Quartier d'Été du Cirque-Théâtre

Quartier d'Été: Open-Air Circus at Cirque-Théâtre d'Elbeuf

The Quartier d'Été is the highlight of the end of the season at the Cirque-Théâtre d'Elbeuf, Pôle national cirque en Normandie. For several weekends, from late May to late June, the Place du Champ de Foire, facing the Cirque-Théâtre, transforms into a lively and friendly artistic village, with a festive guinguette atmosphere.

An Exceptional Heritage Site

The Cirque-Théâtre d'Elbeuf is a remarkable monument built in 1892 at the height of Elbeuf's textile industry. It is one of the eight remaining permanent circuses in France and the only one to combine a circus hall with an Italian-style theatre stage. Restored and labeled as a National Circus Center, it provides a unique setting for the creation and dissemination of contemporary circus in Normandy.

A Generous Program Balancing Free and Ticketed Events

Free Outdoor Shows

Each weekend of the Quartier d'Été features free outdoor shows on the Place du Champ de Foire: acrobatics, rare or unusual apparatus, aerial and ground performances, juggling, and balancing. These offerings provide a true festival of apparatus, sometimes unusual, in a unique proximity between artists and the public.

Shows Under the Big Top

In addition to the free shows, a major show under the big top or within the walls of the Cirque-Théâtre is the paid highlight of each edition. In 2025, it was Foutoir Céleste, an exuberant circus show with unbridled energy, which was presented as a ticketed performance.

Mini-Concerts, Bar, and a Friendly Atmosphere

The Quartier d'Été's artistic village also hosts mini-concerts, a bar, food stalls, outdoor games, and small surprises, in a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere. Initiation workshops in circus arts allow young and old to discover the trapeze, juggling, or acrobatics.

An Event Rooted in the Cirque-Théâtre Season

The Quartier d'Été is part of the thematic sequences that punctuate the Cirque-Théâtre d'Elbeuf's season throughout the year. It concludes the season in a festive and shared atmosphere, opening the venue's doors to as many people as possible and promoting contemporary circus in the heart of the city of Elbeuf and the Rouen metropolitan area.