Chalon dans la rue, directed by Nathalie Cixous, is a festival of street arts and public space established in 1987 in Chalon-sur-Saône. Since 1991, its team has taken over the city’s former slaughterhouse, setting up shop there and developing year-round activities.
In 2005, L'Abattoir—a name evocative of its history—was designated by the Ministry of Culture as a National Center for Street Arts, and then in 2017 the National Center for Street Arts and Public Space (CNAREP). The awarding of this designation sets out key priorities: support for creation in public spaces, dissemination, outreach, and community engagement.
CNAREP ’s activities unfold in two intrinsically linked phases: year-round programming and the Chalon dans la rue festival in July.
ANNUAL ACTIVITIES
From September through May, the Abattoir site is a vibrant cultural hub dedicated to contemporary artistic creation in public spaces. It serves as a space for creation, rehearsal, and presentation. Each year, it hosts 15 to 20 companies 15 to 20 companies that work both on-site and outdoors or on tour. The presence of these artists allows CNAREP to forge connections with the public, professionals, and the local community. Every month, Le Bruit de la rue offers themed evenings or events centered around shows currently in production. It is a time for sharing and exchange, an open space for experimentation, involving collaborative partners (artists, cultural organizations, local businesses, etc.).
CNAREP is also launching long-term artistic projects specifically designed for the Chalon region. These projects involve local residents and take the form of cultural activities that are integral to the creative process.
In addition to these various offerings, there are also performances held at L’Abattoir or in public spaces, both in Chalon-sur-Saône and throughout the region.
THE FESTIVAL
The highlight of CNAREP’s activities, the Chalon dans la rue festival is an essential and historic landmark in the world of street arts. It takes place every year in July. For five days, Chalon-sur-Saône transforms into a monumental urban stage, welcoming 200,000 spectators for a festive and intense celebration of shared culture(s).
Chalon dans la rue presents a IN Selection (about twenty companies programmed by the festival), an OFF Selection (around a hundred selected companies), as well as a program to showcase works in progress with L’Aube de la création (about ten selected projects). It serves as a showcase for the 150 participating companies and a major industry event (welcoming nearly 1,000 professionals each year).
All of these initiatives are developed in collaboration with national and regional professional networks (Club des Six, Association des CNAREP, Auteurs d’Espaces, ONDA, etc.) and with local and regional partners (partners and sponsors, cultural organizations, residents, business sponsors, volunteers, etc.).