Les Larmes du Rire

Les Larmes du Rire: Over 40 Years of Laughter in Épinal

Created in 1984 by the City of Épinal, the Les Larmes du Rire festival has become over the decades one of the major events for comedy and burlesque theatre in the Grand Est region. Every October, for nearly twelve days, the Centre des Congrès d'Épinal transforms into a true temple of laughter, hosting about fifteen shows by companies from all over France.

A Rich and Multidisciplinary Program

The strength of Les Larmes du Rire lies in the diversity of its programming. The festival explores humor in all its facets: one-man-shows, burlesque theatre, clowning, visual theatre, wild cabaret, burlesque conferences, musical theatre, and circus arts. Each edition features a patron, a recognized artist who embodies the offbeat and daring spirit of the festival. In 2024, the surprising and original artist Gwen Aduh sponsored the 41st edition, while Sylvain Richardot of Chanson Plus Bifluorée accompanied the 40th anniversary edition in 2023.

A Friendly Setting in the Heart of the Vosges

The shows are held every evening at 8:30 PM with an additional performance on Sundays at 11 AM. The bar area opens at 7:30 PM and offers a warm meeting place for spectators and artists. The festival also offers special exchanges with the companies for schools and the general public, making each edition more than just a series of shows.

An Accessible and Popular Festival

True to its mission as a municipal festival, Les Larmes du Rire maintains very accessible pricing, with tickets ranging from 5 to 16 euros and advantageous subscription packages. This accessibility, combined with the quality and originality of the programming, attracts a loyal and curious audience each year, eager to discover often unexpected forms of humor, blending the absurd, the burlesque, and poetry.