Les Férus

Les Férus: The Street Arts Festival That Makes Charlieu Vibrate

Since 1999, the Les Férus festival has taken over the streets, squares, and parks of Charlieu and its neighboring towns to offer the public a unique encounter with street arts. Produced by the MJC of Charlieu, this non-profit, volunteer-run festival was born from the desire of a group of enthusiasts to showcase the richness of live outdoor performances in the heart of northern Loire.

A Traveling Festival Across Four Towns

One of Les Férus's distinctive features is its traveling nature. Each edition begins in the surrounding villages — Sevelinges, Belmont-de-la-Loire, and Pouilly-sous-Charlieu — before converging on Charlieu for a grand festive weekend. Performances unfold in the streets, village squares, parks, and even in front of the Benedictine Abbey of Charlieu, transforming the area into a vast open-air theater.

A Multidisciplinary Program for All Audiences

Les Férus offers five days of circus, dance, theater, music, and parades for a family and intergenerational audience. The program highlights professional performing arts companies: acrobatics, clowning, physical theater, brass bands, DJ sets, visual magic, and choreographic performances follow one another in a festive and friendly atmosphere. Among the regularly invited companies are Cie La Tête sur les Étoiles with its show Iso 360, Collectif Xanadou, Cie Émergente, 126 Kilos, Clown Lotto, and Cie en Chantier(s).

A Free and Popular Festival

True to its values of accessibility and sharing, Les Férus is a free festival, operating on a 'hat' contribution system (voluntary donations). This free access allows all families to enjoy the shows without financial constraints. Refreshments and light food are available on-site at each festival stop. In case of bad weather, a backup indoor venue is planned to ensure the smooth running of the performances.

Strong Territorial Roots

Organized every two years in odd-numbered years, Les Férus alternates since 2014 with Les Férires, a comedy festival also run by the MJC of Charlieu. This biennial rhythm allows the team of volunteers and staff of the MJC — which has over 800 members and 24 permanent employees — to prepare each edition with care. The festival benefits from the support of local authorities and the Department of the Loire, and contributes to the cultural and tourist influence of the Charlieu-Belmont region.