©Christophe Bonvarlet Thirty years of giants and urban theater
From the 'Giant fallen from the sky' to the arrival of the Traveling Monitor lizard who triumphs over Lilith with the Dragon, Calais has established itself in France as a stronghold of street theatre. François Delaroziere's titanic creatures are now part of Calais's identity. A look back at three decades of emotion and happiness.
Calais, a pioneering city of street theatre
In May 1994, the Channel Tunnel was inaugurated. Calais strengthened its already strong position as a European crossroads with its port. The enthusiasm was palpable; this dynamism was celebrated. In a big way.
The Royal de Luxe Company is announced. At the time, this name didn't mean much to the majority of Calais residents. The wait was there, filled with questions. The information reeled off by The Channel, National Scene, pilot of the event, talk about street theater and Calais as a life-size setting for a story, for a few days. It is above all the presence of a giant that intrigues: he will wander through the heart of Calais, among the inhabitants invited to welcome him.
Discover the National Scene Channel
©Laurent Puisse The people of Calais will be captivated and amazed. The meeting takes place on a quayside in the port. They discover a giant lying down and asleep in the early morning, breathing, and even snoring! Day breaks over the city, revealing settings and entertainment that are, to say the least, surprising. The show 'The Giant Who Fell from the Sky' by Royal de Luxe is underway. The Giant wakes up, gets up, and sets off for the city. For several days, his wanderings are followed by tens of thousands of spectators, from Calais and far beyond. The city breathes to the rhythm of the breath of this Giant who is immediately adopted. A collective magic, cradled by emotion and wonder, hovers over the streets of Calais until the final scene. This one is heartbreaking. The departure of the Giant from the Western Basin brings many tears to the eyes...
©Laurent Ouisse From Royal Deluxe to the Machine
Calais has capsized and is asking for more. But such a spectacle is exceptional, and the charm also lies in the mutual anticipation. Calais has entered the select circle of cities in the world where Royal de Luxe shares its universe. The various machines—and their astonishingly virtuosic attendants—transform Calais into an open-air theater. Some even evoke the role of an actor, given the urban space's use.
In 1997, The company is in artist residency in Cameroon. Africa inspires and ideas germinate, new machines too. Royal de Luxe creates two new urban epics, 'The Little Giant' et 'The Giraffe Hunters'Calais is decked out in flags, days of celebration will follow one after the other in July 1998 and in 2000. Royal de Luxe, François Delaroziere and his machines return to conquered territory in arteries that lend themselves so well to these spectacular strolls and to the unfolding of stories that are both moving and captivating.
The magic happens again in 2005! This time, an elephant and a little girl come to meet an audience, including an ever-growing fan base. After this new triumph, the wait will be longer…
©Royal de Luxe 
©Christophe Bonvarlet 
In June 2016, François Delaroziere and his spectacular creations are (finally) returning to Calais, under the aegis of his own company, The Machine.
The Hauts-de-France public's attachment is intact. The crowd is faithful to the event, to live in the footsteps of Long Ma and the Kumo Spider. The two creatures seek each other out in the streets of Calais, and among the powerful images, the one of the Kumo spider hanging from the belfry has left its mark! 'Long Ma, the spirit of the dragon horse' has spectacularly rekindled the flame between Calais and these fantastic machines, providers of joy and emotion.
The Dragon of Calais
Since then, a new page has been written... and even a new book! It is of great magnitude. Since 2019, Calais is proud to have 'The Dragon' among his own people, in permanent residence. He was welcomed with pomp and enthusiasm in November 2019 during a grand spectacle still etched in the memory of the 400 visitors who saw him appear on the beach at Calais.
Certainly, Calais's appetite for these urban giants was proven: but to go from there to imagining a machine in residence, like the metropolises of Nantes and its elephant or Toulouse and its Minotaur...
And yet! The arrival of the Dragon was much more than the arrival of a tourist flagship. It was the beginning of a vast artistic, cultural, and social project promoting urban development and heritage.
What is being written? A true urban tale, part of a collective history that goes far beyond an unusual seaside stroll. Calais has embarked on an adventure that will see other species arrive on its streets on a permanent basis, offering a new perspective during daily journeys aboard these creatures.
Discover the Dragon Company
©Angelique Lyleire 
©Fred Collier The Traveling Monitor and the United Dragon
This November, the Dragon of Calais welcomed the Varan of Voyage à Calais. For three days, the city experienced its biggest, grandest, and most ambitious urban theater spectacle. The Dragon and the Varan thwarted the plans of Lilith, the Guardian of Darkness from Hellfest.
Traveling on the back of a monitor lizard
From December 20, 2025
The Traveling Varan, inspired by the real-life Varan Perenti, can take up to 25 seated passengers on rides. Sharing DNA with the giant reptile, the Varan traveled across Australia and then Europe, guided by a mysterious magnetic wave emitted by the dragon. After defeating Lilith, the Guardian of Darkness, the Varan will continue to watch over the city's neighborhoods throughout the year, beginning with the Courgain Maritime district.
Discover the Dragon Company
That's more than 500,000 people who held their breath until the final denouement, where the two reptiles finally turned the tables on the Guardian, banishing her from the city. Once again, Compagnie la Machine, Compagnie du Dragon, the City of Calais, and Calais XXL have loudly and proudly affirmed our unique identity, a blend of audacity and XXL-scale street theatre.
Watch our day-by-day recaps of the traveling monitor lizard's odyssey:
©Nohcab 
©Nohcab