Le Prato, National Circus Center in Moulins district, Lille, France

Le Prato occupies the former Le Blan textile mill in the Moulins district of Lille. The red brick building rises several storeys, with closely spaced white-framed windows, a dark band near the flat roof, two satellite dishes and a metal lattice mast on top. A tall round brick chimney stands to the right, and masonry gateposts frame the entrance beneath a sign reading "Le Prato".

It began as an amateur clown group in 1973 and moved into a permanent space within a former flax mill in 1985. This transition from a small troupe to an institutional venue transformed it into a significant arts center for the region.

The venue supports emerging artists through residencies and co-productions focused on circus and theatrical forms. It serves as a meeting point for performers who want to develop their craft in front of an attentive audience.

The venue operates a programming season from September through June with diverse shows across multiple disciplines. It helps to check what is scheduled in advance, as performances range from traditional circus to contemporary experimental works.

Le Prato calls itself the "théâtre international de quartier", a pun on the "théâtre national de région" (today the Théâtre du Nord) created shortly before it. The troupe began in 1973 with amateur clowns and no fixed hall, and Gilles Defacque, still its director, was part of it from the start, alongside Ronny Coutteure.