Jules Verne Circus

Presentation

Founded in 1982 , the Jules Verne Circus School is a circus arts training school located at 12 rue Albert Roze in Amiens , in the Somme region. Integrated into the Jules Verne Circus – National Circus Center Amiens, it occupies a unique position in the French landscape: teaching, creation, performance, artistic residencies and encounters with the professional world are directly brought together within a single cultural project.

History and recognition

The school has over forty years of history . Since its creation in 1982, it has progressively developed a recognized identity in France and internationally in the field of preparing students for higher education in circus arts. It is currently accredited by the Ministry of Culture and the French Federation of Circus Schools , and is also a member of FEDEC – the European Federation of Professional Circus Schools.

Objectives and target audience

Its main program is a preparatory course for higher circus schools, designed for young people wishing to pursue a professional career in live performance. The objective is clear: to enable students to develop the physical, technical, and artistic skills necessary to succeed in the entrance exams for French and international higher education institutions.

Pedagogy and procedure

The curriculum is based first and foremost on a common technical and artistic core. Students develop a solid foundation in acrobatic techniques, complemented by dance and acting classes. The goal is to build a flexible, versatile body capable of adapting to the demands of different circus specialties.

This mastery of the fundamentals then allows each student to develop their chosen apparatus or specialty. The support is individualized: the teachers not only aim to improve technical skill but also to foster a personal artistic vision of the practice.

Subjects studied

• Acrobatic lifts
• Contortion
• Trapeze
• Aerial straps
• Double rope
• Handstand
• Chinese pole

Theoretical teachings and creation

Physical and technical practice is complemented by theoretical instruction essential for professional development. Students work in particular on safety, health, and knowledge of the cultural sector, in order to gradually understand the realities of the profession of circus artist and live performance.

The curriculum also includes internships and periods of artistic creation. This emphasis on creation is essential: the student must gradually move from mastering a technique to constructing an artistic language and learn to reflect on dramaturgy, composition, and the relationship between apparatus, body, and audience.

This approach is particularly evident in the circus arts projects developed by the school. In 2026 , for example, students worked with Theresa Kuhn , accompanied by Maroussia Diaz Verbèke and Élodie Royer , on the project Première Piste! (First Track! ). The program thus allows students to meet directly with working artists and creators.

Professional integration and environment

One of the main strengths of the Jules Verne Circus School lies precisely in its location within a National Circus Center . Students do not receive training isolated from the professional world: they develop within an institution that hosts shows, companies, residencies, artists, technicians and professionals of contemporary creation throughout the year.

This immersion allows students to constantly confront their learning with the realities of the profession. The school explicitly asserts this ability to connect its students to the professional world as one of the fundamental characteristics of its teaching.

The organization also develops occasional professional training courses for artists and professionals already working in the sector. These include training in circus dramaturgy and "What is circus art?" , a course combining theoretical input and practical experimentation with the school's students. A new session of the latter is scheduled from December 7 to 11, 2026 .

The Jules Verne Circus School also offers open training programs, complementing its role as a resource for advanced artists and practitioners. Its activities should therefore not be limited to the twelve students in the preparatory program: the school participates more broadly in the professional circus ecosystem of Amiens and the Hauts-de-France region.

School education and training pathways

The institution also plays an important role in school arts education. The Jules Verne Circus is a partner of the Circus Arts sports section at the Édouard Lucas middle school, where students from 6th to 9th grade benefit from two hours of weekly practice provided jointly by professional artists and physical education teachers.

Since September 2015 , the Pôle has also been co-leading a Circus Arts specialization course with the La Hotoie high school in Amiens. The high school students benefit in particular from masterclasses with artists hosted by the Cirque Jules Verne and from direct contact with contemporary creation.

This continuity — middle school, high school, preparation for higher education and then higher education — helps to create in Amiens a real circus training pathway, particularly interesting for young people who wish to gradually transform an artistic practice into a professional project.

Amateur practices and cultural activities

The school also remains open to amateur practice through workshops organized during certain school holidays. These workshops allow participants to discover or improve their circus arts skills according to their level and are supervised by the professional training instructors.

Occasional workshops complement this offering. The current season, for example, includes a juggling workshop for ages 15 and up, combining juggling circles, group practice, and juggling choreography. This close connection between workshops open to the public and the professional school aligns with the overall mission of the National Circus Center.

The Jules Verne Circus has developed a significant arts and cultural education program for schools. Projects can combine attending performances, meeting artists, and hands-on artistic practice, allowing students to discover contemporary circus as a genuine creative field.

Cultural environment and heritage

The school's cultural environment is particularly rich. The Cirque Jules Verne is simultaneously a historic performance venue, a National Circus Center, a key player in street arts, and an organizer of major events such as Les Tentaculaires and MAIN-TENANT . The school directly benefits from this ongoing artistic activity.

The historic Jules Verne Circus building itself is a major part of Amiens' heritage. Built at the end of the 19th century at the initiative of the city council and with the involvement of Jules Verne , it is one of the last remaining large, permanent circus buildings in France. The school, located on Rue Albert Roze, is nevertheless a separate site from the historic building on Place Longueville.

Team and governance

The teaching team is currently under the responsibility of Audrey Louwet . The permanent teachers are Adrian Munteanu and Reynald Valleron , supplemented by various teachers and artists who contribute according to the specializations and projects.

The Jules Verne Circus, for its part, is a public cultural establishment (EPCC) whose board of directors includes representatives from the State, the Hauts-de-France Region, and Amiens Métropole. Its operations also benefit from the support of the Somme Department and, for certain outreach activities, the City of Amiens.

Conclusion

Through its history, its level of teaching and above all its permanent relationship with the professional sector, the Jules Verne Circus School constitutes a reference structure for young artists wishing to prepare for the entrance exams to higher circus schools.

His project is not solely about increasing the technical level of students. He seeks to build artists capable of mastering their fundamentals, deepening their expertise in a specialty, understanding their professional environment and above all developing a personal style and artistic identity.