Les Météores

Les Météores: Circus Comes to the Streets of Saint-Genis-Laval

Since 2021, the Les Météores festival has illuminated the summer evenings of Saint-Genis-Laval, a town southwest of the Lyon metropolis. Initiated by a commission from the town to the management of Théâtre La Mouche, in the aftermath of the first lockdown, this festival was conceived as a space for reunion and sharing around live outdoor performance. The concept is as simple as it is generous: every Tuesday evening, from late June to late July, a neighborhood in the town hosts a circus or street arts company for a free, no-reservation performance.

Five Evenings, Five Locations, Five Companies

The strength of Les Météores lies in its traveling and decentralized format. Each week, the festival takes over a different location in Saint-Genis-Laval: a municipal park, a neighborhood square, a public garden, the forecourt of a fort, or an esplanade. This mobility allows the performance to be brought closer to the residents, in everyday spaces transformed for the occasion into ephemeral circus stages.

Contemporary Circus in All Its Forms

The programming showcases contemporary circus in all its diversity: acrobatics, juggling, trapeze, tightrope walking, clowning, aerial arts, street theater, and performances. The invited companies, whether established or emerging, offer shows accessible to all ages, combining technical prowess, poetry, and humor. The 5th edition, in 2025, notably featured La Bande à Tyrex, Les Baudrieres, and Clan Cabane.

A Free Festival Open to All

True to the commitment of La Mouche, Saint-Genis-Laval's theater and cinema, Les Météores is a completely free festival with no ticketing. No reservations, no tickets: everyone is free to come and settle on the grass or the temporary stands to enjoy the show. This philosophy of total openness makes Les Météores a truly popular event, bringing together hundreds of spectators from all walks of life each evening.

A Festival That Builds Community

Beyond the performances, Les Météores has developed an original participatory component: Radio Météores, a podcast created by young people from the area, offers artist interviews and behind-the-scenes reports. Local food trucks provide catering on-site, extending the evening in a neighborhood festival atmosphere. Accessibility is a priority, with support offered upon request for people with disabilities.

Since Élise Ternat took over the direction of La Mouche, the festival has continued to grow, confirming its place in the landscape of outdoor circus festivals in the Lyon region.