Méliscènes Festival

Puppetry on a Grand Scale in Pays d'Auray

Since 2002, the Méliscènes Festival has established itself as one of the major events for puppetry and object theatre in Brittany. Supported by the Athéna Cultural Centre of the City of Auray, with the backing of the intercommunal community Auray Quiberon Terre Atlantique, this travelling festival takes over the performance halls, schools, and heritage sites of the 24 communes in Pays d'Auray each year.

Two Weeks of Shows and Encounters

For two weeks, in March, Méliscènes offers a dense and varied program: over 30 shows and 70 performances are scheduled across the territory. Professional companies from all over France present their creations, ranging from traditional puppetry to contemporary forms mixing object theatre, visual arts, and new technologies.

Shows for All Ages

The festival is aimed at all audiences, from very young children to adults. The shows are designed to amaze, question, and surprise. The artistic forms are diverse: string puppets, glove puppets, shadow theatre, object theatre, giant puppets, and hybrid forms. This diversity is the richness and originality of Méliscènes.

Workshops and Participatory Creations

Beyond the shows, the festival offers creation workshops open to the public, allowing participants to learn about making and manipulating puppets. Professional meetings are also organized for performing arts professionals. In 2026, the participatory project Un Appétit de Géant by the company Les Grandes Personnes invites residents to collectively build giant puppets.

A Festival Rooted in its Territory

Méliscènes doesn't just take over the town of Auray: the festival reaches throughout the entire Pays d'Auray, bringing the art of puppetry to rural and coastal communes. This travelling dimension allows it to reach a wide audience and create social connections through artistic practice.

A Recognized Cultural Highlight

With 25 editions under its belt by 2026, the Méliscènes Festival has gained national recognition in the world of puppetry. It is a highlight of the Athéna cultural season and contributes to the cultural influence of Morbihan. Invited companies regularly present new creations and premieres here, making the festival a place for artistic discovery and innovation.