Les DévéRouillé

Les DévéRouillé: When the village of Rouillé becomes the stage

Since 2016, the Les DévéRouillé festival has been transforming the village of Rouillé, a peaceful commune in Vienne located between Poitiers and Niort, into a true open-air theatre. Born from the desire of the municipality and local enthusiasts to bring street arts to rural areas, this free and festive event has become, in just a few editions, a major cultural event in southern Vienne, driven by an increasingly ambitious program and a loyal and growing audience.

An eclectic and quirky program

Each edition of Les DévéRouillé stands out for the diversity and originality of its program. The festival highlights contemporary circus with burlesque trampoline acts, aerial circus, and magic, while also hosting street bands like Fanfare Skyzophonik or Le Cri du Chapeau, who lead the audience through the village streets. Clown shows, object theatre, and slam dance performances are presented alongside quirky concerts like "Franchement Ta Gueule" by Cie Artifis, a wild mix of hits from the 60s to the 2000s. The festival also features equestrian shows combining dressage, acrobatics, and fire arts, in partnership with Artistic Dream, an equestrian company based in Rouillé itself, which offers a magical evening show at the municipal stadium.

Iconic locations brought to life by artists

The originality of Les DévéRouillé also lies in how the festival utilizes the village's various spaces. The old silo, located near the train station, hosts graffiti performances and concerts. The church square transforms into a stage for aerial circus and variety shows. The Place d'Apach hosts burlesque magic acts, while the municipal stadium serves as the backdrop for the evening equestrian shows. Companies parade through the streets, creating an artistic trail through the village that invites spectators to stroll and discover.

A popular and friendly event

True to its family-friendly and accessible spirit, the festival is completely free. On-site catering and a craft refreshment stand accompany spectators throughout the weekend, while wooden games run by Le Grenier des Gobelins entertain both young and old between performances. Over the years, Les DévéRouillé has hosted companies from all over France: Cie Carte Blanche Production from Poitiers, Cliq'en l'air Circus, Les Recycleurs du Son from Parthenay, Cie Madam'Kanibal, Cie La Baleine-cargo, and the Chiccorini family. This human-scale festival perfectly embodies the richness of rural cultural life and the dynamism of the Rouillé commune.