CRAC of Lomme

Lomme Regional Center for Circus Arts (CRAC de Lomme)

The CRAC of Lomme is one of the major establishments dedicated to circus arts in the Hauts-de-France . Located at 16 rue du Château d'Isenghien in Lomme, a town associated with Lille, it develops a particularly comprehensive project combining amateur practices , preparatory training , professional certification training , pedagogical training , artistic creation , residency hosting , performance dissemination and resource centre .

This location is particularly suited to the project: the site brings together varied spaces allowing daily learning, professional training, residencies, creations and performances to coexist.

The history of the institution is closely linked to the development of contemporary circus education in France. A decisive step was taken in 2000 when the Centre welcomed its first class of students in professional training. By 2001 , the institution had 950 members , 50 weekly classes , and 25 instructors , and hosted the first National Circus School Meetings, bringing together some thirty schools and approximately 250 young people.

This dual identity — a major school for amateur practice and a professional training center — remains today one of the main characteristics of CRAC.

A circus school for children as young as 2

For the 2026-2027 season, amateur activities begin as early as 2-3 years old with 45-minute motor skills development workshops. Groups are formed according to age, then progress from childhood to adolescence before moving on to adult, advanced, and specialized programs.

• Multidisciplinary approach: acrobatics , juggling , balance , object balancing , aerial disciplines and acting .
• Internships during school holidays covering these same subject areas.

As their level increases, students can move towards more specialized programs. For 2026-2027, CRAC offers, in particular, multidisciplinary advanced training, single-discipline advanced training in aerial arts or unicycle, a performance group, as well as a specific juggling course accessible from 6th grade to adulthood.

Adults: a very extensive range of services

From age 17, adults have access to a wide range of courses at this amateur circus school, covering multidisciplinary arts, aerial work, acrobatic lifts, Chinese pole, and open wire workshop. CRAC also offers a group for seniors.

• Multidisciplinary courses: Tuesday or Friday from 8pm to 10pm .
• Air travel: Monday or Wednesday from 8pm to 10pm .
• Acrobatic lifts: Thursday from 8pm to 10pm (reserved for established duos or trios).
• Chinese pole: Thursday from 8pm to 10pm .
• Open yarn workshop: Mondays from 8pm to 10pm .
• Seniors group: Mondays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Improvement and creation

The most advanced practitioners can, upon recommendation from CRAC, join advanced training groups (multidisciplinary, aerial, unicycle) and a performance group that meets twice a week. This progression bridges the gap between amateur practice and a more intensive artistic project.

CRAC understands contemporary circus as an artistic discipline open to poetry , theatre , dance , musical creation and scenography , while retaining the dimensions of technical mastery, prowess and self-transcendence.

Preparatory Class for Higher Education – CPES

Since 2018, CRAC has offered a structured two-year preparatory program (CPES) for individuals aged 16 and over who wish to pursue circus arts as a career. Sufficient acrobatic, circus, and artistic experience is required and assessed during the entrance exams; a high school diploma (baccalaureate) is not mandatory. Students have full student status.

• Working hours: minimum 25 hours per week for two years.
• Objective: preparation for entrance exams to higher education and professional circus training programs in France and abroad.

Results published: for the 2021-2023 cohort, 71.5% of students entered a higher circus school and 28.5% a professional training program; for the 2022-2024 cohort, 60% entered a higher school and 20% a professional training program.

The current class began in September 2025 and will complete their studies in July 2027. The next application period will open in January 2027 .

This CPES fully justifies a NetJuggler listing in Professional & Preparatory Training .

Professional training course "Circus and movement artist"

CRAC is the certifying body for a three-year professional training program leading to the title "Circus and Movement Artist," a level 5 professional certification (equivalent to two years of post-secondary education) , registered with the RNCP (National Directory of Professional Certifications). CRAC has been awarding this certification since the decision of May 31, 2023 .

Teacher training

The CRAC also trains teachers and instructors in circus arts, notably through the TIAC – Titre d'Initiateur aux Arts du Cirque (Circus Arts Initiator Qualification) , a federal program designed for educational transmission. Furthermore, the CRAC has contributed to structuring the professions within circus arts education and established a BPJEPS (Brevet Professionnel de la Jeunesse, de l'Éducation Populaire et du Sport) circus activities training program as early as 2008 .

A center for creation and residency

CRAC supports emerging and established artists and companies through residencies, co-productions, rehearsals, creative studios, and encounters with students and the public. This close professional relationship provides valuable educational opportunities: amateur and professional students alike frequent a space where performances are truly created.

The history of CRAC is linked to several landmark productions. In 2005 , the center hosted the premiere of Laissez-Porter , the first creation of what would become Compagnie XY, bringing together four students from the professional training program and two professors. This venture was followed by Le Grand C and then Il n'est pas encore minuit , which featured many former CRAC students.

A recognized resource center

In December 2010 , CRAC became the first establishment to sign an ERPAC agreement with the FFEC – Regional Establishment for Circus Arts Pedagogy .

• Establishment of a documentation center on circus arts.
• Support for project leaders.
• Organization of professional meetings and conferences.
• Dissemination of information and participation in discussions on the evolution of circus pedagogy.

Circus workshops during the holidays

Children aged 5 to 13 can discover CRAC through workshops organized during school holidays, running full days from 9am to 5pm . Beginners are welcome.

• 5-7 years: multidisciplinary workshops (acrobatics, aerial arts, juggling, balance, object balancing, acting).
• 8-13 years: each week has a dominant theme, while covering the different circus families.
• Teen workshop: organized in July.

1. October 19-23, 2026: dominant aerial conditions.
2. October 26-30, 2026: Juggling focus.
3. December 21-24, 2026: around acrobatics.
4. December 28-31, 2026: around balance.

School interventions and groups

CRAC works with schools and groups, either at its Lomme location or at the requesting institution when a sufficiently large and open space is available. These activities contribute to the association's mission of democratizing circus culture.

Ultimately, the Lomme Regional Circus Arts Centre is much more than a school: it's a true circus ecosystem where a child can discover the circus at age 2, progress in multidisciplinary groups, specialize (juggling, aerial arts, unicycle), join a CPES (Preparatory Class for Higher Education) from age 16, and then, depending on their project, pursue a professional, certified artist training program. This continuity between amateur practice, skill development, preparation for higher education, professionalization, pedagogy, creation, and performance makes it one of the most comprehensive institutions in your directory.