Paris Firefighters Acrobatic Show | Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione

• The Paris firefighters presented a unique acrobatics number at the Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione in Paris.
• Uniforms, ladders, fire hoses… Enough to amaze a won over audience.
• But the number is also the fruit of long work and numerous rehearsals for the acrobatic fire soldiers.

Despite their uniforms, their ladders and their fire hoses, the public has a hard time believing that they are real Paris firefighters. “You wouldn’t say that they are acrobats like that, basically they are firefighters who come to save people, but then, putting on a show like that…”, marvels a spectator in the report at the top of this article. Because this year, the Paris firefighters have set themselves a big challenge: putting on an acrobatics number for the Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione.

Among the participants, Tanguy. When he is not on the track, this firefighter spends his days at the station, ready to intervene in the event of an emergency. Every morning at 8 a.m., his routine is the same: check the intervention equipment then take the plank test to assess his form. A must for all members of the barracks. The young man’s day is generally punctuated by interventions… But not only that. Because for several years, Tanguy has also been an acrobat.

The “consecration”

The firefighter thus discovered the circus after entering his station. “I didn’t know and now I like both so that’s good”, he laughs. Especially since before arriving at the Cirque d’Hiver, we had to rehearse. A lot. But Tanguy has an advantage: he started gymnastics at 6 years old and every week from now on, he trains with his friends. The number presented at the Cirque d’Hiver thus rewards the days of hard work. “It’s a bit of the consecration of quite a few years of work,” recognizes the fire soldier.

A show designed under the eye of Joseph Bouglione, the boss of the Cirque d’Hiver. “There’s a great level, absolutely, that’s what’s incredible. They do everything, they do aerials, they do balances. It’s not just gymnastics, it’s also acrobatics that we do at the Cirque as artistshe rejoices. They are very, very good, there is absolutely nothing to say.”

But just before entering the ring, behind the scenes of the circus, not far from much more experienced professional artists, these rather unusual acrobats do not hide their apprehension. “Stressed, proud and we are motivated more than ever I think”, says Tanguy. But once on the track, the mission is accomplished, hands down.