Baccalaureate - "Circus Arts" Specialisation (Bac Cirque)

The Lycée Pierre Bayen has created since 2021 a Bac L, with a Circus Arts option, which, thanks to the 2021 Bac reform, has become the Baccalaureate with “Circus Arts” Specialisation.

This course from the 10th to the 12th grade prepares students for the Baccalaureate with “Circus Arts” Specialisation. Students come from across France and abroad. In particular, it leads to entrance exams for higher circus arts schools.

The CNAC plays a central role in this process by providing these high school students with a rich and exceptional set of facilities: circus specialisation classes with some of its permanent teachers and students.

The Centre national des arts du cirque provides access to its technical equipment, to its Resource Centre, as well as working sessions and dress rehearsals for its shows.

This training is unique in the Grand Est region. It combines artistic education, physical preparation and general high school education with a 10th grade, Circus Arts option, then a 11th grade and a 12th grade, specialisation in Circus Arts.

One recruitment each year

Motivation, a taste for the performing arts and physical fitness are essential. Recruitment is academic, national and international:
- Pre-selection of eligible students on file, to be applied for and returned to the lycée in April of each year.
- Selection of admissions over a day in May at the Centre national des arts du cirque in Châlons-en-Champagne with physical, theatre and dance tests and motivational interview. No prior practice required.

Calendar to be confirmed

The subjects

In the 10th grade:

The same general education as for the other classes with the Circus Arts option:
+ 2 hours of live performance culture and circus arts history,
+ 7 hours of circus practice,
+ 1 hour of physical preparation and stretching.

In the 11th and 12th grades:
The same general education as for the other classes with, in addition to the two 4-hour specialities, the Circus Arts speciality as follows:
+ 3 hours of live performance culture and circus arts history
+ 8 hours of circus practice,
+ 1 hour of physical preparation and stretching.

Le CNAC and La Comète, Scène Nationale, partners of the Baccalaureate with “Circus Arts” Specialisation at the Lycée Pierre Bayen

The Centre national des arts du cirque / CNAC is the leading partner for this project. The teaching staff are those of the Higher Education Institution of the CNAC.

La Comète, Scène nationale, twinned with the lycée for fifteen years is the other major partner involved here. It offers exceptional access to high-quality artistic programming in all disciplines of the performing arts. It allows internships and masterclasses and lends its premises to promote certain artistic practices.

Accommodation for students living far away

The lycée has a boarding school (boys and girls) from Monday morning to Friday evening, and can accommodate particularly interested and motivated students, without limitation of origin (all academies, France or abroad).
Students who are unable to return home at weekends due to distances are welcomed at the end of the week by a host family.