Flip Flap

Presentation

Flip Flap Circus is a circus arts school located at 10 rue Cabanis, in the 14th arrondissement of Paris . Created in 2004 by Émilie Declercq, Tiffany Fouché and Sylvain Declercq , it was born from the desire to offer children and young people a place to come together around a common taste for the circus , progress technically, develop their creativity and collectively experience the performance.

Public and organization

The school now mainly welcomes children and teenagers aged 3 to 17. Activities are organized according to the age and level of the participants, from introductory circus arts for the youngest children to groups for teenagers and advanced courses.

3 to 5 years old — awakening

For children aged 3 to 5, the approach emphasizes motor skills and discovery. Circus activities become tools for learning to jump, roll, climb, balance, move in space, and gradually become more aware of their bodies.

• Discovering the balance ball
• Introduction to basic acrobatics
• Discovering the trapeze in an age-appropriate setting

Children and adolescents — disciplines

For older children and teenagers, the teaching gradually becomes more technical while remaining multidisciplinary. Flip Flap allows them to discover the main branches of circus arts.

• Acrobatics
• Doors
• Mini-trampoline
• Aerial disciplines
• Balances on objects
• Unicycle
• Juggling

Juggling

Juggling plays an important role in the practice. Students can work with different objects and develop technical and personal skills.

• Diabolo — coordination, rhythm and precision
• Balls — concentration and technical progressions
• Clubs — strength, timing, and perseverance

Balances on objects

Balancing acts on objects offer an introduction to several iconic circus disciplines. The school also offers in-depth workshops and outdoor sessions.

• Balance ball
• Thread
• Rolla-bolla
• Unicycle (dedicated workshops, unicycle basketball and group rides)

Aerial arts

Aerial arts are fully integrated into the teaching: they combine strength, flexibility, coordination, body control and artistic dimension, and complement the work done on the ground.

• Trapeze
• Aerial fabric
• Aerial hoop

Acrobatics and lifts

Acrobatics has historically been a central element of Flip Flap's identity. Students progressively learn rolls, cartwheels, balances, and various acrobatic fundamentals. Depending on their level, they then move on to more advanced elements such as the round-off, handspring, flip, or somersault. Lifts and partner work explore teamwork, trust, and cooperation.

Artistic creation

Technical progress is not an end in itself: Flip Flap places great importance on artistic creation. Young people are encouraged to explore techniques within one or more disciplines, build sequences, imagine a world, and stage their work.

Both year-long courses and workshops can culminate in the creation of a performance or show. Students participate in the creation of the acts, the staging, acting, and physical expression. Group performances constitute a significant milestone in the educational journey.

Pedagogy

Mutual support allows students to progress together: listening, cooperation and solidarity create a group dynamic where everyone can learn from others.

Autonomy is encouraged so that young people can express their point of view, participate in school life and build their own path: perseverance and self-confidence are objectives.

Safety is approached as a shared responsibility: students learn to secure their practice space, to listen to their bodies, and to respect and store equipment.

Internships and additional activities

In addition to weekly classes, Flip Flap organizes workshops during all major school holidays. Aimed at children aged 6 to 14, these workshops offer a week-long immersion to discover the circus arts or improve in a specific discipline.

• Juggling
• Fun warm-up
• Acrobatics
• Balances on objects
• Aerial disciplines
• Afternoon with a choice of workshops for further development
• Team games, mini-trampoline and partner sports

During the week, the trainees develop a creative project which can result in a show presented to families on Friday afternoon or in a presentation in the form of photos or videos, linking technical learning, autonomy and imagination.

Birthdays, workshops and projects

The school also offers circus arts-themed birthday parties, with workshops followed by refreshments, as well as customized workshops. Its core business includes projects for schools, students, and corporate groups or committees.

Affiliations and meetings

Flip Flap is accredited by the French Ministry of Youth and Popular Education and belongs to the FFEC (French Federation of Circus Schools). It is affiliated with the FREC Île-de-France (Regional Federation of Circus Schools of Île-de-France) and holds FFEC accreditation number 75273. The school regularly participates in inter-school circus events.

In April 2026, Flip Flap was one of seven schools represented at the FFEC Île-de-France Regional Meetings held at the ENACR in Rosny-sous-Bois. The school also participates in the National Meetings as part of the Circa Festival in Auch, where its students present creations alongside other young French schools.

This regular participation in federal events demonstrates the importance placed on creation and performance. In recent years, Flip Flap has notably presented several collective student creations on the national stages of the FFEC.

Identity and offer

With over twenty years of existence, Flip Flap Circus has built a strong identity in the Parisian circus school scene. Its project combines technical training, multidisciplinary practice, show creation and personal development for young people.

In the 14th arrondissement of Paris, children and teenagers can discover or explore the following disciplines:

• Acrobatics
• Doors
• Mini-trampoline
• Trapeze
• Aerial fabric
• Aerial hoop
• Thread
• Balance ball
• Rolla-bolla
• Unicycle
• Diabolo
• Balls
• Clubs