Cirque Jules Verne

The Jules Verne Circus, in Amiens

The Jules Verne Circus is one of the last permanent circuses still standing in Europe, an astonishing building of the nineteenth century. The Amiens audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this rare monument, inaugurated in 1889 by the writer Jules Verne himself, witness of the golden age of the circus.

One of the last permanent circuses of Europe

In front of us stands an astonishing building that has all its importance here: it is one of the last permanent circuses still standing in Europe. These buildings were progressively constructed in the towns in the nineteenth century, at the golden age of the circus, to host in a permanent way the shows, until then itinerant under a big top. The circus of Amiens, inaugurated in 1889, is a magnificent example of this architecture: a great circular building of stone and brick, topped with a vast dome, whose interior deploys a central ring surrounded by tiers, in a hushed and elegant atmosphere. It was designed by the architect Émile Ricquier, to whom we also owe the famous Dewailly clock. The inauguration took place in the presence of Jules Verne, then municipal councillor and illustrious inhabitant of the town, who pronounced a speech for the occasion, which earned the circus to bear today his name. Restored, the Jules Verne Circus is still in activity and hosts circus, theatre and music shows, perpetuating this tradition. A rare monument and a setting of the spectacle, the Jules Verne Circus is a fine stop of the discovery of Amiens.

What to see

You admire one of the last permanent circuses still standing in Europe, a magnificent circular building of stone and brick topped with a dome, inaugurated in 1889 and designed by the architect Émile Ricquier, whose inauguration in the presence of Jules Verne earned it its name; restored and still in activity, it hosts circus, theatre and music shows. The Jules Verne Circus is a rare monument of Amiens. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Jules Verne Circus lies in the centre of Amiens, reachable on foot. You admire its exterior from the street; the shows and the possible visits follow their own programme and hours, which vary. It is best to check the agenda before coming.

Why does the circus of Amiens bear the name of Jules Verne?

Because its inauguration, in 1889, took place in the presence of Jules Verne, then municipal councillor and illustrious inhabitant of Amiens, who pronounced a speech for the occasion; this magnificent permanent circus, one of the last still standing in Europe, was designed by the architect Émile Ricquier and is still in activity.

Where is the Jules Verne Circus in Amiens?

In the centre of Amiens, in France.