Clermont-Ferrand Circus School

Clermont-Ferrand City Circus School (ECCF)

The Clermont-Ferrand City Circus School , or ECCF , is a municipal school dedicated to the discovery, initiation, and development of circus arts. Located in the Saint-Jacques district of Clermont-Ferrand, it is under the authority of the City's Department of Culture and is one of the local cultural facilities dedicated to artistic practices.

The establishment is a member of the FFEC and holds Amateur Practice accreditation no. 63320. It belongs to the FREC Auvergne. The FFEC currently lists Corinne Ducaruge as the head of the organization.

The school has dedicated, adapted, and certified premises for the practice of circus arts. The activity location is on Rue de Sévigné , in the Saint-Jacques district. This location should not be confused with the administrative address at 10 Rue Philippe-Marcombes .

Project and pedagogy

The ECCF project is based on a very clear identity: to be a school open to all , fully participating in popular education , without any logic of elitism or competition . The institution emphasizes respect for diverse audiences , educational quality , instructor training , and the health and safety of participants.

Target audiences and course organization

• Weekly classes start at age 6 .
• Aimed at children , teenagers and adults .
• Groups suitable for beginners , intermediate and advanced students .
• Objective: to build a progression over the year rather than simply offering a succession of discovery activities.

Specialization in aerial disciplines

One of the most striking characteristics of the ECCF is its specialization in aerial arts . The City explicitly mentions several apparatuses and practices, and the school presents itself as complementary to the circus arts associations in the metropolitan area.

• Trapeze
• Aerial hoop
• Rope
• Fabric
• Aerial dance
• Aerobatics
• Multidisciplinary circus

• Diabolo
• Clubs
• Unicycle
• Ball
• Devil's stick

A pedagogy of popular education

ECCF views circus arts as a tool for individual and collective development. The school allows each person to progress at their own pace and gradually build their practice, while developing autonomy , creativity , and the ability to work within a group.

The practice is therefore not conceived solely from the perspective of physical performance: the school is also a place of art and culture where students discover the artistic and theatrical dimensions of the circus. This philosophy explains the significant place given to student presentations, demonstrations, and performances.

Renc'Art'Cirque and shows

ECCF develops an event activity: Renc'Art'Cirque, open stages, amateur shows and other festive gatherings which allow students, other practitioners and the public to meet around artistic proposals.

• Renc'Art'Cirque (meetings around circus practices)
• Open Stages
• Amateur shows
• End-of-season presentations and demonstrations (integrated into the educational process)

The teaching team supports participants in preparing and presenting their public appearances. ECCF also participates in the federal network: the FFEC listed it among the organizations represented at the FREC Auvergne Regional Meetings.

Internships during the holidays

In addition to the annual courses, the school organizes workshops during school holidays, offering introductory, beginner, or advanced training. The content and composition of the groups may vary depending on the time of year and the educational objectives.

Arts education and school interventions

The team works with school and after-school groups on projects developed in collaboration with City services: activities during school hours, after-school programs, or in leisure centers. The City is also developing cultural programs for 2026-2027 to promote young people's access to artistic and cultural activities.

Early childhood

Although regular weekly classes begin at age 6, the ECCF also works with young children (0-6 years) through specific projects. To clarify: Early childhood activities: yes — specific projects for 0-6 year olds (not regular classes from age 0).

Municipal status and local anchoring

The ECCF is a municipal structure of the City of Clermont-Ferrand, integrated into the local cultural policy. It is particularly involved in the life of the Saint-Jacques district, identified as an urban renewal area, and is one of the structuring facilities of the district.