Les Tentaculaires
Amiens street arts festival, since 1978
About Les Tentaculaires
One of the oldest street festivals in France
Created in 1978 under the name "La Rue est à Amiens", the Amiens street arts festival is one of the oldest in France. Renamed Les Tentaculaires, it is now led by the Cirque Jules Verne, a National Circus Center based in Amiens. In over forty years of existence, the festival has established itself as a major cultural event in the Picardy capital, offering a weekend of free performances in the city center's public spaces every summer.
The streets of Amiens transformed into open-air stages
For three days, Les Tentaculaires take over Amiens' emblematic locations: Place Gambetta, rue des Trois Cailloux, the Parc de l'Évêché, the areas around Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the banks of the Somme River become stages for artists. Public space is transformed: monumental visual installations stand alongside intimate street performances, musical parades mingle with acrobatic feats, creating an artistic journey through the city.
Circus, dance, theater, and fairground arts
The programming of Les Tentaculaires reflects the diversity of contemporary street arts. Around twenty companies, from all over France and sometimes Europe, present performances of contemporary circus, dance, street theater, music, and fairground arts. The festival showcases contemporary creation and innovative artistic forms, while also offering shows accessible to all audiences, from the youngest to the oldest. Participatory projects invite the people of Amiens to become active participants in the festival.
A free festival led by Cirque Jules Verne
Les Tentaculaires is organized by the Cirque Jules Verne, an Amiens cultural institution recognized as a National Circus Center. This ministerial label attests to the artistic excellence of the project led by this organization, which works year-round on creation, dissemination, and training in contemporary circus. The festival offers free access to all its performances, a strong commitment to making art accessible to everyone. With over 30,000 spectators over three days, Les Tentaculaires confirms its place in the hearts of Amiens residents and visitors year after year.
Les Tentaculaires — edition 2026
Les Tentaculaires returns from Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 5, 2026 in Amiens city center. Three days of entirely free shows with about twenty companies of circus, dance, street theater, music, and fairground arts, organized by Cirque Jules Verne, Pôle National Cirque. The 2026 edition highlights Catalan, Belgian, and Dutch creations.
A 2026 edition open to Europe
For its 2026 summer event, Les Tentaculaires festival announces 21 free shows and 2 monumental installations spread across the streets, squares, and gardens of Amiens city center, from Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 5. Cirque Jules Verne, Pôle National Cirque, has chosen to highlight the Catalan, Belgian, and Dutch scenes, in addition to the invited French companies.
Announced Highlights
- Friday, July 3 at 6:30 PM — Inauguration at Parc de l'Évêché featuring Catalan companies, followed by the show Distro at 7:30 PM.
- Saturday, July 4 at 11 PM — Les Semeurs de Temps et les Orgues de Feu, a pyrotechnic and musical show at Place Longueville.
- From June 27 to July 5 — Air Tentacules, an installation of two giant octopuses by Designs in Air, visible at Cirque Jules Verne and Amiens Belfry.
A free festival throughout the city
As every year, the shows are deployed across Amiens' emblematic sites: Place Gambetta, rue des Trois Cailloux, Parc de l'Évêché, Place Longueville, and the surroundings of Cirque Jules Verne. The detailed day-by-day program (companies, times, stages) is gradually published on the official website cirquejulesverne.fr. The complete 2026 program can be downloaded in PDF from the festival page.
Access to all shows and installations is completely free. Some limited-capacity formats may require prior reservation on billetterie.cirquejulesverne.fr.
Programme Les Tentaculaires 2026
Friday, July 3, 2026
- 6:30 PM — Official Inauguration · Parc de l'Évêché · Focus on Catalan companies
- 7:30 PM — Distro · Parc de l'Évêché
Saturday, July 4, 2026
- 11:00 PM — Les Semeurs de Temps et les Orgues de Feu · Place Longueville · pyrotechnic and musical show (night highlight)
Sunday, July 5, 2026
- Shows, strolls, and installations throughout the city center
Installation throughout the festival
- From June 27 to July 5 — Air Tentacules (Designs in Air) · two giant inflatable octopuses, Cirque Jules Verne and Amiens Belfry
Official program being published on cirquejulesverne.fr: 21 free shows and 2 installations announced by the organizer, Catalan / Belgian / Dutch focus. The complete program (companies, precise times, stages for each slot) will be available for PDF download on the festival page.
Highlights Les Tentaculaires 2026
- Completely free festival in Amiens city center
- From July 3 to 5, 2026 · 21 shows + 2 monumental installations
- Focus on Catalan, Belgian, and Dutch scenes
- Inauguration Friday 6:30 PM at Parc de l'Évêché
- Pyrotechnic show Les Orgues de Feu Saturday 11 PM at Place Longueville
- Air Tentacules installation: two giant octopuses at Cirque Jules Verne and the Belfry
Prices Les Tentaculaires 2026
Practical information — Les Tentaculaires
Access
The festival takes place in the streets, squares, and gardens of Amiens city center (80000). Performances are held in various public locations: Place Gambetta, rue des Trois Cailloux, Parc de l'Évêché, etc.
- By car: From Paris (150 km), take the A16 towards Amiens centre. Parking available in the city center.
- By train: Amiens station (Paris-Nord – Amiens, approx. 1h15). The city center is a 10-minute walk away.
- By bus: Ametis network, several lines serve the city center.
Prices
The festival is entirely free. Access to all shows and activities is open.
Contact
- Email: [email protected] (professional reception)
- Website: www.cirquejulesverne.fr
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Where does it take place — Les Tentaculaires
Centre-ville d'Amiens – Lieux multiples
Place Longueville, 80000 Amiens, 80000 Amiens