Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione

Located in the heart of Paris, between the Place de la République and the Place de la Bastille, at the edge of the historical Marais, the Cirque d’Hiver is the world’s oldest extant circus building. It is also the world’s oldest circus still in activity: It first opened its doors in 1852. Its address, at 110 rue Amelot, may seem inconspicuous, but at that precise point, the rue Amelot opens onto the Boulevard du Temple through the small Place Pasdeloup: The Cirque d’Hiver is therefore quite noticeable, practically "on the Boulevards."

In 1984, the Cirque d’Hiver became a house for hire, and started hosting a series of theatrical production, recitals, fashion shows, etc., with only a few incursions back into the circus world. Since 1986, the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain had occupied the ring for one week every year, and the burgeoning Cirque du Soleil performed there for one month in 1990. In 1997, Muriel Hermine, former Synchronized Swimming European champion, created and starred in Crescend’O, an aquatic show directed by Guy Caron, for which the old water basin, practically idle since the War, had been completely rebuilt.

Then in 1998, the new generation met with the family patriarch, Sampion Bouglione: Sampion’s son, Francesco, and Sampion’s nephews, Joseph Junior, Louis-Sampion, Thierry, and Nicolas, expressed their will to resume a circus season at the Cirque d’Hiver. Circus was back; most of the young Bougliones had performed in other circuses and Variete shows all around Europe, and they were well aware of the success of circuses that were defining new trends in the way of presenting circus performances. They wanted to be part of this circus renaissance.

Talents & Productions is proud to collaborate with te Bouglione family.