Acroballe Circus

Acroballe Circus — a non-profit circus school

A departmental project

From its inception, the project was conceived on a departmental scale. The objective is not simply to offer classes in Nevers, but to enable residents of the Nièvre department to access circus arts regardless of their location. This commitment explains the importance of external outreach and the partnerships developed with numerous local organizations.

A popular education association

Acroballe Circus defines its project around a dual dimension: learning circus skills , but also developing interpersonal skills . Circus arts are thus seen as a tool to contribute to the motor, physiological, psychological, and social development of the individual. Technical progress is important, but it is accompanied by work on confidence, perseverance, relationships with others, and the ability to find one's place within a group.

A school open to very different audiences

One of Acroballe Circus's core principles is to offer accessible activities " for everyone ." The school welcomes children, teenagers, and adults, but also works with people with disabilities and those facing specific social challenges. The association's website indicates that hundreds of people participate in its activities every week or on an occasional basis.

• Children
• Teenagers
• Adults
• People with disabilities
• People experiencing particular social situations

The interventions are carried out by qualified professionals who adapt their teaching methods to the specific needs of the people being cared for and the areas in which they work.

Juggling

Juggling is one of the major disciplines taught. Beyond learning tricks, juggling helps develop coordination, precision, and perseverance.

• Balls
• Bouncing balls
• Scarves
• Clubs
• Rings
• Other repurposed objects that can be thrown and caught

Object manipulation

Acroballe Circus distinguishes juggling from object manipulation, allowing for the exploration of a wide variety of circus props. These disciplines particularly require fine motor skills and coordination, while allowing each student to discover the objects with which they have the most affinity.

• Diabolo
• Devil's stick
• Bolas
• Chinese plates
• Cigar boxes
• Hat handling

Individual and group acrobatics

Acrobatics is a fundamental element of the school. It can be practiced individually or in groups and allows students to develop physical qualities such as flexibility and muscle tone, as well as relational aspects like self-confidence and trust in partners. Group practice uses circus arts as a tool for cooperation and mutual support.

Balance on objects

Students can explore various disciplines involving balance on objects. These apparatuses allow them to work on proprioception, body control, and, of course, balance. They also lead practitioners to gradually become comfortable with instability and overcome certain apprehensions.

• Balance ball
• American Roll
• balance wire
• Unicycle

Aerial disciplines

When the venue's characteristics allow, Acroballe Circus offers aerial disciplines. The apparatus used includes the trapeze, aerial hoop, rope, and aerial silks. These disciplines combine strength, flexibility, body control, and height management.

The phrase " where the place allows " is important: the school intervenes in many different structures that do not necessarily have the equipment allowing the installation of aerial apparatus.

Stage performance and artistic expression

Learning doesn't stop at physical and technical disciplines. Stage performance is one of the activities offered, allowing students to work on body and facial expressions, as well as the ability to present themselves in front of an audience. The goal is to help participants gain confidence and express themselves in front of others, in an environment that the school strives to make relaxed and non-judgmental.

A school that shines throughout the Nièvre region

One of Acroballe Circus's distinctive features is its extensive outreach program. Rather than concentrating all its activities in Nevers, the association works in various towns and villages throughout the department to directly engage with local audiences. This approach aligns with its founding mission: to enable residents to participate in circus arts even when they live far from a specialized school.

• Saint-Saulge
• The Machine
• Saint-Benin-d'Azy
• Cercy-la-Tour
• La Charité-sur-Loire
• Brinon-sur-Beuvron
• Nevers (numerous interventions)

Interventions in schools

Schools are among the association's partners. In Nevers, Acroballe Circus specifically mentions its work with the Sainte-Bernadette school and a special education class at the Collège des Loges. These initiatives use circus arts in an educational context different from weekly classes and allow the association to reach children and young people who might not otherwise attend a circus school.

Actions aimed at early childhood

Acroballe Circus also works with toddlers. The Nevers City crèche is one of the facilities mentioned. The diversity of circus techniques allows them to create sessions adapted to the motor skills and development of very young children.

Circus and disability

Inclusion of people with disabilities is an integral part of Acroballe Circus's mission. The association states that this group participates in its activities and specifically mentions its work with a specialized care home in La Charité-sur-Loire. This approach reflects a commitment to adapting activities to the specific needs of each individual rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all model.

Interventions with specific audiences

Acroballe Circus's scope of activity is particularly broad. In Nevers, the association works with the Youth Justice Service, a special education class, and also at the Nevers prison. It also mentions its work with the traveling community. Circus arts thus become a medium for encounter and expression that can be used far beyond the traditional framework of a recreational activity.

• Youth Judicial Protection
• Transition class
• Nevers Prison
• Actions with Travellers

Internships to deepen the practice

In addition to its regular activities, Acroballe Circus organizes workshops, particularly during school holidays. These workshops provide more time to discover or delve deeper into different disciplines. In April 2026, for example, the school organized a two-day workshop in Nevers for children aged 8 and up. Locations may vary depending on the projects and the technical requirements of the activity.

A school integrated into the FFEC network

Acroballe Circus is a member of the French Federation of Circus Schools (FFEC) and belongs to the FREC Bourgogne. The FFEC currently lists the school under accreditation number 58295 and indicates Bruno Laronde as the contact person. Bruno Laronde is also listed as the contact person for the FREC Bourgogne, demonstrating Acroballe Circus's commitment to developing the regional network.

Meetings between circus schools

The school regularly participates in meetings organized by the federal network. These events allow students to step outside their usual environment, discover other schools and practices, and share their experience with other young circus artists.

1. 2025: Acroballe Circus hosted part of the FREC Bourgogne Regional Meetings in Nevers — four schools represented and 116 participants around workshops, meetings and presentations of acts.
2. 2026: Attendance at the Burgundy Regional Meetings organized at Or Piste in Dijon — four schools and 102 participants gathered.

A family-run circus school deeply rooted in its local community

Acroballe Circus emphasizes its human, family-oriented, and community-focused approach. The association views the school as a place where not only artistic skills and passions are developed, but also relationships are forged among participants. Founded in 2005 to develop circus arts in the Nièvre region, it now occupies a unique position within the area. Its mission combines technical training, artistic creation, community education, inclusion, and local community engagement.

From juggling to aerial disciplines, from acrobatics to stage performance, from regular classes to interventions in schools, medical-social settings or prisons, Acroballe Circus uses circus arts as a tool enabling everyone to develop their abilities, express themselves and share a collective experience.