Malandain Ballet Biarritz

Founded in 1998, the Centre Chorégraphique National de Nouvelle-Aquitaine en Pyrénées-Atlantiques / Malandain Ballet Biarritz has swiftly risen to prominence within the French choreographic scene. The company boasts a dedicated ensemble of 22 permanent dancers and enjoys a prestigious reputation, marked by approximately one hundred performances annually across French, European, and international venues.

Thierry Malandain, the artistic director, has crafted over 85 choreographies, emphasizing a repertoire that celebrates the expressive potential of the dancing body—highlighting its strength, virtuosity, humanity, and sensuality. His works are renowned for their profound musicality and his distinctive approach to blending modern and classical elements, seamlessly integrating contemporary issues with historical themes. This unique style is vividly embodied by the company’s performers, each a master of ballet technique, bringing Malandain’s vision to life through their artistry.

In recognition of his significant contributions to dance, Thierry Malandain was inducted into the Choreography Department of the Académie des beaux-arts in 2019, joining esteemed colleagues such as Blanca Li, Angelin Preljocaj, and Carolyn Carlson. In 2026, the Centre Chorégraphique National will reach a significant milestone, concluding 28 years under the leadership of Thierry Malandain, who will officially retire in December of that year.

« Thierry Malandain is a paradoxical artist. A learned creator who knows the history of music as well as that of ballet by heart, he composes a dance that does away with words. Pure movement naturally flows from this. »

Philippe Noisette, Les Échos

« Thierry Malandain creates movement through the accumulation of precise gestures. Hence the extreme refinement of a choreographic phrase that is born from small overlapping waves in order to achieve the fluidity and naturalness that are his hallmark. »

Laurence Liban, L’Express