Rues et Cies
The dean of street arts festivals in France
About Rues et Cies
Rues et Cies: The Oldest Street Festival in France
Born in 1984 under the name Festival du Colportage at the initiative of the company Dominique Houdart, Rues et Cies has become over the decades a major cultural event on the French artistic scene. Taken over by the City of Épinal in 1990, the festival adopted its current name and continued its development to establish itself as the dean of street arts festivals in France, with over forty editions under its belt.
A City Center Transformed into a Living Stage
For two days, the streets, squares, and alleys of the historic center of Épinal become the playground for national and international companies. From the mythical Place des Vosges to the medieval ramparts of the Chapitre district, passing by the banks of the Moselle, every corner of the city hosts shows of street theater, new circus, dance, acrobatics, and music. Wandering fanfares punctuate the day, creating a unique festive atmosphere.
A Completely Free and Accessible Festival for All
Total free access is the DNA of Rues et Cies. More than 40 shows and 120 performances are offered free to the public, in a spirit of sharing and proximity that only the street can provide. The festival village, set up behind the Palais de Justice, offers a space for meetings and relaxation with concerts, screen printing workshops, and privileged exchanges with the artists.
A New Artistic Direction
Since 2025, the festival has benefited from a new artistic direction entrusted to the Épinal-based company L'Étincelle ProD, bringing a breath of fresh air to this historic event. The 2025 edition featured an original theme titled "L'Appel du Large" (The Call of the Sea), with spectacular creations such as giant five-meter-high lighthouses parading through the streets, a fanfare battle on the Place des Vosges, and a collective mural created live.
An Event Rooted in the Vosges Region
Supported by the municipality of Épinal and numerous volunteers, Rues et Cies contributes to the cultural influence of the Vosges prefecture far beyond regional borders. The festival attracts tens of thousands of spectators each year and boosts the local economy while offering an exceptional showcase for street arts.
Rues et Cies — edition 2026
The 43rd edition of Rues et Cies takes place in Épinal from Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 14, 2026, around the theme of the crossing. Three days of free street art shows, with 20 companies, 6 brass bands, 59 performances, and 4 concerts in the city center and along the banks of the Moselle.
2026 Edition — « The Crossing »
For its 43rd edition, France's oldest street art festival once again takes over Épinal city center and the banks of the Moselle from Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 14, 2026. This edition marks the arrival of a new artistic direction led by Frédéric Flusin and Nicolas Sion, artists and directors from the professional company L'Étincelle ProD.
The chosen theme — the crossing — makes the Moselle the symbolic and artistic common thread of the entire program, connecting both banks and imaginations.
A spectacular opening above the Moselle
The festival opens on Friday evening at 8:30 PM, near the Pinau footbridge, with an original creation: tightrope walker Aurélien Prost will walk a wire stretched 14 meters above the Moselle, accompanied live by a trio of local musicians.
The festival village
The festival village is set up at Place Georgin, in front of the covered market, on the banks of the Moselle. For three days, it becomes a true living space: shows, concerts, participatory proposals, installations, and meeting times punctuate the weekend.
A multidisciplinary program
The 2026 edition combines street theater, humor, acrobatics, juggling, clown arts, music, brass bands, and pyrotechnic shows. Among the companies present: Bonjour Désordre, L'Aurore, Intrepidus Squad, Les Établissements Lafaille (with their creation SO BIGGER), as well as several original creations designed for the festival.
Concerts and brass bands
Evenings are enlivened by concerts: Mouse DTC and Louise XIV on Friday evening, Prairie Mairie on Saturday evening. The festival's closing is entrusted to a brass band battle on Sunday at 5:15 PM, which sees six groups musically compete while parading through the streets of Épinal.
Admission to all festival shows and concerts remains free and open, true to the original spirit of Rues et Cies since 1984.
Programme Rues et Cies 2026
Friday, June 12, 2026 — Opening
- 8:30 PM — The Crossing · Tightrope walking with Aurélien Prost above the Moselle (Pinau footbridge), accompanied live by a trio of local musicians
- Evening — Concert Mouse DTC · Festival village, Place Georgin
- Evening — Concert Louise XIV · Festival village, Place Georgin
- Brass bands parading, DJ sets and performances in the city center
Saturday, June 13, 2026
- Day of street art shows in the city center: theater, humor, circus, juggling, clown
- Companies present: Bonjour Désordre, L'Aurore, Intrepidus Squad, Les Établissements Lafaille (SO BIGGER), among others
- Brass band parades in the streets and squares
- Evening — Concert Prairie Mairie · Festival village, Place Georgin
- Participatory proposals and installations at the festival village
Sunday, June 14, 2026 — Closing
- Day of shows in the city center and along the banks of the Moselle
- 5:15 PM — Brass band battle · Festive musical confrontation between the 6 festival brass bands, parading through the city center
- Closing show on the banks of the Moselle
In total: 20 companies, 6 brass bands, 59 performances, and 4 concerts spread over three days, in about twenty locations in Épinal city center (squares, esplanades, schools, banks of the Moselle, covered market).
The hour-by-hour and location-by-location program is regularly updated on the official website ruesetcies.fr and on the festival's Facebook page.
Highlights Rues et Cies 2026
- 43rd edition of France's oldest street art festival (created in 1984)
- New artistic direction led by Frédéric Flusin and Nicolas Sion (L'Étincelle ProD company)
- Theme « The Crossing » with the Moselle as the common thread
- Tightrope walker Aurélien Prost above the Moselle for the opening (Friday 8:30 PM)
- 20 companies, 6 brass bands, 59 performances, and 4 concerts over three days
- Brass band battle for the closing (Sunday 5:15 PM)
- Concerts by Mouse DTC, Louise XIV, Prairie Mairie at the festival village
- Free and open admission to all shows
Prices Rues et Cies 2026
Practical information — Rues et Cies
Practical Information
Access
By car: Épinal is accessible via the A31 motorway (Épinal exit). Free and paid parking available in the city center.
By train: Épinal SNCF station, a 10-minute walk from the city center and performance venues.
Prices
All shows are completely free and accessible to everyone, without reservation.
On-site
Festival village with food, drinks, participatory workshops, and a meeting space with artists. Shows take place outdoors in the streets of the city center.
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Where does it take place — Rues et Cies
Centre-ville d'Épinal
Centre-ville d'Épinal — Village du festival : place Georgin (devant le marché couvert), 88000 Épinal