LeZartiCirque – Sainte-Croix Circus School

LeZartiCirque , also known as the Sainte-Croix Circus School, is an artistic training center located in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, near Yverdon-les-Bains and the French border.

Founded in 2003 , the school has gradually developed into an important center for the transmission of circus arts in French-speaking Switzerland. Directed by Dominique and Yves Bugnon , it now brings together more than 300 students around a teaching team composed of specialists in circus arts and performance.

LeZartiCirque has the distinction of offering a complete program , ranging from the physical awakening of toddlers to preparation for entrance exams to higher professional circus schools.

Amateur teaching

Amateur teaching constitutes an essential part of its activity, with more than thirty weekly courses adapted to different ages and levels.

• From age 2 : children can participate in parent-child sessions based on play, lifts and acrobatic courses.
• Between 4 and 6 years old : Cirqu'minis courses allow a first discovery of acrobatics, juggling, balances and aerial disciplines in an environment adapted to the youngest children.
• From 7 to 12 years old : children continue their learning through a multidisciplinary approach: ground acrobatics, aerial techniques, tightrope walking, ball walking, unicycle walking, juggling with balls, diabolo or devil stick.
• Adolescents : several groups allow them to develop their technical skills, creativity and collective practice.
• From age 15 : courses for adults are also offered, in an approach combining physical activity, technical discovery and the pleasure of practicing together.

The courses include acrobatics, trampoline, acrobatic lifts, juggling, balancing, and aerial disciplines.

Specialized teaching

LeZartiCirque also develops specialized courses for students wishing to delve deeper into a particular discipline. The program includes courses in acrobatics , partner acrobatics , teeterboard , trampoline , and aerial techniques .

Specific sessions are also devoted to the Chinese pole , hand balances , flexibility , Russian bar , juggling and banquine .

The school also offers complementary activities such as acrobatic dance, classical dance , theatre and improvisation .

Artistic creation and the performance troupe

Artistic creation plays a significant role in its educational program. A performance troupe allows motivated students to develop their own acts, work collaboratively, and participate in various performances and events throughout the year.

Infrastructure

LeZartiCirque has particularly well-developed infrastructure for this purpose.

Hall 16 , a former factory acquired in 2014 and subsequently renovated, notably houses an acrobatics hall with a height of 9.50 meters , a landing pit, a trampoline in a pit, an acrobatics track, an air-track and aerial installations.

The establishment also has spaces dedicated to dance, clowning, and creative activities. A big top located in Sainte-Croix complements these facilities and allows for the organization of shows and events.

The pre-vocational track

Beyond its amateur school, LeZartiCirque has a genuine pre-professional program . This intensive training is aimed at young artists wishing to prepare for entrance exams to international circus schools.

• a two-year full-time training program
• a three-year program compatible with high school studies
• a transition year

Students benefit from in-depth technical training, artistic guidance, stage experience, and multidisciplinary work supervised by experienced professionals.

The school has been a member of FEDEC since 2016. Many former students have continued their studies in international vocational schools and with circus companies.

Internships and pedagogy

LeZartiCirque also organizes training courses during school holidays as well as workshops designed to deepen knowledge of certain disciplines.

Its teaching methods aim to combine technical learning, motor development, creativity, personal expression, and group living. The institution thus constitutes a true place of training and creation, capable of welcoming both families wishing to discover the circus and young people considering a professional artistic career.