Printemps des Roulottes

Le Printemps des Roulottes: Culture Comes to You

Le Printemps des Roulottes is a performing arts festival rooted in the tradition of travelling and nomadic arts. Its founding principle is simple yet revolutionary: rather than waiting for the audience in a theatre or concert hall, the artists go to meet the residents in their neighbourhoods, streets, squares, and parks.

Each edition of the festival sees contemporary circus, street theatre, dance, and music companies set up with their caravans, wagons, and stage equipment in various locations across the Cergy-Pontoise urban area. The festival's travelling route allows it to reach very different audiences in neighbourhoods with diverse socio-cultural profiles.

Circus Arts in the Heart of Neighbourhoods

Contemporary circus plays a central role in the programming of Le Printemps des Roulottes. The invited companies offer short performances adapted for the street: aerial acrobatics under mobile tents, juggling and balancing acts, clown performances, and itinerant shows. These formats allow for direct interaction with the public, without barriers or protocols.

A Festival for Families and Working-Class Neighbourhoods

Le Printemps des Roulottes places a special emphasis on families and children. Its programming includes numerous shows suitable for young audiences, with short formats accessible from the age of 3. The festival often prioritizes setting up in the working-class neighbourhoods of Cergy-Pontoise, helping to rebalance access to culture in the area.

Artists in Residence and Creation

True to the spirit of performing arts, Le Printemps des Roulottes hosts artists in residence in the territory each year. These residencies allow companies to create shows on-site, inspired by the places and people of Cergy-Pontoise, and to present works in progress to the local public before their national release.