Hugo Marchand Pour la Danse

Making classical dance accessible by taking it out of the theater

The « Hugo Marchand pour la Danse » association helps bring dance out of theaters and share it with a wider audience by offering exceptional performances accessible to everyone at a flat rate of €13. « Classical Dance Discovery » workshops and opportunities to meet the artists are also organized during these weekends.

Founded in 2022 by Hugo Marchand, a principal dancer at the Paris Opera, the association reimagines access to classical and contemporary dance. Instead of traditional theater venues, it takes over the courtyards and gardens of French châteaux and other local heritage gems for the weekend. The *Les Étoiles au Château* project brings together eight exceptional artists—six Paris Opera dancers and two musicians—three times a year, in partnership with producer Alexandra Cardinale. During these weekends, dance workshops and discussion sessions are organized for the association’s partners, including charitable organizations and public institutions (such as Apprentis d’Auteuil and Child Welfare services).

Now active in several French regions—including Normandy, Centre-Val de Loire, Burgundy, and PACA—the association partners with iconic historical monuments such as the Château de Chambord, Mont Saint-Michel, and the Château de Digoine. Through these collaborations, it aims to make dance a vehicle for cultural diversity across the country.

Since its inception, the association has organized eleven *Les Étoiles au Château* performance weekends, drawing over 30,000 spectators; three new dates are scheduled for 2026 in the Ille-et-Vilaine, Loir-et-Cher, and Ardèche departments.