Marc Gourreau | Destination Granville Land and Sea

Meet Marc Gourreau

A brief overview of his career

He studied Performing Arts and then Literature as part of a dual bachelor’s degree programme. He explains that he chose the literary path to meet his parents’ expectations, as they wanted him to pursue ‘serious’ studies. In the 1990s, he helped set up the university festival ‘Les Fous de la rampe’ and also began writing his first plays (Fous Alliés and Histoires d’Hommes).

His professional career then developed through a series of roles in the cultural and theatre sectors. He worked as a conscientious objector at the Théâtre de Caen, then with a dance company in Le Havre, and subsequently at the Théâtre de la Presqu’île, Michel Vivier’s Granville-based theatre company. He then continued his career at the Athéna cultural centre in Auray, in Morbihan, as a public relations officer. He then returned to Normandy with the founding ofL’Archipel in 2001, where he held the positions of project manager and then deputy director, before becoming its director in 2017.

A passion for the performing arts that began in childhood

His desire to work in the performing arts stems from childhood memories, when he used to be looked after by his grandparents. He recalls the impact of Thierry Le Luron, for example: “My parents would leave me with my grandparents, and I used to admire this man who could imitate other people’s voices so well,” he says.

He says he was also inspired during that time by other figures, such as Bourvil, Fernand Raynaud, Jacqueline Maillan and Fernandel, who fuelled his imagination and strengthened that early connection with the theatre.

What still excites him today, after all these years in the cultural sector, is the idea that theatre remains, in his own words, “a bottomless well that constantly nourishes you, that puts your life and the lives of others into perspective by approaching societal issues from different angles ”, he confides.

He adds that he is deeply committed to public service: “I owe my appreciation for the importance of public service to my parents. It is thanks to this invaluable public service in France that society still makes sense and enables us to move forward together. Culture is a fundamental pillar of this, which must accompany our lives as enlightened citizens.”

In 2025, he wrote a novel entitled *Blessure d’Indochine*, published by Anépigraphe. This work gave rise to a stage adaptation (*Garde-Boue!*) by the Jura-based company Théâtre Group’, which specialises in street theatre. The play was very well received by audiences at its premiere and was awarded the prestigious three ‘T’s by the critics at Télérama magazine.

A success achieved by the whole team

For Marc, what makesthe GranvilleArchipelago unique is, above all, its audience. He believes it is essential to meet their expectations whilst occasionally allowing oneself to stray from them, in order to open up new perspectives and venture into different subjects.

The Sorties de bain festival holds a special place. He describes it as a collective endeavour, driven by a dedicated team, supported by numerous volunteers, ‘the lifeblood of this event’. In his view, it is a festival where people are as much participants as they are spectators: “In the street, there is no stage or auditorium; the audience are on the same level as the performers, which is why it radiates such tremendous energy!”

He also recalls how the locals’ perception of the event has evolved: “When the people of Granville accepted that our town would become a ‘street arts’ destination, that was the greatest reward of all for me and my team,” he says.

A message for the younger generations

To conclude, we asked him if he would like to send a message to younger people. Without hesitation, he replied: “Dare to take risks and continue to defend, through art, freedom of expression and diversity. It is one of our most precious assets!”

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