Les Lions du Rire
The festival that makes the capital of the Gauls roar with laughter
About Lions du Rire
Les Lions du Rire: The Lyon Comedy Talent Contest
Founded in 2016, the Les Lions du Rire festival has quickly established itself as one of the major comedy events in the Lyon metropolitan area. Held in the majestic setting of the Bourse du Travail, Place Guichard in the 3rd arrondissement, this festival celebrates the new generation of French comedy every May with infectious energy and a keen eye for discovering tomorrow's gems.
Exceptional Sponsorship
For six years, the festival has benefited from the prestigious sponsorship of Smaïn, a key figure in French comedy, who lends his artistic endorsement and network to the event. Pascal Légitimus, a legendary member of Les Inconnus, also supports the festival, testifying to the quality of the programming and the ambition of this Lyon-based talent contest.
A Launchpad for Tomorrow's Talents
The beating heart of Les Lions du Rire is its young talent competition. Dozens of candidates are auditioned throughout the year during open casting sessions. The selected finalists then perform on the prestigious stage of the Bourse du Travail in front of a jury of professionals and an enthusiastic audience. Many winners have gone on to pursue notable careers on national stages.
A Rich and Varied Program
Beyond the talent contest, Les Lions du Rire offers a comprehensive program that combines headline shows, screenings of comedic short films, and special evenings. Each edition features new formats, such as improvisation battles and masterclasses led by established comedians, thus offering a complete panorama of contemporary humor.
The Bourse du Travail: A Historic Venue
The Bourse du Travail de Lyon, an Art Deco architectural masterpiece built in 1934, provides a grand setting for Les Lions du Rire. Its large 1,800-seat hall, with remarkable acoustics, ensures optimal performance conditions. The combination of this architectural heritage and the vitality of contemporary humor gives the festival a unique identity in the Lyon cultural landscape.
Lions du Rire — edition 2026
11th Edition — May 4 to 10, 2026
Les Lions du Rire celebrate their 11th edition in May 2026, spread over a full week in Lyon with a final and a closing show at the Bourse du Travail, and several off-site evenings in different venues across the city from May 4 to 9. The festival remains true to its dual identity: a springboard for the new generation of French comedy, sponsored by Smaïn for seven years, and a panorama of the best emerging young comedians discovered on French-speaking stages.
Pre-festival Week (Monday, May 4 to Friday, May 8)
The edition opens on Monday, May 4 at 7 PM with La Confluence du Rire at the UGC Confluence cinema (screening and comedy show). From May 4 to 8, several off-site evenings host artists in partner venues: Grâce de Kelly and Manuel Salmero (Manuel de Survie) on Tuesday, May 5, Wassim El Fath and Nicolas Di Nitto (Je pense tout haut) on Wednesday, May 6.
Final — Saturday, May 9 at 8 PM, Bourse du Travail
The grand final of the springboard competition brings together a dozen young comedians on Saturday, May 9 at 8 PM, on the stage of the Salle Albert Thomas (Bourse du Travail), competing in front of 2,000 spectators. Stand-up, improv, and theatrical comedy follow one another in an evening of discoveries where the audience votes live via an application on a giant screen to designate the winner of the audience award (1,000 €), while a professional jury awards the jury prize (1,000 €). A raffle also offers a trip for two to La Réunion or Mauritius thanks to Corsair.
Sunday, May 10 at 5 PM — Mahé s'installe
The festival closes on Sunday, May 10 at 5 PM at the Bourse du Travail with Mahé, double winner of both the audience award and the jury prize of Les Lions du Rire (following Paul Mirabel in the same competition), who presents his show Mahé s'installe, blending stand-up, sketches, and improvisation, with self-deprecation and communicative energy.
Tickets are available on the official website and from partner retailers (Fnac Spectacles, BilletReduc).
Programme Lions du Rire 2026
Monday, May 4, 2026 — Opening
- 7:00 PM — La Confluence du Rire · UGC Confluence Cinema — screening and comedy show to launch the edition
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 — Off-site Evenings
- 8:00 PM — Grâce de Kelly
- 8:00 PM — Manuel Salmero in Manuel de Survie
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 — Off-site Evenings
- 8:00 PM — Wassim El Fath
- 8:00 PM — Nicolas Di Nitto in Je pense tout haut
Saturday, May 9, 2026 — Springboard Final · Bourse du Travail
- 8:00 PM — 11th Edition Final Les Lions du Rire · Salle Albert Thomas, Bourse du Travail — a dozen young comedians in competition (stand-up, improv, theatrical comedy), live audience voting on giant screen via application, presence of sponsor Smaïn
- Artists announced for the 2026 program: Nassim Bombo, Morgane Berling, Kosh, Julien Santini, Hammy Dimaria
- Jury Prize: 1,000 € · Audience Award: 1,000 € · Raffle: trip for 2 to La Réunion or Mauritius (Corsair)
Sunday, May 10, 2026 — Closing · Bourse du Travail
- 5:00 PM — Mahé in Mahé s'installe · Salle Albert Thomas, Bourse du Travail — double winner of Les Lions du Rire (audience award + jury prize), stand-up, sketches and improvisation, from 6 years old
Highlights Lions du Rire 2026
- 11th edition spread from May 4 to 10, 2026, with a pre-festival week in several Lyon venues and a closing weekend at the Bourse du Travail (Salle Albert Thomas)
- Sponsorship by Smaïn for seven years, historical support from Pascal Légitimus
- Springboard final on Saturday, May 9 at 8 PM: 12 young comedians competing in front of 2,000 spectators, live voting via application on a giant screen
- Jury Prize (1,000 €) + Audience Award (1,000 €) + raffle for a trip for 2 to La Réunion or Mauritius (Corsair)
- Closing on Sunday, May 10 at 5 PM with Mahé (Mahé s'installe), double winner of Les Lions du Rire (audience + jury prize)
- Opening on Monday, May 4 at 7 PM with La Confluence du Rire at the UGC Confluence cinema
Prices Lions du Rire 2026
Practical information — Lions du Rire
Access
By public transport: Metro line B, stop Place Guichard - Bourse du Travail. Tram T1, stop Palais de Justice - Mairie du 3e.
By car: 205 place Guichard, 69003 Lyon. Public parking nearby (Parking Part-Dieu, Parking Halles Paul Bocuse).
Prices
Tickets range from €21 to €32 depending on the category and show. Reduced rates available. Online ticketing on the official website.
Schedules
Shows generally take place in the evening at 8 PM and on Sundays in the afternoon at 5 PM.
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Where does it take place — Lions du Rire
Bourse du Travail de Lyon
205 place Guichard, 69003 Lyon