Miramont honors its circus past

A circus-themed exposition honoring Alfred Court is presented
in Miramont-de-Guyenne through Aug. 2017.

The traditional circus is waning — perhaps for the best — as the taming and training of wild animals has fallen out of favor. However the old-time circus with its dancing bears, prancing horses and ferocious lions, punctuated by bright colors, clowns and cotton candy, is a cherished memory for many who remember spending a warm afternoon under the chapiteau. The village of Miramont-de-Guyenne in the Lot-et-Garonne department, which was the longtime winter home of the Alfred Court Zoo Circus, is hosting an exhibition honoring its very own lion-tamer extraordinaire.

A circus-themed exposition honoring Alfred Court is presented in
Miramont-de-Guyenne through Aug. 2017.

Alfred Court was born on New Year's Day in 1883, the 10th child of a wealthy Marseille couple. More acrobat than aristocrat, Court joined the circus when he was 20 and soon joined John North Ringling's Barnum Circus as part of the Orpington trio.

An old photo of Le Trio Orpington with Alfred Court, right, is part
of an exposition in Miramont-de-Guyenne through Aug. 2017.

Soon Court become famous for his animal-taming talents. In addition to lions, Court's colleagues included tigers, polar bears and leopards. A bio in the Barnum Circus program called Court "the finest trainer of wild animals that we have ever known." It went on to say, "We know he is the kindest, the most understanding."

A miniature depicts a performance under the Big Top at a circus-themed exposition
in Miramont-de-Guyenne through Aug. 2017.

The back-stage area of the circus in miniature is part of an exposition in
Miramont-de-Guyenne through Aug. 2017.

For many decades, Alfred Court's Zoo Circus traveled throughout the world, but even circus performers need a vacation, so during the winter months, Court brought his lions, tigers, bears, horses and the rest of his menagerie to Miramont-de-Guyenne. The community embraced its part-time circus family, and now, decades later, the village is honoring Albert Court with an exposition.

Circus costumes including these snazzy red boots are part of
an exposition in Miramont-de-Guyenne through Aug. 2017.

Circus miniatures are on display as part of an exposition in Miramont-de-Guyenne
through Aug. 2017.

Featuring vintage circus posters, newspaper clippings, costumes, miniatures and memorabilia, the expo is a colorful homage to Court and his circus. Expo organizers have made good use of the small space in the town's Hôtel de Ville, and my only quibble is that the six-page explanation that visitors can read while on site, is only offered in French. With so many English-speaking residents and visitors in this area, an English translation would have been appreciated.

Miramont-de-Guyenne's Hôtel de Ville hosts a circus-themed exhibition
through Aug. 2017.

Exposition Hommage à Alfred Court, Retour du Zoo Circus is open during business hours: 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:45-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The exhibition, which is free, continues through the month of August.

A circus-themed exposition honoring Alfred Court is presented
in Miramont-de-Guyenne through Aug. 2017.