Le Mans fait son Cirque
Contemporary circus celebration in Le Mans
About Le Mans Cirque
Created in 2002 by Le Plongeoir, National Circus Center of Le Mans, the Le Mans fait son Cirque festival offers an annual snapshot of contemporary circus creation, from the most intimate to the most spectacular. For eleven days, the Newton promenade and the tents of Le Mans host around twenty circus shows, concerts, and professional meetings. With over 27,000 spectators in 2025, the festival has established itself as a major event in the French circus season, celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary in 2026.
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Book your train or bus to reach Le Mans Cirque at the best price.
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Le Mans fait son Cirque: Twenty-Five Years of Circus Creation
Since 2002, the Le Mans fait son Cirque festival has offered an annual panorama of contemporary circus creation. Organized by Le Plongeoir, National Circus Center of Le Mans, in partnership with the City of Le Mans, this event has become one of the most anticipated circus events in France over the years.
A Festival Between Tents and Stars
For eleven days, the Newton promenade in Le Mans transforms into a true circus village. Seven tents host around twenty circus shows, concerts, and activities for all audiences. From flying trapeze to aerial acrobatics, from juggling to circus dance, from contemporary clowning to contortion, the festival embraces the full diversity of today's circus arts.
A Springboard for Creation
Le Mans fait son Cirque stands out for its commitment to contemporary creation. Each edition features world premieres and original creations, offering companies a privileged platform and the public a first look at new shows. The festival also hosts professional meetings and training sessions in partnership with higher education circus schools.
Le Plongeoir: A National Center for Circus Arts
The festival is driven by Le Plongeoir, one of the twelve national circus centers in France. Located at 6 boulevard Winston Churchill in Le Mans, Le Plongeoir works year-round on residencies, creation, and dissemination for contemporary circus. The festival is the highlight of its season, concentrating the creative energy of dozens of companies from all over France and abroad into a few days.
A Popular and Accessible Festival
With very affordable prices—most shows are offered between 5 and 12 EUR, and many performances are free—Le Mans fait son Cirque cultivates a popular and family-friendly approach to contemporary circus. The 2025 edition broke an all-time attendance record with over 27,600 spectators, confirming the festival's strong presence in the cultural landscape of Le Mans.
2026: An Anniversary Edition in May
For the first time, the festival will be held in May (from the 20th to the 31st), instead of June as in previous editions. This calendar change, linked to the constraints of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and summer weather conditions, will allow the festival to celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary under the best circumstances.
Le Mans Cirque — edition 2026
The 25th anniversary edition of the Le Mans fait son Cirque festival will take place from May 20 to 31, 2026, for the first time in May. Around twenty contemporary circus shows are announced on the Newton promenade and in partner venues. Program and ticketing available from March 16, 2026.
25th Edition — The Anniversary in May
The Le Mans fait son Cirque festival celebrates its 25th anniversary from May 20 to 31, 2026. For the first time, the festival is held in May, offering an ideal spring setting for discovering contemporary circus outdoors.
One Show Announced
Among the shows already unveiled: Immaqaa, ici peut-être, which follows Mathurin Bolze and his acrobatic accomplices on an aerial and poetic expedition into the heart of the ice pack.
The full program and ticketing have been available since March 16, 2026, on the Le Plongeoir website. The anniversary edition promises surprises while retaining the formula that has made recent editions successful.
Prices Le Mans Cirque 2026
Practical information — Le Mans Cirque
Practical Information
Access
By car: Le Plongeoir is located at 6 boulevard Winston Churchill, 72100 Le Mans, near the city center. Access from the southern ring road, direction center.
By tram: From Le Mans station, take tram T1 direction Antarès, stop Éperon or Promenade Newton.
By train: Le Mans station (TGV from Paris Montparnasse in 55 min).
Prices
Very affordable prices:
- Paid shows: from 5 to 12 EUR
- Free shows: numerous, outdoors on the Newton promenade
Ticketing
Online booking at leplongeoir-cirque.fr.
Contact
Le Plongeoir — Pôle national Cirque Le Mans
6 boulevard Winston Churchill, 72100 Le Mans
Tel: 02 43 47 45 54
Email: [email protected]
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Le Mans Cirque at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Le Mans Cirque
Le Plongeoir — Promenade Newton
6 boulevard Winston Churchill, 72100 Le Mans