Balls at full speed

Presentation

The Balles à Fond association was created in January 1996 in Quimper with the aim of facilitating access for as many people as possible to a cultural activity that promotes personal development, self-improvement, and connection with others. The school champions an approach to circus arts in which technical training is accompanied by values of respect , solidarity , autonomy , initiative , and creativity .

The Circus House "Ty Ar Sirk"

Since 2014, its main activities have taken place at the "Ty Ar Sirk" Circus House, a facility built by the City of Quimper in the heart of the Kermoysan district and made available to the association. The building is specifically designed for circus arts and includes two equipped spaces: a room of approximately 70 m2 with a 7 m ceiling height and a second of 220 m2 reaching 10 m , which allows for the practice of aerial disciplines.

Public, staff and team

The school currently welcomes approximately 290 enrolled students, starting from age 3. However, its activities extend beyond regular classes: over 800 additional people are introduced to the sport each year through partnerships with schools, associations, and special education facilities. The professional team comprises seven employees , in addition to the volunteers actively involved in the school's activities.

Educational courses and workshops

Learning begins in early childhood. Parent-Child workshops are designed for preschool and kindergarten children and allow them to discover the circus with an adult in a fun and playful environment. These are followed by the Galipette workshops, and then by the Salto program, which progressively supports children from third grade through middle school.

• Parent-Child Workshops — for preschool and kindergarten.
• Galipette Workshops.
• Salto program — from CE2 to middle school.

The practice is truly multidisciplinary. The information published by the City of Quimper details in particular aerial techniques with fixed and swinging trapeze, silks, hoop and Chinese pole, balances with wire, unicycle, balance ball and rolla-bolla, as well as juggling and acrobatics.

• Aerial techniques : fixed and swinging trapeze, silks, hoop, Chinese pole.
• Balances : tightrope, unicycle, balance ball, rolla-bolla.
• Other disciplines : juggling, acrobatics.

Progression path

After the initial introductory levels, Balles à Fond offers programs that allow young people to become more involved. The Promotion program includes four levels starting from the third grade (CE2) and can include two weekly sessions for advanced levels. A true advanced training program, accessible from high school onwards, involves three training sessions per week, on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

Artistic dimension and encounters

This in-depth work also includes an artistic and performance dimension. Students in the advanced training program present their work at the Circonova festival at the Théâtre de Cornouaille. The school also actively participates in meetings of the national federation network: Balles à Fond was present at the FFEC Brittany 2026 Regional Meetings, held from May 14th to 16th at Cirque Métropole in Treffendel.

Adults

Adults are not forgotten. Workshops are offered for those 17 and older , with two possible time slots per week. The " Move Your Circus " activity, accessible from age 16 , uses circus techniques to improve fitness, mobility, and coordination.

Accessibility and inclusion

One of Balles à Fond's key characteristics is its commitment to a circus accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities. The organization is among the schools highlighted by the FFEC in its documentary series on " Circus as a Tool ," which explores the concepts of adapted, inclusive, and social circus.

Arts education projects and partnerships

This approach is reflected in arts and cultural education projects. The school works with students from preschool through high school, as well as with leisure and holiday centers, special education institutions, sheltered workshops (ESATs), and other organizations. Projects are developed in collaboration with teachers or educators, taking into account the specific objectives of each institution.

• Interventions from kindergarten to high school.
• Actions with leisure and holiday centers.
• Interventions in medical-educational institutes, ESATs and other structures.

Balles à Fond views circus arts as a physical activity, but also as a creative and social one. Their projects aim to develop self-confidence, imagination, and the ability to express oneself in front of others, while also valuing effort, respect, and solidarity. This educational dimension is particularly relevant to your directory, as it demonstrates that school is not limited to a focus on leisure or performance.

Internships and holidays

During the shorter school holidays, the school also organizes training courses as part of the Atout Sport program. These courses allow students to discover or further develop their skills in acrobatics, aerial disciplines, juggling, balances and expressive games.

A place for creation and residencies

The Circus House also serves as a creative hub and a meeting place for professional artists. It hosts companies for training, rehearsals, or residencies. Balles à Fond considers this professional presence a valuable educational resource: students can meet artists, while teachers enrich their knowledge through contact with the visiting companies.

30 years — 2026

The year 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Balles à Fond. The association celebrated this anniversary with a festival on May 30 and 31, 2026 , combining student performances, professional offerings, music, cabarets and circus creations.

Conclusion

Balles à Fond is a particularly comprehensive circus school in Quimper and the Finistère region: early childhood development, amateur practice, progression and advanced training programs, adult workshops, courses, school and special education programs, artistic creation, and hosting professional companies. Its mission is clearly rooted in the values of community education and inclusive circus, with a strong emphasis on individual progress and collective creation.