Les Échappées Belles

Les Échappées Belles: the city of Alençon on stage

For nearly thirty years, the festival Les Échappées Belles has animated the city of Alençon every summer, transforming public space into a vast open-air theater. Organized by the City of Alençon with the support of the Department of Orne, this performing arts festival has become an essential cultural event of the Norman summer.

A multidisciplinary outdoor festival

Les Échappées Belles offers a rich and varied program mixing theater, dance, contemporary circus, music, and street arts. The 2025 edition, the 28th of its name, featured 14 shows, 2 artistic installations, and 1 practical workshop, taking over the streets, gardens, squares, and courtyards of the "cité des Ducs" for five days of artistic discoveries.

The city as a natural backdrop

One of the festival's originalities is the use of Alençon's architectural heritage as a natural backdrop for the shows. Artists take over emblematic places in the city: historic squares, public gardens, inner courtyards, and pedestrian streets become ephemeral stages where performances can emerge at every street corner.

Musical evenings to close

Each day of the festival concludes with an evening concert offering a varied panorama of current music. The 2025 edition featured jazz and pop evenings with Ana Kap, pop with The Songwriters, folk and French chanson by Patakes, Balkan trip-hop with Lautarescu, and the songs of Cyrarno du Pâtelain.

A festival accessible to all

Les Échappées Belles stands out for its very accessible pricing policy: admission is free for children aged 0-12, €3 for 13-18 year olds, and €4 for adults. This financial accessibility, combined with the diversity of artistic offerings, makes the festival a truly popular and family-friendly event.

A highlight of the Alençon summer

From Wednesday to Sunday, the festival sets the rhythm of life in the city of Alençon and attracts a loyal audience composed of families, performing arts enthusiasts, and curious visitors eager to discover original and surprising artistic forms in an exceptional heritage setting.