Paroles Partagées
Cultural and civic festival of speech, theater, and writing
About Paroles Partagées
Created in 2017 by the Compagnie Kaléidoscope, the Paroles Partagées festival takes over Échirolles and its surroundings every year as part of the Week of the French Language and Francophonie. Combining professional and amateur performances, writing and voice workshops, readings, storytelling, exhibitions, and civic debates, it champions access to culture for all and living together through shared speech. Each edition brings together hundreds of artists, volunteers, and spectators around a unifying societal theme.
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Paroles Partagées at the best price.
Sponsored link
Paroles Partagées: A Civic Festival Born from the Encounter Between Theater and Speech
Founded in 2017 by the Compagnie Kaléidoscope, a theater company established in Échirolles for over 35 years, the Paroles Partagées festival is a unique cultural and civic event in the Grenoble metropolitan area. As part of the Week of the French Language and Francophonie, it upholds the belief that every voice matters, that artistic expression is essential to democratic life, and that it fosters mutual understanding.
An Artistic Project Rooted in the Territory
The festival is led by Laurence Grattaroly, founder and artistic director of the Compagnie Kaléidoscope, whose work focuses on the involvement of Échirolles residents in shared theatrical creation projects. The speech and writing workshops, at the heart of the company's approach, enable residents to reflect on societal themes, meet each other, and follow the creation of performances, thereby weaving or strengthening social bonds in the city's priority neighborhoods.
A Rich and Accessible Program
Each edition of Paroles Partagées offers an eclectic and committed program that combines:
- Professional performances: Debate-theater pieces on societal themes (discrimination, children's rights, aging, risk-taking behaviors)
- Amateur creations: Intergenerational performances bringing together amateur actors aged 11 to 83 in collective creations
- Writing and voice workshops: Open to all, teenagers and adults, regardless of educational or social background
- Readings and storytelling: Moments of sharing around the French language and oral tradition
- Exhibitions: Photographic and artistic installations related to the edition's theme
- Conferences and civic debates: Spaces for dialogue on contemporary issues
- Sound creations: Soundscape collections and artistic residencies
Iconic Venues in Échirolles and Its Surroundings
The festival takes place in numerous cultural and public venues in the city: the Théâtre de La Ponatière, La Rampe (conventioned stage), the Musée Géo-Charles, the Salle Pablo-Picasso, the Salle de l'Azuré, the Mairie d'Échirolles, as well as cultural spaces in neighboring towns such as Champ-sur-Drac, Seyssins, Varces, or Saint-Paul-de-Varces. This local itinerancy promotes proximity with audiences and contributes to the cultural influence of the southern Grenoble metropolitan area.
An Intergenerational and Participatory Festival
One of the strengths of Paroles Partagées lies in its participatory and intergenerational dimension. Each edition mobilizes dozens of amateur actors, from children to seniors, who perform on stage alongside professionals. The festival also offers youth performances, family workshops, and meeting opportunities open to all, making each edition a true highlight of Échirolles' cultural life.
Paroles Partagées — edition 2026
The 10th edition of the Paroles Partagées festival takes place from February 24 to March 31, 2026, in Échirolles. To celebrate a decade of shared creation, the Compagnie Kaléidoscope offers a festive program combining professional and amateur performances, photographic exhibitions, writing workshops, youth theater, and civic debates, taking over the city's iconic cultural venues.
10th Edition — A Decade of Shared Words
The Paroles Partagées festival celebrates its 10th anniversary with a special edition unfolding from February 24 to March 31, 2026, throughout Échirolles. To mark this decade of shared creation, the Compagnie Kaléidoscope offers a particularly rich program, reflecting ten years of artistic and civic commitment to speech and living together.
Opening — Theatrical Vernissage at the Town Hall
The opening of this 10th edition was held on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at the Mairie d'Échirolles, with the theatrical vernissage of the exhibition "10 ans déjà ! Balade photographique" (10 Years Already! Photographic Journey). This exhibition, featuring photographs by Phil Denis, Gérard Brun, and Sophie Rodriguez, retraces a decade of shared creation, encounters, and key moments of the festival.
Le pire n'est pas sûr — Amateur Theater on the Hyperconnected Society
On Saturday, March 7, at the Théâtre de La Ponatière, the performance "Le pire n'est pas sûr" (The Worst Is Not Certain) brings together 36 amateur actors directed by professionals in a theatrical reflection on our hyperconnected society. Blending humor and lucidity, this collective creation questions our relationship with screens, social networks, and disconnection.
International Women's Rights Day
On Sunday, March 8, for International Women's Rights Day, the festival presents a special program at the Ciné-Théâtre de La Ponatière at 3:30 PM, featuring a short film screening followed by poignant readings on women's rights, combining testimonies and literary texts.
Viens jouer avec moi — Youth Performance
On Sunday, March 8, at La Rampe, the performance "Viens jouer avec moi" (Come Play With Me) offers families a sensitive exploration of the challenges of modern childhood. This youth performance addresses, with poetry and delicacy, questions of play, imagination, and the bond between children and adults.
Are You More into Sports or Culture? — Theatrical Tour
At the Musée Géo-Charles, the theatrical tour "Vous êtes plutôt sport ou culture ?" (Are You More into Sports or Culture?) offers, on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30 PM, a journey blending poetry and humor through the museum's collections. Free and accessible to all, this original offering embodies the festival's playful and popular spirit.
An Anniversary Looking Towards the Future
This anniversary edition is also an opportunity to look towards the future. In ten years, Paroles Partagées has mobilized hundreds of artists and volunteers, reached thousands of spectators, and firmly anchored civic discourse at the heart of Échirolles' cultural life. The festival continues to champion accessible, participatory, and committed culture, true to the vision of the Compagnie Kaléidoscope.
Programme Paroles Partagées 2026
Highlights of the 2026 Program
- 10 ans déjà ! Balade photographique: retrospective exhibition with theatrical vernissage (February 24, Mairie d'Échirolles)
- Le pire n'est pas sûr: performance by 36 amateur actors on the hyperconnected society (March 7, Théâtre de La Ponatière)
- Women's Rights Day: short film and engaged readings (March 8, Ciné-Théâtre de La Ponatière)
- Viens jouer avec moi: youth performance on childhood (March 8, La Rampe)
- Vous êtes plutôt sport ou culture ?: free theatrical tour at the Musée Géo-Charles
Highlights Paroles Partagées 2026
Anticipated Moments of the 2026 Edition
- 10th anniversary edition: a decade of shared creation celebrated in Échirolles
- "10 ans déjà!" Exhibition: photographic retrospective by Phil Denis, Gérard Brun, and Sophie Rodriguez
- 36 amateur actors on stage in "Le pire n'est pas sûr"
- Youth performance "Viens jouer avec moi" at La Rampe
- Free theatrical tour of the Musée Géo-Charles blending poetry and humor
- Special program for International Women's Rights Day
Prices Paroles Partagées 2026
Practical information — Paroles Partagées
Practical Information
Festival Venues
The Paroles Partagées festival unfolds in several cultural and public venues in Échirolles and surrounding towns:
- La Rampe - La Ponatière — 15 avenue du 8 Mai 1945, 38130 Échirolles (conventioned stage)
- Théâtre de La Ponatière — Rue de la Ponatière, 38130 Échirolles
- Musée Géo-Charles — 1 rue Géo-Charles, 38130 Échirolles
- Salle Pablo-Picasso — 2 bis rue Pablo Picasso, 38130 Échirolles
- Salle de l'Azuré — Échirolles
- Mairie d'Échirolles — 1 place des Cinq Fontaines, 38130 Échirolles
- Espace culturel Navarre — Champ-sur-Drac
- Espace Victor Schoelcher — Seyssins
Prices
The festival champions a pricing policy accessible to all:
- Free performances: some shows and events are free (exhibitions, guided theatrical tours at the Musée Géo-Charles)
- Writing workshops: from 4 to 10 EUR
- Theater performances: from 5 to 14 EUR depending on the show
- Reduced rates: available for young people under 25 residing in Échirolles (some performances free)
- Youth performances: prices adapted for families
Ticketing and Reservations
Reservations are recommended for most events. Tickets available on the Compagnie Kaléidoscope website: www.compagnie-kaleidoscope.com or directly from partner performance venues (La Rampe, etc.).
Access
By tram: Échirolles is served by line A of the TAG tramway (stops La Rampe, Auguste Delaune, Échirolles - Gare). Théâtre de La Ponatière and La Rampe are within walking distance of the tram stops.
By bus: Several TAG bus lines serve the various festival venues.
By car: Échirolles is located south of Grenoble, accessible via the southern ring road (A480). Free parking near the performance venues.
By train: Grenoble station, then take tram line A towards Échirolles (approx. 15 minutes).
Accessibility
The festival is committed to making its events accessible to the widest possible audience. The main venues (La Rampe, Musée Géo-Charles) are accessible to people with reduced mobility. For any specific requests, please contact the company in advance of the event.
Contact
Compagnie Kaléidoscope
5 rue Hector Berlioz — 38130 Échirolles
Tel: 04 56 17 92 40 / 06 68 36 65 61
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.compagnie-kaleidoscope.com
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Paroles Partagées at the best price.
Sponsored link
Where does it take place — Paroles Partagées
La Rampe - La Ponatière et lieux divers à Échirolles
5 rue Hector Berlioz, 38130 Échirolles