The museum is open from 10:00 to 12:00 a.m. and from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays and from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, except 1^st January, 1^st May, 1^st November and 25^th Decembe

Visit the Museum

The visit to the museum starts with a review of  circus history.

Each room is devoted to a different circus skill. You will thus discover the equestrian show, the clowns, magicians, trapeze and tightrope artistes, ringmasters, etc...

The museum reviews circus history through Dr Alain Frère's extraordinarily rich collection, a collection unique in Europe.

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You will also discover the most beautiful posters, designed by two great Fine Art masters, Antonin Magne and Gustave Soury, which are exhibited in the seven rooms of that prestigious museum

And the costumes... those of great clowns such as Achille Zavatta and the Fratellini brothers, those of Roger Lanzac, the famous ringmaster of the Piste aux Etoiles, those of trapeze artiste Gérard Edon along with the music stands of the celebrated Piste aux Etoiles orchestra and the smallest bicycle in the world. 

Many posters concern two circuses of the Centre Region, i.e. Cirque National and Cirque Bureau.

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During your visit, clear leaflets are at your disposal in each room. They will help you understand better the magical world of circus and its great acts such as all the aerial acts, tightrope, acrobatic, juggling, trapeze, training acts, clowning.

A video room is also at your disposal if you wish to discover circus life past and present.

Musée du Cirque   36150 VATAN

Tél./fax +33 (0) 2 54 49 77 78