Rues Barrées
Three days of free street theatre, circus and dance in the old streets of Auxerre.
- Culture
- Auxerre
- 1 h 51 from Beaune
- Free entry
€415one way from Beaune with a private driver
Book a driver
At a glance
- Entry
- Free
- Organised by
- Ville d’Auxerre
- Official website
- auxerre.fr
Getting there
Private driver from Beaune: 1 h 51 by road (167 km), €415 one way for the whole car.
Coming by train or plane? Transfers from stations and airports →
About the event
For three days each August, Auxerre turns its old centre into an open-air stage for Rues Barrées, a festival of street arts. Around twenty companies give some fifty free performances, from circus and juggling to clowning, dance and aerial acrobatics.
What to expect
Shows take place in about ten spots around the town centre, and many are roving performances that move through the streets, so you come across them as you walk. The festival opens with a show on the Friday evening and ends with a large finale on the Sunday. Some performances are made for young children, from the age of five.
History
Rues Barrées is organised by the city of Auxerre. Its 9th edition, from 21 to 23 August 2026, brought 20 companies from France, Spain, Korea and South Africa for 53 performances.
Alongside the visiting artists, the festival gives a place to the people of Auxerre: in 2026 residents took part in a project led by the company La Main de l'Homme.
Good to know
Tips for the day
Every performance is free and needs no booking. The programme with times is available from the tourist office in early July. Auxerre is about 1 hour 45 minutes from Beaune; a driver can drop you at the edge of the pedestrian centre and meet you after the finale, and a tasting in Chablis or Saint-Bris fits easily into the same day.
Around here
What to combine with Rues Barrées on the same day, nearest first.
- Wine festival
Les Vin’dredis de la Halle
Friday evenings through the summer, from late MayGevrey-Chambertin - Culture
Lumières à Beaune
Every evening from late June to late September, and from the Vente des Vins weekend in November to early JanuaryBeaune
- Tradition
Saint-Vincent de Chitry
A weekend in January, close to the feast of Saint Vincent on 22 JanuaryChitry
Saint-Bris
8 km awayIrancy
12 km awayChablis
17 km away
Questions
The 2027 dates of Rues Barrées have not been announced yet. Usual timing: A long weekend in late August.. The organiser publishes them on auxerre.fr.
Did you know? The 2026 edition brought companies to Auxerre from as far away as Korea and South Africa.
Sources
A private driver for the day
No parking to find, no one left as the designated driver: everyone enjoys a glass.