Antics – Circus School

Antics – Circus School

Pitreries – Circus School is an association located in Solliès-Pont, in the Var, whose history began in 1997. For nearly three decades, it has become one of the important structures for amateur practice of circus arts in the department, with more than 450 members recorded recently.

A school created by Patricia "Patou" Reynier-Peugniez

The history of Pitreries is closely linked to its founder, Patricia Reynier-Peugniez, nicknamed Patou .

Before dedicating herself to teaching, Patricia had a distinguished professional career in circus arts. Trained at the National Circus Arts Centre, she specialized in trapeze and won a silver medal at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in 1991. Her career led her to work with major international companies and organizations before returning to her native Gapeau Valley.

She then decided to pass on her experience and in June 1997 , in Belgentier, created the Pitreries Circus School. Faced with the rapid growth in the number of members, the association moved in 2001 to Solliès-Pont, to 2 rue de Strasbourg.

One of the major amateur practice schools in the Var region

Pitreries has experienced significant growth. In 2020 , it already had 390 members and was presented as the largest circus school in the Var and one of the main associations in Solliès-Pont.

A school accredited by the FFEC

Pitreries holds the Quality Accreditation of the French Federation of Circus Schools, under number 83178. It also holds the DDJS accreditation 83-JEP-04122-35 .

The school is thus part of a structured approach to teaching amateur practice, with particular attention paid to supervision, pedagogy and safety.

Teaching and disciplines

Acrobatics and lifts

The training offered by Pitreries covers the main branches of circus arts. In acrobatics, participants can discover and develop their skills in ground acrobatics as well as static and dynamic acrobatic lifts.

Patricia Reynier-Peugniez's personal background, originally from gymnastics, has notably contributed to developing this technical dimension within the school.

Juggling and object manipulation

Juggling is taught with a wide variety of equipment, allowing students to discover different techniques before progressing according to their desires and abilities.

• Balls
• Clubs
• Rings
• Chinese plates
• Devil sticks
• Diabolos

Balances on objects

Balances also constitute an important part of Pitreries' teaching. These disciplines develop coordination, concentration, body control, and perseverance while maintaining the playful dimension inherent in discovering the circus.

• Balance balls
• Barrels
• Unicycle
• Thread
• Stilts

Aerial disciplines

Given the background of its founder, aerial disciplines naturally occupy an important place in the history of Pitreries. Regular courses could be supplemented by themed workshops allowing for greater focus on certain specialties.

• Trapeze
• Smooth rope
• Aerial hoop
• Aerial fabric
• Chinese pole

A practice adapted to age and abilities

One of Pitreries' principles is to offer activities adapted to each individual's abilities rather than a one-size-fits-all model. The school has welcomed a particularly wide range of participants, from toddlers to adults, with year-round courses and holiday workshops.

This approach allows both a fun introduction to the circus and a real improvement for practitioners wishing to go further.

Interventions in schools

Pitreries has also long been developing interventions in schools, particularly in preschools and primary schools. Circus arts are then used as educational tools to work on motor skills, coordination, cooperation and expression.

Adapted circus and inclusion

This is a particularly important dimension in the identity of Pitreries. The association has developed a welcoming environment for people with motor or cognitive difficulties and has worked around adapted circus arts and inclusion.

This experience gradually led to the creation of a true Circus Therapy Center, Pitreries, using circus arts as tools for well-being, balance, and inclusion. The project thus combined the artistic, educational, social, and therapeutic dimensions of the circus.

Shows and an artistic dimension

The students are not solely focused on technical learning. Creating shows is also part of the educational project. The instructors participate in the creation and preparation of the acts for the end-of-year shows, allowing the students to gradually discover the creative process and the presentation to an audience.

Just recently, the town of Solliès-Pont presented the shows of the young people of Pitreries, supervised in particular by Patricia Peugniez and Gwendoline Coulet .

The Art'is Show

Pitreries also led to the creation of a group of teenagers called Art'is Show, which became an amateur troupe. This project allowed the most dedicated young people to further develop their skills, showcase their school at events, and share their passion for circus arts.

Some students from Pitreries then continued their studies in professional establishments, notably at the ENACR in Rosny-sous-Bois and at the Jules Verne Circus School in Amiens.

A family adventure

The story of Pitreries is also a family story. Alongside Patricia, her sister Marie-Reine Reynier played a major role in the development of the association. First a member of the board of directors, then president for about ten years, she later became the school's administrative director.

The two sisters thus contributed greatly to the development and sustainability of the school: Patricia on the pedagogical and artistic dimensions, Marie-Reine on the organization and administration.

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