Photo : Théâtre de la Ville-Sarah Bernhardt
Festival des Places 2026
Major Parisian squares are turning into open-air stages where art becomes a part of everyday life. Whether you want to join workshops led by international icons or catch live performances, it is the perfect spot to shake up your weekend routine.
About
The Festival des Places returns from April 2 to October 31, 2026, transforming Parisian squares into vibrant outdoor stages. Organized by the Théâtre de la Ville, this entirely free event offers weekly workshops, concerts, dance performances, and public balls. Renowned artists like Angelin Preljocaj and Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker share their expertise during sessions open to everyone. From Place du Châtelet to Place des Fêtes, this multicultural program brings contemporary art directly into the heart of the city, encouraging neighbors and visitors alike to engage with creativity in an open-air setting.
Every weekend, the Festival des Places offers free workshops led by artists invited by the Théâtre de la Ville, as well as performances open to everyone.
The Festival des Places meets Parisians where they live, bringing together arts, ideas, and urban life alongside major figures of the contemporary scene for moments of multicultural and intergenerational sharing.
From April 25 to October 2026, the Théâtre de la Ville will occupy several Parisian squares—Place du Châtelet, Place d'Italie, Place des Fêtes, and others—to broaden imaginations and artistic practices for the widest possible audience and bring creation out of the buildings: culture under the open sky.
AT THE HEART OF THE PROJECT, AMATEUR PRACTICE WORKSHOPS,
LED BY INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS AND THEIR COLLABORATORS:
Angelin Preljocaj, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, Christos Papadopoulos, Ambra Senatore, Silvia Gribaudi, Bruno Guillore from the Hofesh Shechter Company, Bruno Bouché and the Ballet de l’Opéra national du Rhin…
In total, more than 20 practice workshops are planned, as well as concerts, performances, storytelling, balls, musical naps, and meetings.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2026
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM ● TDV-Sarah Bernhardt_Hall
BOXING & PING-PONG-POETRY
With Paris Université Club
Sport and poetry meet in playful, rhythmic bouts open to everyone.
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM ● Place du Châtelet
DANCE WORKSHOP
With Bruno Guillore (Hofesh Shechter Company)
An event: an exceptional workshop with the associate artistic director of the Hofesh Shechter Company, intense and physical.
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM ● TDV-Sarah Bernhardt_Hall
SINGING WORKSHOP
In partnership with LE Buff and Chant Pour Tous
Circle Song, a singing workshop for everyone: a collective experience based on listening and polyphony.
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM ● Place du Châtelet
CONCERT
With Sofiane Saidi
A major figure of electro-raï, Sofiane Saidi sets the square on fire with a powerful and festive live performance.
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM ● TDV-Sarah Bernhardt_Hall
ART & SPORT WORKSHOP
With Paris Université Club
Sport and poetry meet in playful, rhythmic bouts open to everyone.
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM ● Place du Châtelet
DANCE WORKSHOP
With Bruno Bouché (Ballet du Rhin)
An event: a workshop with the director of the Ballet du Rhin, focusing on choreographic writing.
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM ● Place du Châtelet
VERTICALE DE POCHE
With Cie Retouramont
Bérangère Roussel and Nathalie Tedesco
Aerial dance on a building facade: a stunning show between vertigo, poetry, and architecture.
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM ● Place du Châtelet
VERTICALE DE POCHE
With Cie Retouramont
Bérangère Roussel and Nathalie Tedesco
Suspended bodies and vertical movements: another way of inhabiting urban space.
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM ● Place du Châtelet
CONCERT TI’BAL TRIBAL
With André Minvielle
A joyous concert blending jazz, voice, Occitan, and improvisation with great freedom.
7:00 PM – 7:20 PM ● TDV-Sarah Bernhardt_Hall
TOTEM
With Cie Retouramont
Lucie Astier, Cybille Soulier, Nathalie Tedesco and Julien Ledru
A short aerial form, collective and poetic, focused on balance and connection.
Reservation
SESSION 1
Reservations open from Thursday, April 2 for the first 5 days of workshops*
SESSION 2
Reservations open from Wednesday, May 6 for the next 5 days of workshops
Every weekend, on a Saturday or Sunday, several workshops occupy the public space.
*As well as performances for the first two days, April 25 and May 2. Opening of reservations for the rest of May starting April 15.
Our take on this event
Running from April 25 through October 2026, the festival takes over various landmarks across Paris, including Place du Châtelet, Place d'Italie, and Place des Fêtes. The program focuses on amateur practice workshops led by international artists and their collaborators, such as Bruno Guillore from the Hofesh Shechter Company and Christos Papadopoulos, alongside a wide array of musical performances, storytelling, and dance.
The festival aims to make high-quality art accessible to all. Highlights include the Danse élargie competition on June 6 and 7, and a special day on June 14 at Place des Fêtes featuring hip-hop, waacking, and live music by artists like Kareyce Fotso. All events are designed to be inclusive, fostering multicultural and intergenerational exchanges.
To ensure comfort during potential heatwaves, the organizers have implemented adaptive measures. For example, the Hall of the Théâtre Sarah Bernhardt can serve as an air-conditioned venue, utilizing eco-friendly urban cooling technology derived from the Seine river. Participation in all scheduled workshops and shows is free of charge, with specific programming schedules available for each weekend.
