Les Fous Rires du Château
Comedy festival at the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire
About Fous Rires du Château
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 festival Les Fous Rires du Château will take place from July 15 to August 12, 2026 at the amphitheater of the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, the festival offers shows for young audiences at 6 PM (from 4 years old) and shows for all audiences at 8:30 PM, mixing comedies, magic, one-man shows, improvisation, and humorous musical performances in the exceptional setting of the Gorges de la Loire.
5th edition — July 15 to August 12, 2026
The festival Les Fous Rires du Château returns for its 5th edition in summer 2026, from July 15 to August 12. The amphitheater of the Château de Saint-Victor-sur-Loire once again hosts a month of comedies, humor, magic, and family shows in the majestic setting of the Gorges de la Loire.
Shows take place every Tuesday and Wednesday:
- 6 PM: shows for young audiences (from 4 years old) — magic, clown, tales and adventures (8 shows)
- 8:30 PM: shows for all audiences — comedies, one-man shows, improvisation, and humorous musical performances (9 shows)
The shows are performed by companies and comedians from the Ligérian territories and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. A friendly gathering is offered before and after the shows from 4:30 PM to have a drink and a snack with friends.
Programme Fous Rires du Château 2026
Program 2026 — July 15 to August 12
Shows on Tuesdays and Wednesdays: young audiences at 6 PM (from 4 years old), all audiences at 8:30 PM.
- Tue July 15 — 8:30 PM: Show Time Comedy
- Tue July 21 — 6 PM: Les Magiciens du Monde (young audience)
- Tue July 21 — 8:30 PM: Vous pouvez embrasser la mariée
- Wed July 22 — 6 PM: Les Jumeaux Magiciens dans Double Je (young audience)
- Wed July 22 — 8:30 PM: Qu'est-ce qu'on bouffe
- Tue July 28 — 6 PM: Gauthier le Clown (young audience)
- Tue July 28 — 8:30 PM: Une de perdue, dix à trouver !
- Wed July 29 — 6 PM: Thibaut Del Corral dans Les Apprentis Magiciens (young audience)
- Wed July 29 — 8:30 PM: Blabla-cons
- Tue August 4 — 6 PM: Le Coffre Magique (young audience)
- Tue August 4 — 8:30 PM: Au secours ! Mon héritage
- Wed August 5 — 6 PM: Héloïse au royaume des bêtises (young audience)
- Wed August 5 — 8:30 PM: L'art du mensonge
- Tue August 11 — 6 PM: Les aventures du capitaine Frimousse (young audience)
- Tue August 11 — 8:30 PM: Le Morpion
- Wed August 12 — 6 PM: L'aventure pirate (young audience)
- Wed August 12 — 8:30 PM: Fou des Verts
Full program and ticketing on 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