Fontvieille Big Top

Here you are in front of the Fontvieille Big Top, on the platform reclaimed from the sea, between Stade Louis II and the Heliport. This large permanent circus tent is the home of the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo. The festival was created in 1974 by Prince Rainier III, a circus lover, to honour the world’s best performers. It takes place every January. First held in Monte-Carlo, it later moved here, to this big top that became its home. Each edition brings together acts from many countries: trapeze artists, acrobats, jugglers, clowns. A jury awards the famous Gold, Silver and, since 2002, Bronze Clowns, presented at a gala attended by the princely family. Since 2006 Princess Stéphanie has presided over the festival. Since 2016 a second event, New Generation, has showcased young talent under the same big top. Outside the festival, the venue hosts other shows and events. Even with the canvas closed, take a moment to imagine the drum rolls of a January evening.

History

The International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo was founded in 1974 by Prince Rainier III, a great circus lover, who wanted to reward the best performers in the profession. It takes place every January. First held in Monte-Carlo, it later found its permanent home here, at the Fontvieille Big Top, on land reclaimed from the sea.

The festival has had a few interruptions: no edition in 1982, after the death of Princess Grace; none in 1986, when a storm blew the big top away; and none in 1991, during the Gulf War. The 2021 and 2022 editions were cancelled because of the pandemic. In 2006 Princess Stéphanie succeeded her father as president of the festival.

Art and architecture

The big top is a large permanent canvas structure designed for the circus: a round ring surrounded by tiered seating, where every spectator sees the performers up close. In the centre the acts follow one another: flying trapeze, teeterboard, balancing, juggling, clowns, watched by a jury of professionals and journalists.

Anecdotes

At first only Gold and Silver Clowns were awarded; the Bronze Clown appeared in 2002. The first Gold Clowns, in 1974, went to the Spanish clown Charlie Rivel and the animal trainer Alfred Court. From 1974 to 2002 the festival was presented by Sergio, then by Alain André, known as "Petit Gougou". For the 40th edition, in 2016, only previously awarded acts were invited, and a Gold Clown was given to Princess Stéphanie herself.

From the very first edition in 1974, a Sunday Mass was celebrated under the festival’s big top in the presence of Prince Rainier III and the princely family. Since 2002 an ecumenical celebration has brought the performers together under the big top every year.

Cinema has come here too: in 1988, during the 13th edition, Claude Lelouch filmed the circus scenes of his film "Itinéraire d’un enfant gâté", with the Gruss family in front of the camera. And the list of winners keeps growing: in 2026 the Gold Clowns went to the flying trapeze act The Flying Fuentes Gasca, the Suining troupe and Angelina Richter.

What to look for

Outside show times, you see the big top from the outside as you pass through Fontvieille. Walk around it and look at its tensioned canvas architecture, unusual for a permanent building. If you are in Monaco in January, book an evening at the festival; New Generation, devoted to young performers, also takes place early in the year.

Practical

The big top is in Fontvieille, between Stade Louis II and the Heliport, about twenty minutes on foot from Place d’Armes. Buses serve the nearby "Héliport" stop. The inside is open only during shows, with a ticket. For programme and tickets, see the festival’s official website.

Nearby

Carry on to the Heliport to watch the helicopters take off, then come back via Fontvieille Harbour. In the district, the Church of Saint-Nicolas de Fontvieille now hosts the festival Mass, while the ecumenical celebration remains under the big top. For everything about the next festival, refer to the official website of the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo.

Test yourself

Sources

• Wikipédia : Festival international du cirque de Monte-Carlo
• Wikipedia : International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo
• OpenStreetMap : Chapiteau de Fontvieille

Information checked on 30 September 2026.