Circus Arts Discovery Workshop – National Circus School of Châtellerault – August 2026

From 17 to 21 august 2026

Want to discover the circus arts or prepare for a future career in professional training? The introductory course at the National Circus School of Châtellerault (ENCC) is a five-day immersion specially designed for young people aged 13 and over who want to experience a real adventure within a leading contemporary circus school.

For a full week, trainees experience the conditions of a professional school and discover the richness of circus disciplines through varied, demanding, and accessible instruction. The program includes core classes dedicated to circus fundamentals such as acrobatics, partner acrobatics, and balancing, supplemented by dance and/or acting classes, essential for the development of a well-rounded artist. Each participant can also practice one or more circus techniques according to their interests, skill level, and the opportunities offered by the school during the session.

Throughout the program, the young participants are supervised by the permanent instructors of the National Circus School of Châtellerault, assisted by two activity leaders who manage group life, evenings, and nights for the residents staying in the dormitory. The supervision prioritizes a supportive yet demanding approach, allowing each participant to progress at their own pace while discovering the realities of the circus artist's profession.

Participants can choose between three options tailored to their needs: full board with accommodation, half board including lunch, or external for the course only. Residents staying at the Gîte des Chevaliers, a partner of the school located near Châtellerault, are accommodated. Transportation between the accommodation and the school is provided by local public transport or by ENCC vehicles.

The program is designed to facilitate the participation of young people from all over France. The school can provide transportation between Châtellerault train station and the internship site on Monday morning, and then back to the station on Friday afternoon. Once registration is confirmed, the team will contact the families directly to arrange these arrangements.

Beyond technical discovery, this workshop offers a true immersion into the life of a professional circus school. Participants experience the work ethic, artistic demands, physical preparation, and collective spirit that characterize contemporary circus arts. It's an excellent opportunity to confirm a vocation, prepare for future applications to specialized schools, or simply enjoy a week of intensive practice in a friendly, creative, and passionate atmosphere.

The National Circus School of Châtellerault (ENCC)

Founded in 1995, the National Circus School of Châtellerault (ENCC) is today one of the most renowned French institutions for circus arts training. Located on the site of the former Manu factory in Châtellerault, in the Vienne department, it has been supporting young artists for nearly thirty years towards careers in the performing arts by developing a pedagogy that combines technical excellence, creativity, artistic expression and exposure to the professional world.

The school is particularly renowned for its General Baccalaureate specializing in Circus Arts, offered in partnership with the Marcelin Berthelot high school. This program, among the first of its kind in France, allows students to pursue a general education while benefiting from intensive training in circus disciplines.

The ENCC also offers a Preparatory Class for Higher Education (CPES Circus Arts), designed for young people wishing to enter the top French and European circus schools. This program prepares students for the entrance exams of the most prestigious institutions in the field and supports them in developing their artistic project.

Alongside these professional courses, the school develops a significant range of weekly courses, discovery workshops, lifelong learning, open training, cultural activities, artist residencies and shows, making ENCC a true place for the creation, transmission and dissemination of circus arts.

Students work in facilities specifically designed for professional practice and discover a wide range of disciplines, including:

acrobatics,
acrobatic lifts,
balance,
juggling,
aerial fabric
trapeze,
aerial rope
aerial straps,
Cyr wheel
German wheel
wire,
Chinese pole,
trampoline,
clown,
acting,
dance,
physical preparation.

The school regularly hosts resident companies, allowing students to interact with professional artists and observe the various stages of creating a contemporary performance. This close connection with the professional world is one of the institution's greatest strengths.

ENCC is also a member of FEDEC (European Federation of Professional Circus Schools), an international network of over eighty training institutions. This membership fosters educational exchanges, European projects, international meetings, and mobility opportunities for students.

Each year, the school organizes the Les Insouciants Festival, which showcases the work of students, guest artists, and resident companies. It also participates in numerous national and international projects that contribute to the promotion of contemporary circus.

Thanks to its educational approach, the quality of its instruction, and its commitment to artistic creation, the National Circus School of Châtellerault has established itself as a major player in circus training in France. Today, it serves as a privileged entry point for young people wishing to discover the circus arts, develop their skills, or consider a professional career in this demanding and exciting world.

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National Circus School of Châtellerault