A french family circus has decided to sit out the pandemic in a car park site in southern Belgium after COVID-19 regulations have prevented them performing.

The Zavatelli Circus usually travels to 30 cities each year, but since the start of the pandemic has only been to able to perform with reduced capacity, or not at all during Belgium's two lockdowns.

And despite all non-essential shops in Belgium being allowed to reopen, circuses must remain closed until further notice. 

The troupe could return to France, but the same restrictions would apply to them there.

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Zavatelli Circus director Kevin Dubois said: "For us, the confinement is very difficult, because we are not working. We have no cash flow. Frankly, it is becoming an issue because we have 60 animals to feed [which costs] 500 euros per week [$598]."

"It represents 1,200 kilograms of food. And there are 25 people [who work for the circus]. Frankly, it gets very, very difficult. We don't know how to make ends meet," he added.

The circus was formerly known as the Cirque de Paris and is one of three family operations that date back to 1800. The other two, Armando and Anderland are also camped at the same park site in Gembloux, a town 50 kilometers south of Brussels.

Zavatelli has criticized the lack of government support during the crisis but has praised the kindness of others. 

"We did not receive any financial assistance [from the authorities]. On the other hand, a lot of people gave us bread, carrots, bring us seeds, hay. But in terms of money, we did not get anything," Dubois said. 

The hope is that restrictions will soon be eased so that all three traveling circuses can travel and perform again.

Video editing: Terry Wilson