Les Préalables

Contemporary Circus on the Road

Les Préalables is a traveling and free contemporary circus festival that takes place annually in early June in the communes of the Ardèche Rhône Coiron community of communes, in southern Ardèche. Initially conceived as a prelude to the Festival d'Alba, Les Préalables gradually became independent to become a festival in its own right, supported by La Cascade, a National Pole for Circus Arts based in Bourg-Saint-Andéol.

A Festival That Meets the Inhabitants

The unique feature of Les Préalables is its traveling format. For a week, circus artists travel from commune to commune, between the Rhône and Coiron, between valleys and mountains, to meet the inhabitants where they live. The shows take place in everyday locations—village squares, schoolyards, public parks, natural spaces—transformed for the occasion into ephemeral stages. This artistic circuit within the territory creates a strong bond between the artists and the local populations.

Free Shows in Fifteen Communes

Each edition of Les Préalables offers about ten shows with fifteen performances spread across fourteen to sixteen communes in the territory. In 2024, the festival presented 10 shows (14 performances) in 14 communes, involving 27 artists and attracting 3,474 spectators. All shows are free, in line with the festival's commitment to making culture accessible to all audiences.

La Cascade, National Pole for Circus Arts

Les Préalables is supported by La Cascade, a National Pole for Circus Arts located in Bourg-Saint-Andéol. This center for the creation and dissemination of contemporary circus is a major player in circus arts on a national scale. La Cascade supports artistic creation, professional training, and the dissemination of contemporary circus in rural areas. Les Préalables represent the territorial aspect of its action, bringing circus closer to the inhabitants of Ardèche.

Territorial Anchoring Between Heritage and Creation

The Ardèche Rhône Coiron territory, between the Rhône valley and the volcanic plateau of Coiron, offers varied and spectacular landscapes that serve as a natural backdrop for the shows. The communes of Le Teil, Alba-la-Romaine, Rochemaure, Viviers, and surrounding villages host the performances in sites chosen for their beauty and capacity to welcome the public. This alliance between natural heritage, built heritage, and contemporary creation makes Les Préalables a unique event in Ardèche.