International Circus Festival: and ten!

Imagined by a handful of enthusiasts, supported by a volunteer team, the Bayeux International Circus Festival celebrates its tenth edition this year. From March 20 to 26, 2023, the best artists from around the world meet in Bayeux to put on a breathtaking show.

From March 20 to 26, 2023, artists, musicians and volunteers take to the stage for one of the major events in Bayeux cultural life: welcome to the 10th Bayeux International Circus Festival!

Artists from all over the world

Although the international context makes administrative procedures complex, the members of the Bayeux International Circus Festival association are still smiling: the 10th edition is on track and the artists are ready to join Bayeux. In total, they will be nearly 40 – musicians, presenter and artists – from ten nationalities different to ensure the spectacle composed of award-winning acts in the greatest circuses around the world.

To present the show, Michel Palmer – who officiates at the Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione – once again puts on the costume of Monsieur Loyal for Bayeux. I’festival orchestraunder the direction of David Fackere, will accompany the artists.

Discover the complete program on the Festival official website

Around the festival

The association offers two free exhibitions alongside the shows.

Hats off to Mr. Loyalty! Mythical character of the classic circus, Monsieur Loyal is the essential figure of a good show. A true link between the artists and the public, Monsieur Loyal is the only voice in the show, he is an artist in his own right. The exhibition invites you to discover the function of presenter with a selection of the greatest. The posters and costumes presented come from the private collection of Pierre Fenouiller. Practice: Espace Saint-Patrice, from March 20 to 26, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
20 years of circus in Bayeux: the anniversary exhibition! By launching its first edition in 2005, the Bayeux International Festival has become an unmissable event for circus enthusiasts. In 20 years, more than 300 artists have trod the track of the Bayeusain festival. Retrospective of the highlights of the first nine editions, of the artists who impressed the spectators and of all the winners rewarded by the public. Practical: E. Leclerc cultural space, from March 6 to 25, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A stock exchange is also organized on Saturday March 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at La Comète, boulevard Maréchal Montgomery. Collectors will be able to exchange or sell posters, programs, vehicles or any other object related to the circus universe. To book a stand: register with the association on festivalcirquebayeux.fr

The traditional mass for artists will be given under the marquee and on the festival track in partnership with the parish. Practical: Sunday March 26, 2023 at 10:30 a.m., place Gauquelin Despallières, free.

In order to raise children’s awareness of circus arts, the festival reserves performances for them and invites artists to class. Associated with the event very early on, the students of Bayeux Intercom also worked on the production of a video and paper ABC about the circus: the paper version will be distributed and the video put online during the festival. A land art contest was also organized by the young elected members of the Bayeux Intercom Childhood and Youth Community Council: the winners constitute the children’s jury and award their prize to their favorite artist. The jurors will be invited to the performance on Saturday March 25 at 2 p.m. after which they will meet to elect their favorite number. The winning photos will be exhibited at the Espace Saint-Patrice from March 18 to 26.

The rewards

In addition to the children’s prize, many prizes will be awarded:

Loyal d’Or (audience award)
Loyal d’Argent (audience award)
Loyal Bronze (audience award)
Special prize from the City of Bayeux
Special price for professionals
Special prize from Crédit Agricole de Normandie
Bouglione Winter Circus Prize
Brittany Circus Prize
French Circus Club Prize

Spectacles

Performances take place in a heated marquee, set up on Place Gauquelin Despallières.

Wednesday March 22 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Thursday March 23 to 19h
Friday March 24 at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday March 25 at 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.
Sunday March 26 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Doors open 30 minutes before each session.

ACCESSIBILITY : the Festival is accessible to people with reduced mobility and visually impaired people thanks to an audio description system.

RETRANSMISSION : the Festival is broadcast on television on several regional channels (Télénantes, La Chaîne Normande, Télé 7 Loire…), European and even in Japan!