A day at the circus offers you a behind-the-scene view of the circus life. You can attend the rehearsals, and also learn some secrets and practice: give a fake hit, juggle... A lot of things which seem weird at first and that you'll be able to master. You can also know better the people who work here, while having meal with them and visiting the menagerie. And, of course, you can attend the summit, the reason why every prior thing was done : the show.
 
Morning: Practice with the artists. Till noon, everyone who wants to can discover every circus field. The artists show their skills and the visitors can try out a few drills. Magic, acrobatics, juggling, tightrope walking, taming, trapeze... are included. Especially for the youngest - and the oldest - the initiation to clowning art can make you learn the clown job in every of its aspects : the shows, of course, but also the juggling, acrobatics, accessories, make up... At last, you can practice with the magicians and learn more about illusion and its history.
 

Noon: Lunch with the artists.
 
After the lunch: tour of the menagerie. To see the lamas, zebras, dromedaries, camels, donkeys and ponies. If you book it, you can also visit the Circus and Fun Fair Mechanic Music Museum : large collection of musical tools in the first; posters, engravings, fun fair games... in the other. Merry-go-round : one wind on an early 20th century edition.
 
Afternoon: Everyone cheers the artists. The artists that you saw in the morning are now made up and dressed with real costumes : it's showtime ! Deer, camels, zebras, lamas, donkeys, clowns, trapeze artists, magicians, acrobats...
 
You'll spend your day at the circus at :
Parc départemental des Chanteraines
115, bd Charles de Gaulle
92390 Villeneue-la-Garenne
France
Phone : 01.47.99.40.40
Fax : 01.47.99.02.22
Internet : http://www.journeeaucirque.com/
Road access : by the A86 highway (follow Cergy-Pontoise if you come from Paris), exit Villeneuve-la-Garenne center, then follow the 'Une Journée au Cirque' signs.