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Origin and history

The Cirque de Reims, built in 1865 by architect Narcisse Brunette, is one of the last hard circuses of the 19th century still standing in France. Built in red brick and limestone, its roof rests on sixteen cast iron pillars, forming a circular structure of 33 meters in diameter. Originally, he hosted various shows, such as boxing, as well as public meetings, reflecting his central role in remise social life. Damaged during World War I, he lost his ancient decorations, later replaced by a blue and ochre decor enhanced with gold.

The circus was restored in the early 1980s, regaining a capacity of 1,300 seats, while the adjacent Manège, built in 1867, became a modular room of 609 spectators after its renovation in 1990. These two spaces, protected since 1994 as historical monuments, now form a multidisciplinary cultural ensemble dedicated to the arts of the movement: dance, contemporary circus, puppets and hybrid creations. Their management has been carried out since 2015 by Bruno Lobé, as part of a national stage labeled by the State.

The site, located boulevard du Général-Leclerc, is part of the Patte d'Goie Park and actively participates in local and international cultural dynamics. In particular, it hosts the Born to be a live festival, dedicated to contemporary creation, and collaborates on events such as Reims Scenes of Europe. Its acoustics and architecture make it a popular place for both artists and the public, while preserving a unique industrial and artistic heritage.

Among the notable artists who performed at the circus are Noir Désir (1993), Marillion (1994), and Dionysos (2002), illustrating its programmative diversity. The whole, owned by the city of Reims, enjoys the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Department of Marne and the Grand Est region, guaranteeing its sustainability as a place of creation and dissemination.

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