The Cirque Jules Verne - previously called as the Cirque Municipal - is located just on the…read moreoutskirts of the old city centre. Originally built in 1889 to replace an older wooden structure that was used every year for celebrating the Fair of St. John it was designed by Emile Riquier, a student of Gustave Eiffel and was recently renamed after the world famous Amiens author Jules Verne - who helped inaugurate the building.
It's one of the few cirques to survive to the present day, and has been designated a historical monument. It functions now as a sort of multi-purpose performance space - used as circus, convention center, multipurpose theater, it hosts meetings, parties, film screenings, competitions boxing or wrestling, and variety shows.
It was recently renovated in 2002-2003 but retains its original look and feel. Since the renovation it offers a full season of circus arts (there's even a circus school!) as well as other live shows and concerts.
