Les Monstrueuses Rencontres
Festival of shadow theatre, puppetry, and storytelling for young audiences
About Monstrueuses Rencontres
Les Monstrueuses Rencontres: A Festival By and For Children
Since 2008, the Monstrueuses Rencontres have animated the town of Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse, in the heart of Drôme des Collines, every spring. This festival, led by the MJC du Pays de l'Herbasse, is much more than just a cultural event: it is a true educational and artistic project that mobilizes nearly 900 children and teenagers throughout the year.
A Project Rooted in National Education and Popular Education
Les Monstrueuses Rencontres was born from a partnership between the MJC, the National Education system, and the popular education movement. Throughout the school year, children follow a theatre workshop program led by professional artists. This long-term work culminates in the creation of performances that the young people present on the festival stage, in front of an enthusiastic audience of families, friends, and spectators from all over the region.
A Rich and Varied Program
The festival offers an eclectic program combining shadow theatre, puppetry, storytelling, street performances, and original creations. Professional companies from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region rub shoulders with amateur troupes and school groups, creating an atmosphere of sharing and discovery. Each edition explores a different universe, between fantasy, poetry, and imagination, offering both young and old a unique artistic and cultural adventure.
Ten Days of Celebration at Espace des Collines
The festival unfolds over ten days, from mid-May to the end of May, at the Espace des Collines in Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse. Indoor and outdoor performances, creative workshops, activities, and moments of conviviality punctuate the program. A festive opening ceremony marks the kick-off of each edition, bringing together artists, children, families, and volunteers in a warm atmosphere.
A Festival Accessible to All
Eager to remain accessible to as many people as possible, the festival offers moderate prices: 10 euros for the full price, 7 euros for the reduced price for under-18s, job seekers, and grandparents, and a festival pass at 24 euros for four entries. Children participating in the creations benefit from a special price of 5 euros.
Les Monstrueuses Rencontres embodies a generous and demanding vision of culture for all, where live performance becomes a tool for social connection, expression, and development for young people.
Monstrueuses Rencontres — edition 2026
The 19th edition of Les Monstrueuses Rencontres will take place from Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 31, 2026 in Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse, at the Espace des Collines, the MJC du Pays de l'Herbasse, and the Palais Delphinal. Ten days of shows dedicated to young audiences — theatre, dance, storytelling, puppetry, music — presented by professional regional companies and by the creations of children accompanied throughout the year by the MJC.
19th edition — May 22 to 31, 2026
Les Monstrueuses Rencontres return for their 19th edition in Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse, from Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 31, 2026. For ten days, the Espace des Collines, the MJC du Pays de l'Herbasse, and the Palais Delphinal will host a multidisciplinary program designed for families, from toddlers to older teenagers.
A strong opening on Friday, May 22
The festival opens on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 7:30 PM at the Espace des Collines with the official inauguration and the show « Lisa » by Cie Qui Va Piano, performed by Nicolas Devort (patron of the 2022 edition). A funny, sensitive, and committed one-woman show about a rebellious young teenager in search of identity, for ages 10 and up, duration 1h15.
Professional companies and sensitive creations
The 2026 edition notably welcomes Cie Transit in residence at the Palais Delphinal from May 18 to 22, presenting « Le murmure des pierres » on Saturday, May 23 at 11 AM — a piece blending contemporary dance and Butoh in a remarkable heritage site. The concert « FugaCités Slam » by the Concert de l'Hostel Dieu, which brings together baroque music and hip-hop with slamer Mehdi Krüger and beatboxer Tiko, is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26 at 7:30 PM at the Espace des Collines (for ages 11 and up).
Special attention to early childhood
Several proposals are aimed at toddlers: « Sous mes pieds » (Cie Au bois des Zarts & Lo Piaa Loba) on Sunday, May 24 at 10:30 AM at the MJC, a dance and storytelling duo for ages 0 and up; « Les petites lumières du ciel » (Cie La Porte del Arte) on Saturday, May 30 at 10:00 AM; « Voyage au pays des oiseaux » (Compagnie Tout Cour) on Sunday, May 31 at 10:00 AM. « L'histoire est dans l'sac » (Cie Gratte nez et mange doigt) is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27 at 10:00 AM at the Espace des Collines, with storytelling, dance, and live music for ages 6 and up.
Children on stage
As every year, nearly 900 children and teenagers, accompanied throughout the school year by the MJC and the Éducation nationale, present their own creations on the festival stages — this has been one of the distinctive features of Les Monstrueuses Rencontres since 2008.
Programme Monstrueuses Rencontres 2026
Friday, May 22, 2026
- 7:30 PM — Official Inauguration · Espace des Collines
- 7:30 PM — « Lisa » · Cie Qui Va Piano · Espace des Collines · One-woman show performed by Nicolas Devort · Funny, sensitive, and committed · 1h15 · Ages 10 and up
Saturday, May 23, 2026
- 11:00 AM — « Le murmure des pierres » · Cie Transit · Palais Delphinal · Residency exit, contemporary dance and Butoh · 45 min · All audiences
Sunday, May 24, 2026
- 10:30 AM — « Sous mes pieds » · Cie Au bois des Zarts & Lo Piaa Loba · MJC du Pays de l'Herbasse · Dance and storytelling duo · 30 min · Ages 0 to 5
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
- 7:30 PM — « FugaCités Slam » · Concert de l'Hostel Dieu (directed by Franck-Emmanuel Comte) with Mehdi Krüger (slam) and Tiko (beatbox) · Espace des Collines · Baroque music and hip-hop · 50 min · Ages 11 and up
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
- 10:00 AM — « L'histoire est dans l'sac » · Cie Gratte nez et mange doigt · Espace des Collines · Storytelling, dance, and live music · Ages 6 and up
Saturday, May 30, 2026
- 10:00 AM — « Les petites lumières du ciel » · Cie La Porte del Arte · MJC du Pays de l'Herbasse · 25 min · Ages 0 to 5 (two sessions)
Sunday, May 31, 2026
- 10:00 AM — « Voyage au pays des oiseaux » · Compagnie Tout Cour · MJC du Pays de l'Herbasse · 30 min · Ages 6 months to 6 years (two sessions)
Additional program being published by the MJC du Pays de l'Herbasse: children's creations, workshops, and activities throughout the ten days.
Highlights Monstrueuses Rencontres 2026
- Opening show « Lisa » by Cie Qui Va Piano with Nicolas Devort, on May 22 at 7:30 PM
- Creation « Le murmure des pierres » by Cie Transit at the Palais Delphinal, residency exit
- Concert « FugaCités Slam » by Concert de l'Hostel Dieu, baroque / hip-hop fusion
- Several shows designed for toddlers (0-5 years old) at the MJC
- Nearly 900 children and teenagers on stage, accompanied throughout the year by the MJC
Prices Monstrueuses Rencontres 2026
Practical information — Monstrueuses Rencontres
Practical Information
Location
Espace des Collines, Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse (26260)
Access
By car: Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse is located 30 minutes from Valence and 20 minutes from Tournon-sur-Rhône. From the A7 motorway, take the Tain-l'Hermitage exit then follow the signs for Saint-Donat.
Prices
- Full price: €10
- Reduced price: €7 (under 18s, job seekers, grandparents)
- Festival pass: €24 (4 entries)
- Participating child price: €5
Contact
MJC du Pays de l'Herbasse
Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse
Website: www.mjc-herbasse.fr
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Where does it take place — Monstrueuses Rencontres
Espace des Collines
Espace des Collines, 1242 Avenue Général de Gaulle, 26260 Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse, 26260 Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse