Les Fous Rires du Château
Comedy festival at the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire
About Fous Rires du Château
Created in 2022 by Saint-Étienne comedian Philippe Ayanian and the teams from Comédie Triomphe, a Saint-Étienne comedy club, the Les Fous Rires du Château festival has become a must-attend summer event in the Loire region. Every summer, for a month, the amphitheater of the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire, set against the exceptional backdrop of the Gorges de la Loire, hosts a family-friendly comedy festival blending humor, stand-up, theater, improvisation, and music. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, shows for young audiences at 6 PM and shows for all audiences at 8:30 PM are offered, performed exclusively by companies and comedians from the Loire and Rhône-Alpes regions. Organized by the association AVS (Arts Vivants Stéphanois) in partnership with Comédie Triomphe, the festival attracts nearly a thousand spectators each year in a friendly and festive atmosphere, with a bar and light catering provided by Les Amis de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire.
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Les Fous Rires du Château: A Month of Laughter in the Heart of the Gorges de la Loire
Since 2022, the Les Fous Rires du Château festival has transformed the amphitheater of the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire into an open-air temple of laughter. Nestled in the majestic setting of the Gorges de la Loire, this summer comedy festival offers, every Tuesday and Wednesday from mid-July to mid-August, a rich and varied program blending humor, stand-up, theater, improvisation, and musical comedy shows.
A Festival Born from a Passion for Laughter
The festival was born from the initiative of Philippe Ayanian, a comedian from Saint-Étienne, and the teams from Comédie Triomphe, a well-known comedy club in Saint-Étienne. Their ambition: to offer a month of family entertainment in an exceptional historical setting, highlighting local and regional talents. Under the artistic direction of Marilyn Lattard, also an actress, the festival has built a loyal and growing audience, expanding from a few evenings at its creation to a program of nearly twenty shows by its fourth edition.
Two Time Slots, Two Ambiences
Each festival evening offers two show time slots:
- 6 PM — Young Audience Shows (ages 4 and up): Interactive shows lasting 45 to 50 minutes where children participate and experience the adventure with the artists. Magic, storytelling, puppetry, clowning, and fantasy adventures are on the program.
- 8:30 PM — All Audience Shows: Comedies, stand-up, improvisation, musical comedy shows, and comedic plays performed by actors and companies from the Loire and Rhône-Alpes regions.
An Exceptional Heritage Setting
The Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire, overlooking the Gorges de la Loire, provides a unique setting for open-air performances. The semi-covered amphitheater of the castle, surrounded by century-old gardens and medieval towers, allows spectators to enjoy the shows in an atmosphere that is both intimate and grand. From the terrace, visitors can admire the panorama of the gorges and the nearby Château d'Essalois.
Friendliness and Sharing
From 4:30 PM, the bar run by Les Amis de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire allows spectators to gather for a drink and snacks with friends before the shows. This friendly atmosphere, combining picnics, aperitifs, and live performances, is an integral part of the festival's identity.
Fous Rires du Château — edition 2026
The 5th edition of the Les Fous Rires du Château festival will be held in the summer of 2026 at the amphitheater of the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire. True to its formula, the festival will offer, every Tuesday and Wednesday from mid-July to mid-August, young audience shows at 6 PM and all-audience shows at 8:30 PM, blending comedies, stand-up, improvisation, and musical comedy shows in the exceptional setting of the Gorges de la Loire.
5th Edition — Summer 2026
The Les Fous Rires du Château festival returns for its 5th edition in the summer of 2026. The amphitheater of the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire will once again host a month of comedies, humor, and family shows in the majestic setting of the Gorges de la Loire.
True to the successful formula, the festival will offer every Tuesday and Wednesday:
- 6 PM: Young audience shows (ages 4 and up) — magic, interactive storytelling, clowning, and adventures
- 8:30 PM: All audience shows — comedies, stand-up, improvisation, and musical comedy shows
The full program, including show and artist names, will be unveiled in spring 2026 on the festival's official website. As every year, the shows will be performed by companies and comedians from the Loire region and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
The bar and light catering, provided by Les Amis de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire, will be available from 4:30 PM each festival evening.
Programme Fous Rires du Château 2026
2026 Program
The program for the 5th edition will be announced in spring 2026. As every year, the festival will offer:
- Young Audience Shows (6 PM): approximately 9 interactive shows for children aged 4 and up (magic, storytelling, clowning, adventures)
- All Audience Shows (8:30 PM): approximately 10 comedies, stand-up shows, improvisation, and musical comedy shows
Full program and ticketing available at lesfousriresduchateau.fr
Highlights Fous Rires du Château 2026
To Note for 2026
- 5th edition of the Les Fous Rires du Château festival
- From mid-July to mid-August 2026, every Tuesday and Wednesday
- Young audience shows at 6 PM and all-audience shows at 8:30 PM
- Amphitheater of the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire, in the Gorges de la Loire
- Bar and catering from 4:30 PM
- Full program coming soon on lesfousriresduchateau.fr
Prices Fous Rires du Château 2026
Practical information — Fous Rires du Château
Practical Information
Access
By car: The Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire is located about 10 km west of Saint-Étienne. From Saint-Étienne, take the direction of Saint-Victor-sur-Loire via the D25. Free parking near the castle.
By public transport: The village of Saint-Victor-sur-Loire is served by the STAS network (bus line from Saint-Étienne).
Times
Bar opens: from 4:30 PM
Young Audience Shows: 6 PM (duration: 45 to 50 minutes, ages 4 and up)
All Audience Shows: 8:30 PM
Performances every Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival.
Prices
- Adult: €15
- Child (3-12 years): €10
- Free for children under 3
Ticketing
Online booking on the official website lesfousriresduchateau.fr. Tickets available on-site on the evening of the shows, subject to availability.
Catering
Bar and light catering provided by Les Amis de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire, from 4:30 PM. Picnics are welcome in the castle gardens.
Contact
Phone: 06 15 87 41 80
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.lesfousriresduchateau.fr
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Where does it take place — Fous Rires du Château
Amphithéâtre du Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire
Allée des Remparts, 42230 Saint-Victor-sur-Loire