Circus Odyssey

The Circus Odyssey

L'Odyssée du Cirque is a Regional Circus Arts Centre located in Échenans-sous-Mont-Vaudois , in Haute-Saône , very close to Héricourt. The centre develops a particularly comprehensive project around the teaching, training, creation and promotion of circus arts.

History

The association's history began in 1987 in Belfort with the creation of "Ouverture 2001," initially focused on providing academic and extracurricular support for children in Roppe. From 1996 onward, the project gradually evolved towards circus arts, notably with the creation of a themed leisure center and a caravan travel project. The association later became "2001, L'Odyssée du Cirque" (2001, The Circus Odyssey), and subsequently developed the Regional Circus Arts Center, now located in Échenans-sous-Mont-Vaudois.

Values and educational project

L'Odyssée du Cirque's work is rooted in the values of popular education and the educational project of the French Federation of Circus Schools. It advocates for a school accessible to all, respectful of individuals, and attentive to their health and safety. Circus practice is considered there as an artistic activity, an educational tool, and a space for developing creativity , autonomy , confidence , and personal expression .

Amateur practice school

The amateur circus school welcomes a very wide audience from the age of 3. From September to June, weekly workshops allow participants to discover the technical and artistic basics of the main circus disciplines: aerial disciplines, juggling, object balancing, acrobatics and artistic expression.

The most experienced students can access advanced workshops dedicated to a particular discipline. Some of these groups, especially for 11-17 year olds , have prerequisites. Instruction is not limited to technical skills: students also prepare acts, work on stagecraft, and participate in the production of shows.

Equipment and materials

The Circus Odyssey boasts exceptionally well-developed facilities. Its site includes a training hall of approximately 700 m² equipped for aerial disciplines, trampoline, Chinese pole, and acrobatics, as well as a dance studio, a physical conditioning area, and several big tops. One is dedicated to performances and rehearsals, while another can accommodate theoretical training sessions.

• Training hall of approximately 700 m2 equipped for aerial disciplines and acrobatics.
• Dance hall.
• Physical preparation area.
• Several tents: one for shows/rehearsals, one for theoretical training.

The equipment includes many approved aerial apparatus, juggling and balance equipment, acrobatics equipment as well as the mats, lanyards and safety devices necessary for the different practices.

Early childhood — Circomômes

Early childhood is also welcomed with the Circomômes workshops. These parent-child sessions use circus games to promote discovery, motor skills and the development of psychomotor skills in a group setting.

Teaching staff

• Laure Oudin-Sotty — holder of the BPJEPS Circus Activities, specializing in aerial arts and danced hula-hoop.
• Jean-Olivier Russo — holder of the BIAC and the BPJEPS Loisirs Tous Publics, develops the thread, slackline, clowning expression and juggling.
• Alexis Oudin — holder of the BPJEPS Circus Activities and the UC direction, specializing in acrobatics and hand balancing.

Internships

Workshops are another important aspect of the activity. Throughout the year, particularly during school holidays, L'Odyssée offers introductory and advanced training days and weeks. These workshops can culminate in the creation of a show presented to families.

Training

L'Odyssée du Cirque also distinguishes itself through its training activities. Its training organization is aimed at individuals wishing to practice, lead, teach, or supervise circus arts. Training courses may cover pedagogy, circus techniques, artistic expression, or recreational activities.

For the 2026-2027 season, a preparatory technical training course is scheduled from September 1st to October 16th, 2026. This 168-hour course provides technical preparation for the prerequisites of the Circus Arts Instructor qualification and can be supplemented by several intensive modules dedicated to acrobatics, object balancing, juggling, and aerial disciplines.

The institution also offers training for animation and education professionals wishing to use circus arts as a teaching tool. Customized training programs can also be developed around one or more disciplines, depending on the trainee's level, objectives, and project.

This training activity makes L'Odyssée du Cirque a different kind of organization than a simple leisure school. It directly contributes to the professional development of people wishing to lead and teach circus arts.

Arts and cultural education — School

Arts and cultural education is also a major focus. Schools can participate in workshops under the big tops at L'Odyssée or host instructors directly at their facilities. Projects can take the form of a half-day, a full day, a full week, or a program spread over a term, semester, or academic year.

The students then discover the different circus families and can prepare a show to be presented to their families at the end of the cycle. The projects are designed according to the school's educational objectives.

Medical-social actions and inclusion

L'Odyssée also develops programs for specific audiences and the healthcare and social services sector. Circus arts are used as a mediator between participants and facilitators, fostering self-improvement, self-confidence, and trust in others. The disciplines are chosen and adapted according to the objectives defined with the support teams.

The site is accessible to people with reduced mobility and training courses can also accommodate people with disabilities after a study of their needs and the necessary technical conditions.

Creation, residencies and distribution

Professional creation also has its place within the project. L'Odyssée hosts artists and companies in residence and makes its facilities available for research and creation. This activity allows the organization to contribute to the development and diversity of circus arts while fostering encounters between artists and practitioners.

Outreach complements this system. The association organizes its own Circus Festival, programs shows, and develops partnerships with other community and cultural organizations. The annual festival is a highlight, allowing students to present their creations and showcase the work they have done throughout the year.

Corporate interventions and event services

L'Odyssée du Cirque also works with companies and institutions, offering introductory workshops, team building, Christmas parties, space rentals and various event services.

Affiliations and network

The organization belongs to the French Federation of Circus Schools (FFEC) and the FREC Grand Est. It holds FFEC Amateur Practice accreditation no. 90313 and actively participates in the federation's network. The Grand Est 2026 Regional Meetings took place from May 14th to 16th at L'Odyssée du Cirque.

A complete pole

With its amateur courses, advanced workshops, internships, training organization, school and medico-social projects, residences and dissemination activities, L'Odyssée du Cirque is today a true hub dedicated to circus arts.

Its location in Échenans-sous-Mont-Vaudois and its significant facilities allow it to accommodate a young child discovering the circus, a teenager wishing to deepen a discipline, a class working on an artistic project, a person with a disability, a professional wishing to train or a company looking for a creative space.

Ambition

The Circus Odyssey thus champions a project where amateur practice, popular education, professional transmission, inclusion and artistic creation meet around a common ambition: to allow as many people as possible to discover, practice and experience the circus arts.