Academie Fratellini

What Academie Fratellini does

Académie Fratellini is a French non-profit (association loi 1901) circus arts center headquartered in La Plaine-Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis. Founded in 1973 by Annie Fratellini as the first circus arts school open to all in Europe, the institution combines three integrated functions: a higher-education École supérieure (apprenticeship-based CFA program producing the DNSP diploma and Master's specialization), an École amateur offering leisure courses for children and adults, and a creation/diffusion pole producing and touring contemporary circus works. Its pedagogy covers acrobatics, aerial arts, juggling, tightrope, Chinese pole, cyr wheel, and clown, delivered through a curriculum combining coursework with professional performance practice across facilities including the Grand Chapiteau, Petit Chapiteau, Studio Zéro, and Halle. Since 2022, the Fratellini Circus Tour has extended programming across Seine-Saint-Denis municipalities, reaching tens of thousands of residents through partnerships with local governments, cultural venues, and guest companies.

The institution generates revenue through six streams: professional apprentice training (CFA enrollment), amateur course fees, performance ticket sales (€2.50–€20 per ticket, processed via the Mapado platform), venue and equipment rental for private/corporate events, cultural outreach and artistic services to schools and organizations, and private philanthropy including the BNP Paribas Foundation. Operations are supported by a multi-tier public funding base (Ministry of Culture, Département Seine-Saint-Denis, Région Île-de-France, Plaine Commune, Ville de Saint-Denis) and a dense partner network spanning Théâtre Gérard Philipe, MC93, L'Azimut, Espace 1789, FEDEC, and Latin American schools through the Estreno exchange program. Leadership is provided by Director General Stéphane Simonin and Deputy/Pedagogical Director Valérie Fratellini (representing the founding Fratellini family), supported by 3 permanent teachers and 37 instructors training approximately 30 apprentices.

The institution is currently emerging from a major four-year renovation and extension project (2021–2025) — the Nouveau Cirque — designed by Atelier du Pont and targeting BDF silver certification, with grand reopening scheduled for October 2025. It carries the Fratellini legacy dating to the legendary Fratellini brothers of the 1930s and operates within the formal Paris 2024 Olympic Cultural Olympiad framework, with UNESCO recognizing French circus arts as intangible cultural heritage.

Name

Academie Fratellini

Legal name

Académie Fratellini

Website

https://academie-fratellini.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Académie Fratellini is a French non-profit circus arts center in La Plaine-Saint-Denis combining a higher-education apprenticeship school, amateur leisure school, and creation/diffusion pole, serving aspiring circus artists, families, schools, and corporate clients across the Seine-Saint-Denis territory.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Circus Arts Education and Performing Arts

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (71119), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Circus & Physical Theatre (MPAGABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Improvisational Theatre (MPAGABAJ), Theatre Education, Training & Conservatories (MPAGABAN), Circus, Magic & Variety Shows (THAJAFAH)

Keywords

• Circus arts education
• Professional circus training
• Performing arts institution
• Contemporary circus creation
• Cultural outreach programs

Headquarters

HQ city

La Plaine-saint-denis

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Training (École supérieure): Apprenticeship-based professional circus artist training program (CFA/Centre de Formation des Apprentis) where students alternate between coursework and professional practice. Revenue generated through the apprenticeship system and student enrollment.
2. Amateur Leisure Courses: Recreational circus courses for children and adults offered through the École amateur, generating revenue from course enrollment fees.
3. Performance Ticket Sales: Ticket sales for circus performances and shows presented at the Académie Fratellini venues (Grand Chapiteau, Petit Chapiteau, Studio Zéro, Halle) and at partner locations during the Fratellini Circus Tour. Early bird pricing available for advance purchases.
4. Event Rental and Privatization: Rental of spaces (Halle, studios, chapiteaux) for private events, corporate functions, and other occasions. Catering and bar services also generate revenue.
5. Cultural Action and Artistic Services: Workshops, artistic performances, and cultural outreach programs offered to schools, community centers, and organizations. Includes corporate team-building and event entertainment.
6. Private Sponsorship and Philanthropy (Mécénat): Support from private sponsors, philanthropists, and foundations including the BNP Paribas Foundation for specific projects and programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Académie Fratellini operates a trio of integrated circus arts programs: (1) the École supérieure des arts du cirque, a three-year apprenticeship-based professional training program (CFA) preparing circus artists and teachers; (2) the École amateur, providing recreational circus courses for children and adults; and (3) a creation and performance pole producing contemporary circus works presented on-site and through the itinerant Fratellini Circus Tour. Audience reach is delivered via live performances, ticketed shows, school and community outreach, and venue rental for private events.

Product overview

Académie Fratellini is a circus arts center comprising a superior school (École supérieure) offering three-year apprenticeship programs in circus arts, a leisure-time amateur school (École amateur) for children and adults, and a production and performance pole. The institution delivers touring productions through the Fratellini Circus Tour program, provides cultural outreach (Action culturelle), and offers event services including venue rentals, artistic performances, and workshops. Located in La Plaine-Saint-Denis, it is the first purpose-built circus arts institution in France.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fratellini Circus Tour: An itinerant touring project bringing circus performances, workshops, and cultural events to communities across Seine-Saint-Denis territory.
• Estreno
• École supérieure des arts du cirque
• École amateur

Products and services

• École supérieure des arts du cirque Three-year apprenticeship-based professional training program (CFA) covering pre-apprenticeship, formation d'artiste de cirque, formation de professeur·e de cirque, and a Master's specialization in circus arts. Leads to the DNSP (Diplôme National des Professions du Cirque). Trains approximately 30 apprentices per year across all years.
• École amateur Leisure-time circus school offering courses for children and adults in various circus disciplines, with dedicated Enfants and Adultes tracks and registration via the Oasis Pro platform.
• Productions en tournée Touring productions including 'Création jeune public' (young audience productions) and 'Création pour l'espace public' (public space creations) performed by apprentice-artists at partner venues and festivals.
• Fratellini Circus Tour Itinerant circus program presenting performances, workshops, and cultural events in partner cities across the Seine-Saint-Denis territory, including La Courneuve, Saint-Ouen, Pierrefitte-Villetaneuse, Aubervilliers, and Saint-Denis.
• Action culturelle Cultural outreach programs bringing circus arts to schools, community centers, and public spaces across the region, including workshops and heritage education at the Archives Nationales de Pierrefitte.
• Événementiel - Privatisation (Venue Rental) Event rental services offering the academy's spaces (Grand Chapiteau, Petit Chapiteau, studios, Halle) for private events, corporate functions, and team-building activities. Catering and bar services available.
• Prestations artistiques Artistic performance services featuring circus artists for events, corporate entertainment, and team-building activities.
• Ateliers (Workshops) Workshop services offering hands-on circus arts practice sessions for various groups.
• Entraînements libres (Open Training) Open training sessions for circus practitioners to practice on professional equipment.
• Bar et petite restauration Bar and light catering service open during events and performances.
• Billetterie (Ticketing) Online ticketing service for circus performances and events at the academy, operated via the Mapado platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2800+ spectators at first Fratellini Circus Tour Escale in La Courneuve (Sept-Oct 2022)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Théâtre Gérard Philipe, Saint-Denis — Et moi alors? seasoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership with Théâtre Gérard Philipe's 'Et moi alors?' young audience season and Ville de Saint-Denis for 'Quand ça lâche' programming in context of Nuit du Cirque.
• MC93, BobignycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Major partner venue (Maison de la Culture, Scène nationale) hosting Les Envols end-of-study performances of 3rd-year apprentices. Key institutional partner in Seine-Saint-Denis.
• L'Azimut, Antony (Pôle National Cirque)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Partner venue hosting Fratellini Circus Tour performances and co-productions with apprentices. National circus pole with dedicated circus infrastructure.
• Théâtre Gérard Philipe, Saint-Denis (Centre Dramatique National)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Partner CDN (National Drama Theatre) hosting Fratellini Circus Tour performances and co-productions. Hélène Chatelain theater hosting Anna Rodriguez creation.
• Compagnie Basinga (Tatiana-Mosio Bongonga)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Guest company for Escale Saint-Denis, producing Soka Tira Osoa and the landmark Lignes Ouvertes performance. Tatiana-Mosio Bongonga is one of the few female funambulists performing at great heights.
• Mourad Merzouki / Cie KäfigflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Hip-hop dance pioneer created 'Juste un fil' with 2nd-year apprentices, merging circus and hip-hop disciplines for space public performance.
• Compagnie MazelFreten (Nala & Miel)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Hip-hop/electro dance company created 'Signatures' with 1st-year apprentices for public space performance, celebrating individual artistic identities.
• Archives Nationales de PierrefittecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024National archives institution where the Fratellini family archive (1882-1981) is deposited and accessible. Partners on heritage education programs and performances during Journées du Patrimoine.
• Pôle Sup'93coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Higher education music institution in Seine-Saint-Denis whose student musicians collaborate with Académie Fratellini apprentices on performances.
• Espace 1789, Saint-Ouen (scène conventionnée danse)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Partner venue for Escale Saint-Ouen programming, co-presenting circus performances. Scène conventionnée danse (subsidized dance venue).
• Compagnie XYcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Renowned circus company whose work Les Voyages offered was featured at Escale Saint-Ouen. Artistic collaboration for Fratellini Circus Tour programming.
• Compagnie Un Loup pour l'HommecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partner circus company specializing in acrobatic flying/produced acrobatics. Created 'Moi aussi!' young audience show and installed chapiteau at Aubervilliers for Escale.
• EkopolisminorOthers · 1 January 2023Partner in organizing the June 2023 colloquium on construction material reuse, in context of the renovation-extension project sustainability goals.
• CNDB (Conseil National du Numérique pour le Bâtiment)minorOthers · 1 January 2023Partner in the 2023 construction reuse colloquium alongside Ekopolis and Atelier du Pont.
• Collectif ÈScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Choreographic collective created outdoor performance with 1st-year apprentices at L'Azimut, Antony. First collaboration bringing physical, communal choreography to Fratellini Circus Tour.
• Envolée CirquecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partner organization in launching the Fratellini Circus Tour, co-organizing the first Escale at Parc Georges-Valbon, La Courneuve (2022).
• Tricycle EnvironnementminorOthers · 1 January 2022Company responsible for careful deconstruction and material reuse during the renovation-extension project, ensuring sustainable deconstruction of existing structures.
• Ministère de la Culture (Ministry of Culture)coreOthers · 1 January 2021Primary public funding partner supporting the institution's educational programs, creation activities, and the renovation-extension project. Provides ongoing operational and programmatic support.
• Comité Olympique Paris 2024flagshipOthers · 1 January 2021Official partner for Olympic Cultural Olympiad programming, integrating Académie Fratellini and Fratellini Circus Tour into the cultural program accompanying the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
• Département de Seine-Saint-DeniscoreOthers · 1 January 2021Departmental government partner supporting institutional operations, Fratellini Circus Tour, and cultural programming across the territory. President Stéphane Troussel actively engaged with programs.
• Région Île-de-FrancecoreOthers · 1 January 2021Regional government funding partner supporting institutional activities and cultural programming.
• Plaine CommunecoreOthers · 1 January 2021Metropolitan planning authority and partner supporting the institution's development and integration within the La Plaine-Saint-Denis urban development zone.
• Ville de Saint-DeniscoreOthers · 1 January 2021Host city of the main campus and key partner for Escale Saint-Denis programming, including major events like Lignes Ouvertes. Supported by Mayor Karim Bouamrane.
• Atelier du Pont (Architecture Firm)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021Architecture firm designing the renovation and extension project of the Académie Fratellini campus. Known for sustainable and ecological constructions. Project targeting BDF silver certification with emphasis on material reuse.
• Instituto Nacional de Artes Escénicas (Uruguay)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Educational partner in the Estreno international circus arts exchange program, part of cooperation between France and 5 Latin American countries (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay). Coordinates with relay based in Buenos Aires.
• Circo Mundo (Chile)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner school in Estreno program, part of FEDEC network. Contributes to international circus arts exchange and collaborative creation between Latin American and French students.
• La Tarumba (Peru)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner institution in Estreno international exchange program, representing Peru in the South American circus arts education network.
• La Gata Cirko (Colombia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner school in Estreno program, contributing to cross-cultural circus arts exchange between Colombia and France.
• Circo de las Artes (Argentina)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner institution in the Estreno program, coordinating with other Argentine schools including UNSAM and Universidad Tres de Febrero.
• Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (UNSAM, Argentina)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Academic partner contributing to Estreno program; documentary film students from UNSAM documented the 2022 Estreno exchange project.
• FEDEC (Fédération Européenne des Écoles de Cirque)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021European circus school federation network connecting Académie Fratellini with circus schools across Europe and internationally. Estreno program aligned with FEDEC standards.
• BellastockminorOthers · 1 January 2021Pioneer in material reuse and sustainable construction, contributing expertise to the renovation-extension project design.
• ONDA (Office National de Diffusion Artistique)minorOthers · 1 January 2021Supporting organization for artistic distribution, providing support for Fratellini Circus Tour programming at partner venues.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• École Supérieure des Arts du Cirque (ESAC): Belgian higher circus arts school in Brussels offering a three-year professional training program. A direct European peer in apprenticeship-based circus pedagogy and FEDEC network member.
• DOCH (Stockholm University of the Arts) - Circus Program: Swedish university-level circus arts program integrated into Stockholm University of the Arts. Comparable higher-education peer for circus artist training and pedagogical development within a European university structure.
• National Centre for Circus Arts: UK's only nationally recognized circus school, providing professional training and youth programs. Comparable to Académie Fratellini in combining higher education, amateur classes, and creation activities within a single institution.
• École Nationale de Cirque (ENC): Canadian national circus school in Montreal, operating a comprehensive professional training program alongside creation, performance, and outreach. Highly comparable institution combining a higher school, amateur programs, and a creation/diffusion pole similar to Fratellini.
• Centre National des Arts du Cirque (CNAC): France's national higher education institution for circus arts in Châlons-en-Champagne, training professional circus artists on a similar diploma-granting apprenticeship model. The closest direct peer in scale, mission, and pedagogical structure to Académie Fratellini's École supérieure.

Others

• Compagnie XY: Renowned French contemporary circus collective that has collaborated with Académie Fratellini on the Fratellini Circus Tour. Adjacent industry participant rather than a school, but a relevant ecosystem partner and employer of graduates.

Emerging players

• Le Samovar: French circus arts school and creation center with a dual school/creation model, similar in mission to Fratellini but at a smaller scale. Comparable institution focused on amateur and professional pathways with active creation studio.
• L'Azimut - Pôle National Cirque: National circus pole in Antony (Île-de-France) hosting partner performances and co-productions with Académie Fratellini apprentices. As a PNC, it operates adjacent programming (creation, training, diffusion) intersecting with Fratellini's mission.
• La Grainerie - Pôle de Création Cirque: French circus creation, training, and residency center in Toulouse with a comparable dual mission of artist training and production. Comparable French peer in the 'fabrique des arts du cirque' model.

Broad incumbents

• Cirque du Soleil: Global circus entertainment conglomerate that hires graduates from elite circus schools including Fratellini. A broad incumbent rather than a direct training peer, but the most relevant industry leader and potential employer/partner for Académie Fratellini alumni.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@academie-fratellini
• Facebookfacebook.com/ACADEMIE.FRATELLINI
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/academie-fratellini
• Instagraminstagram.com/lacademie.fratellini

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Academie Fratellini