Ball on the Bond

The Ball at the Bond

La Balle au Bond is a circus arts school located in Beaune, Côte-d'Or , and has been active for over 25 years in the Beaune region. It currently has around 145 members and provides approximately 22 hours of instruction per week, under a big top dedicated to circus arts discovery, learning, and creation.

The association is accredited by the FFEC (French Federation of Catholic Schools) under number 21242 and belongs to the FREC Bourgogne (Regional Federation of Catholic Schools of Burgundy). Its involvement in the federation's network is significant: in May 2026, La Balle au Bond was one of four schools gathered in Dijon for the Burgundy Regional Meetings, which brought together 102 participants. It also presented the Esperanza project at the FFEC National Meetings in 2025.

Baby (3-5 years old)

For 3-5 year olds , the Baby group provides a first introduction to the circus through play, songs, physical expression and imagination. The work aims in particular to develop motor skills , confidence and socialization .

Small Seeds (6-7 years old)

Between 6 and 7 years old , the Little Seeds continue this discovery through adapted games, challenges and learning to develop agility, balance and creativity.

Young Shoots (8-10 years old)

Children aged 8-10 , grouped in the "Young Shoots" classes, begin to delve deeper into circus techniques. The school explicitly mentions acrobatics and juggling among the disciplines explored at this age. The goal is both to develop technical skills and to boost the confidence of the young participants.

Teen Leisure Activities (ages 11 and up)

From age 11 , several options become available. The Teen Leisure program, accessible up to age 17, remains multidisciplinary and combines acrobatics, juggling, balance, aerial arts, and performing arts. Technical training is accompanied by work on creativity and teamwork .

Off-Piste

Young people with prior experience can join the Off-Piste program, dedicated to skill development. The goal is to refine existing techniques, explore new disciplines, and develop a more personal approach within a group setting.

Creative Journey

The next level is represented by the Creative Pathway, designed for highly experienced young people aged 11 to 17. With two weekly sessions and specific workshops scheduled throughout the year, this program delves deeper into technique, act creation, artistic research, and stage performance.

This focus on creativity is evident in the national federation's events. In 2025, La Balle au Bond presented "Esperanza" at the FFEC National Meetings. The school had already participated in the federation's events with creations by its students in previous years.

Adults and free practice

Adults aged 18 and over have access to courses that allow both beginners and those wishing to continue practicing. Acrobatics, juggling, and other circus techniques are covered in a way that blends physical activity, creativity, and the joy of participation. Open practice sessions are also offered on Fridays for independent adults with prior circus experience.

La Balle au Bond's educational approach views circus arts as a fusion of physical activity and culture. The school aims to impart not only technical skills, but also the history and diversity of the circus, as well as values such as perseverance , pushing personal limits , and teamwork . The program evolves according to the age and development of the students.

The school also develops a dedicated adapted circus program called "It's possible!" These workshops are aimed particularly at people with disabilities and those under the care of child protection services. They are led by Jérôme Grias, who is trained in social and sociocultural activities and holds a BPJEPS (Brevet Professionnel de la Jeunesse, de l'Éducation Populaire et du Sport) in Circus Arts.

The project is developed in collaboration with the teams supporting the participants to determine objectives that align with their observed needs. La Balle au Bond emphasizes creating a safe environment—physically, psychologically, and emotionally—as well as fostering group dynamics, collaboration, and the values of community education. These sessions are offered on Thursdays , and a quote is available upon request.

In addition to classes, the school organizes workshops during school holidays, offering the opportunity to discover circus arts or to further develop existing skills. The summer 2026 workshops were so successful that the association opened an additional introductory workshop from August 17th to 21st, 2026 , after the initial sessions were fully booked.

La Balle au Bond is also a local cultural player. In particular, it organizes the Fête de la BAB , a major event dedicated to circus arts. The 2026 edition took place from April 7th to 18th and featured two professional shows, ten amateur shows created by student groups, a hip-hop performance, an open stage, a DJ, and workshops open to the public.

The association is therefore not limited to technical learning: it connects students with live performance, creation and performance in front of an audience, while also welcoming professional artists during its events.

Registration is open for the 2026-2027 season and the school has published a new schedule. Classes range from Baby Circus to advanced courses, adult classes, and open practice.

Thanks to its highly structured program, La Balle au Bond is a leading circus school in Beaune and Burgundy, capable of guiding children from their first experience at age 3 through to advanced creative training in adolescence. Its participation in FFEC events, its creative work, its workshops, and its tailored circus program further enhance the school's appeal for inclusion in the NetJuggler directory.