Franco-Belgian Circus: Vénissieux Clarifies Installation Terms

The municipality of Vénissieux states that the installation of the Franco-Belgian Circus, scheduled from October 12 to November 10, 2026, was decided by the Lyon Metropolis and the Prefecture without…

Generic image of a French town hall facade, without elements specific to the news.
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Generic image of a French town hall facade, without elements specific to the news.

The City of Vénissieux has sought to clarify the circumstances surrounding the announced installation of the Franco-Belgian Circus on its territory, from October 12 to November 10, 2026. The municipality regrets that this decision, made on land belonging to the Lyon Metropolis, was carried out without prior consultation with its services.

The installation of the Franco-Belgian Circus was decided in conjunction with the services of the Rhône Prefecture. The City of Vénissieux, not owning the land in question, did not have the authority to decide on its occupation. The agreement was established between the Lyon Metropolis and the Rhône Prefecture, without the City being consulted beforehand.
The municipality emphasizes that this lack of consultation on a decision directly impacting its territory is regrettable. It also recalls that the financial convention falls under the responsibility of the Metropolis.
Regarding animal welfare, the City of Vénissieux reaffirms its unfavorable stance on the use of captive animals in circus performances, given the Franco-Belgian Circus's proposal to feature animals.
The municipality specifies that these points aim to outline the conditions under which this installation was decided and the responsibilities of each institution. It remains committed to prior consultation between institutions for any decision concerning its territory.
Based on information from the official source: Ville de Vénissieux (16/10/2026)