Lèche-Vitrines
Street theatre performance in the streets of Alençon
2026
About Lèche-Vitrines
Lèche-Vitrines — edition 2026
Lèche-Vitrines 2026 takes place from July 22 to 26 in Alençon. It's a street theatre wandering show created by the Bleu 202 company, which takes over the city centre streets every evening of the last week of July.
An unmissable summer event in Alençon, Lèche-Vitrines is a free theatrical wandering show presented by the Bleu 202 company. The show is developed over three weeks of creation, bringing together around thirty trainees (theatre and dance) supervised by professional artists, then performed in public spaces.
The 2026 edition marks the arrival of the new artistic director Guillaume Cardineau and the invitation of the Les Grandes Personnes collective: trainees learn, among other things, to manipulate giant puppets several meters high, integrated into the wandering show in the streets of Alençon.
Highlights Lèche-Vitrines 2026
- Wandering street theatre show, entirely free
- New artistic direction 2026: Guillaume Cardineau (Bleu 202 company)
- Giant puppets manipulated by trainees, in partnership with the Les Grandes Personnes collective
- Five evenings of performances in the city centre
Prices Lèche-Vitrines 2026
Practical information — Lèche-Vitrines
Getting to Alençon
By car: Alençon is accessible via the N12 from Paris (approx. 2h30) and the N138 from Caen (approx. 1h30). From Le Mans, take the N138 (approx. 1h). From Rennes, take the A84 then the N12 (approx. 2h). Parking is available in the town center, notably the underground parking at Place Foch and surface parking around the historic center. Some parking is free in the evening from 7 PM.
By train: Alençon station is served by TER Normandie from Paris-Saint-Lazare (approx. 2h journey) and from Caen (approx. 1h30). The town center, where the walking performance takes place, is only a 10-minute walk from the station. Follow Rue de la Gare then Grande Rue to reach the performance route.
Performance Route
Lèche-Vitrines is a walking performance that travels through the streets of Alençon's town center. The procession starts from a meeting point announced in the program and goes through the pedestrian streets, squares, and passages of the historic center. The audience follows the procession along its route. The starting point and itinerary vary each evening. Information is provided on the Alençon town website and on display boards in the town center.
Schedule
The performance takes place from Tuesday to Saturday of the last week of July, in the early evening (generally between 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM for the start). Each performance lasts approximately 1h to 1h30. It is recommended to arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the announced departure.
Prices
The performance is completely free and outdoors. No booking is necessary. Simply join the procession at the starting point or along the way.
Special Offers from Merchants
During the Lèche-Vitrines week, town center merchants offer special deals, sales, and events in their shops. A market of local producers and creators is also set up, offering local Norman products and artisanal creations.
Practical Tips
As the performance takes place outdoors and involves movement, bring comfortable shoes and light clothing or an umbrella depending on the weather. The route follows the cobbled streets of the historic center.
Contact
Ville d'Alençon
Website: www.alencon.fr
Compagnie Bleu 202
Lèche-Vitrines: Street Theatre Enchants Alençon
Every last week of July, the city of Alençon hosts Lèche-Vitrines, a unique artistic event. Led by the compagnie Bleu 202, this street theatre festival transforms the town center into an open-air stage where theatre, music, dance, and festive parades blend together.
From Window Sketches to Walking Performances
In its early days, Lèche-Vitrines featured short plays performed in the windows of Alençon's merchants, combining theatre and commerce in an original concept. Over the years, the event has evolved into a true walking performance, an artistic procession that travels through the streets of the town center in the early evening for five consecutive days.
Five Evenings of Live Performance
From Tuesday to Saturday, in the late afternoon, professionals and amateurs gather to present a walking performance combining:
- Street Theatre: comedic, poetic, and quirky scenes
- Live Music: brass bands, street musicians, singers
- Dance: outdoor choreography
- Circus Arts: juggling, acrobatics, stilt walking
The procession leads the audience on an artistic journey through the pedestrian streets and squares of Alençon's historic center.
An Event Linked to Local Commerce
Lèche-Vitrines maintains its original connection with local commerce. During the festival, town center merchants offer special deals and promotions. A market of local producers and creators also complements the offerings, blending local culture and economy in a festive and friendly atmosphere.
Alençon Celebrates Summer
Lèche-Vitrines is part of the "Alençon fête l'été" program, which offers shows, festivals, and entertainment throughout the summer season in the prefecture of Orne. The event contributes to the animation of the town center and the enhancement of Alençon's urban heritage, a city known for its Alençon lace, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Where does it take place — Lèche-Vitrines
Lèche-Vitrines in brief
History of Lèche-Vitrines
Edition 2025 Jul 2025Other festivals near Alençon
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