Cirque Municipal, Reims.

Photo courtesy of John Cooper

Not too long ago, the Great Burck posted a photo of the Cirque Medrano building in Paris, asking if it still existed - which it doesn't, the site (opposite The Moulin Rouge nightclub) being occupied by an apartment block these days. In his comment Raffaele de Ritis advised that circus buildings other than Cirque d'Hiver did exist.

Le Cirque Municipal in Reims came into being in 1902 and has been the city's venue for Cirque Educatif (on which I reported in January) since 1982, save for 1983 and 1984 when performances took place in a big top in a local park. I presume this was because the building was being refurbished.

Internally, facilities for sound and lighting are up to date and the seating (I estimate capacity at around 800) is comfortable. Dressing rooms are modern though not particularly spacious, artistes returning to their trailers between shows.

There is little room for props within the building, so for Educatif a tent is erected just outside the back door. Likewise there is no stabling, so animals are kept outside, mostly in the same area as the performers' accommodation. That said, in separate years the tigers of Daniel Suskow and Duo Borcani's sealions have been quartered closer to the building itself.

Photo courtesy of John Cooper

The prop elephant is not a regular feature, its presence owing to the fact that the 2005 bill included Adriana Folco's elephant, Baby. "Mate, did it include a tiger when Daniel Suskow was there, or a sea lion when Borcani was there? What kind of "cute and charming" bias is that"

Photo Courtesy of Vincent Manero

Cirque Municipal is located quite close to the city centre, and near to the 12th century cathedral. Roughly a 10 minute walk from the main railway station. As far as I am aware, these days it serves its intended purpose only for Educatif,, the more regular touring shows playing under canvas at Parc Des Expositions less centrally.

Another purpose-built building is Cirque Jules Verne (named after the author of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea") at Amiens. Only once have I seen this edifice, and that merely by chance, travelling through the night from Paris to London by coach, when we collected some passengers in the city. The glorious structure was bathed in floodlights, and I certainly want to have another look at it when I'm less drowsy. Although it is in a built-up area, there is a lot of open space around it, doubtless used for parking. Cirque Arlette Gruss (one of France's biggest circuses) pays a visit almost every year, usually in November, playing inside the building. A definite entry on my wish list, although it's a show I will be happy to see anywhere, any time.

Courtesy of John Cooper