Saut, a nod to the vertigo and audacity inherent in circus arts. It is supported by volunteers and professionals from the Centre Social et Culturel du Parmelan, who make this event a gathering moment for the entire neighborhood and beyond.

Professional Contemporary Circus Companies

Each edition of Le Grand Saut features approximately five shows by professional contemporary circus companies. The artists offer diverse performances — acrobatics, juggling, trapeze, balancing, tightrope walking, clowning, aerial theater — blending technical prowess, poetry, and humor. The programming favors contemporary creation and showcases artists who are reinventing today's circus.

The shows take place outdoors in the public spaces of the Parmelan district, transforming streets, squares, and gardens into open-air circus rings. Admission is free and open to all.

Workshops and Activities for the Whole Family

Beyond the professional shows, Le Grand Saut offers discovery workshops in circus arts for all ages. Children and adults can try their hand at juggling, acrobatics, tightrope walking, or trapeze in a welcoming and supervised environment. Festive activities, games, and convivial spaces complete the program, creating a warm neighborhood festival atmosphere.

A Growing Festival

In 2025, the festival reached a milestone by extending over two days — May 17th and 18th — offering more shows, emotions, and surprises. This evolution reflects the festival's dynamism and the loyalty of its audience, who come each year in ever-increasing numbers to celebrate circus arts in the heart of Annecy.