Circus Village #22 – Contemporary Circus Festival in Paris

From 11 to 20 september 2026

From September 11 to 20, 2026, the Circus Village returns to the Pelouse de Reuilly, in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, for its 22nd edition, dedicated to creation, encounters, and the diversity of circus arts. Organized by La Coopérative De Rue et De Cirque (2r2c), this festival has become, over the years, one of the essential events for contemporary circus in France, a place where emerging artists and established companies, ambitious creations and shows accessible to all, come together.

Born from a somewhat audacious gamble over twenty years ago, the Circus Village has established itself as a veritable ephemeral village nestled between town and country, where the public is invited to take its time. Under the trees of the Pelouse de Reuilly, several big tops, a yurt, outdoor performances, a caravan transformed into a performance space, a bar, and areas for food and relaxation create a welcoming atmosphere, perfect for spending a whole day or evening. The festival's spirit is simple: to discover, exchange, share, and experience the circus in a new way.

This 2026 edition brings together 10 companies, 35 performances, 4 big tops, and several free outdoor events. The program offers a true snapshot of contemporary circus, blending acrobatics, juggling, clowning, theater, music, dance, aerial arts, performance art, and contemporary writing. Each show has its own unique world, but all share the same goal: to tell the story of our time, to question our relationship with others, and to offer sensitive, inventive, and profoundly human artistic forms.

Among the works presented, the public can discover Santa, ce qu’il me reste de la Corse (Santa, What Remains of Corsica) by Pauline Dau, an autofiction blending songs, hula-hoop, music, and humor around the quest for identity. With IGNIS, the Collectif Sismique and Nicolas Fraiseau offer a clown and fire show where poetry is born from the flames, while Si c'est sûr c'est pas peut-être (If It's Sure, It's Not Maybe), by Compagnie Takakrôar, invites spectators into a yurt for a tender and offbeat reflection on doubt, fragility, and living together. Galapiat Cirque presents Préviens les autres (Warn the Others), a committed and profoundly human show featuring a former lighthouse keeper that blends acrobatics, humor, and environmental activism.

The second week notably features Ki No Nagare, a new 2026 creation by Collectif Malunés, presented as a French premiere. Inspired by aikido and aerial techniques, this piece brings two acrobats into dialogue in a physical and musical performance accompanied by the rhythms of Japanese taiko drums. The festival also hosts Le Témoignage de la Chimère, a new creation by the company Charge Maximale de Rupture, where three acrobats move around a single aerial strap to explore the bonds that unite human beings and the building of a community.

The Circus Village also offers several free outdoor shows. Faune, by Compagnie Libertivore, transforms deer antlers into circus props to explore our relationship with living beings and metamorphosis. El Dorado, conceived by Nicanor de Elia, reinvents the art of juggling by making the bodies themselves the objects of manipulation, in a spectacular physical performance. With Passages, contortionist Alice Rende moves within a transparent box where each movement becomes a reflection on limits, confinement, and freedom.

Younger attendees, as well as those curious to discover circus arts, can participate in several workshops organized during the festival. Dany Tran, from Cirque Fier·e·s, will lead two aerial silks workshops open to adults aged 16 and over, accessible to all levels. Children aged 7 to 12 can learn acrobatics, balance, juggling, and various circus disciplines in a workshop led by Océane Maignan-Watson.

The festival also offers several pricing options to encourage participation. Performances under the big top are offered at €20, €16, or €12, depending on the spectator's circumstances, while several shows remain completely free. The "1 Day – 2 Big Top" Pass allows you to see two shows on the same day at a discounted price. During the first week, it combines Santa, ce qu'il me reste de la Corse (Santa, What Remains of Corsica) with a second show of your choice (IGNIS, Si c'est sûr c'est pas peut-être (If It's Sure, It's Not Maybe), or Préviens les autres (Warn the Others)). The second week, it combines Le Témoignage de la Chimère (The Testimony of the Chimera) with IGNIS, Si c'est sûr c'est pas peut-être (If It's Sure, It's Not Maybe), or Ki No Nagare.

Beyond the performances, the Circus Village embodies a true art of living. The public is invited to enjoy the outdoor spaces, the bar and food service provided by Le Cirke, to arrive early, stay after the shows, meet the artists, and share convivial moments in a welcoming environment, accessible to people with reduced mobility and easily served by the metro and tram. The entrance is on Place du Cardinal Lavigerie, a few minutes from the Porte Dorée station.

For ten days, the Circus Village transforms the Pelouse de Reuilly into a veritable laboratory of contemporary circus, where creativity, poetry, physical prowess, and emotion converge to offer a unique artistic experience. Whether you come with family, friends, or as a passionate lover of live performance, this 22nd edition promises an immersion in the heart of a generous, inventive, and profoundly vibrant circus.

Circus Village #22