Dixmontel

A micro-festival born from a love of music and sharing

In 2020, at the height of the first lockdown, a handful of friends passionate about electronic music imagined a collective project: a micro-festival that would bring their loved ones together around music, far from the noise of big cities. This is how Dixmontel was born, driven by the Grossomodo collective, whose name itself is a nod to the unifying and resourceful spirit of the project. The idea: to combine intimate scenography, musical demands drawing from all styles and eras, and human warmth that would make each edition a true family celebration.

The chosen location lives up to this ambition: the Prieuré de l'Enfourchure, founded in 1205 by the order of Grandmont, nestled in a valley at the edge of the Othe forest, in the town of Dixmont in the Yonne. This exceptional setting, both historical and natural, offers an extraordinary atmosphere that greatly contributes to the festival's unique magic.

A festival universe in its own right

Dixmontel stands in stark contrast to large festivals with its deliberately micro and intimate format. Only a few hundred festival-goers gather each summer to share several days of festivities centered around two complementary musical stages. The carefully selected program mixes electronic music, house, dance music, and sound experiments, bringing together emerging artists and figures from the French and international underground scene.

But Dixmontel is more than just music. The spirit of the festival is that of an ephemeral village where every detail counts. A radio chill-out area allows festival-goers to recharge between sets. A rustic campsite in the heart of the estate extends the party until the next morning. Fun activities, a craft market, and various entertainment punctuate the days, while local and gourmet food stands satisfy the most demanding appetites.

The Prieuré de l'Enfourchure, a unique medieval setting

Classified as a Historical Monument, the Prieuré de l'Enfourchure is one of the most unique sites in the Yonne. Founded at the beginning of the 13th century by the monks of Grandmont in an isolated valley, it offers Dixmontel a setting steeped in history and poetry. Its gardens, ruins, and green spaces host the stages, stalls, and festival-goers in a proximity that reinforces the feeling of belonging to something unique. As night falls, the stage lights reflect on the old stones, creating an atmosphere that no other festival can replicate.

This marriage between medieval heritage and contemporary electronic music is undoubtedly one of the keys to Dixmontel's growing appeal. In just a few editions, word-of-mouth has done its work, and the festival has managed to bring together, beyond the initial circle of the collective's friends, a loyal community of diggers, music lovers, and festival-goers seeking an alternative to large, industrialized events.

The history of the editions

The first edition took place in the summer of 2021, with a still very confidential, almost secret, spirit. However, it laid the groundwork for what would become the festival's signature: quality electronic programming, an exceptional venue, and a warm, inclusive atmosphere driven by values of sharing, hospitality, kindness, respect, inclusion, and curiosity.

The second edition, from August 12-14, 2022, marked a significant increase in scale. The capacity expanded slightly, the lineup grew with about thirty artists — Anaco, Baraka, Bambi, Ears On Earth, Hewan Aman, Maelita, The Pilotwings, Vitamine, Chewchew, Secret Wife, and many others — and the activities diversified: glitter bar, giant fair, bingo, environmental workshop, meditation, cinema, flash tattoos, and an upcycled clothing market. Shuttles from Villeneuve-sur-Yonne and a carpooling service via Togetzer facilitated access to the site.

The third edition, from August 4-6, 2023, confirmed the festival's place in the French electronic scene. Several dozen artists and DJs — including A Strange Wedding, Bambi, Hawa Sarita, Charly & Scotch, Julie Desire — took over the priory gardens for three days of creative and musical encounters. The edition attracted festival-goers from all over the Paris region and Burgundy-Franche-Comté, demonstrating the event's growing reputation.

The fourth edition takes place from July 31 to August 3, 2025, confirming Dixmontel's summer gathering and its status as an essential micro-festival in the Yonne. The 2026 edition, with dates to be announced by the Grossomodo collective, follows this dynamic of controlled growth, remaining true to the project's original spirit.

A community driven by strong values

The Dixmontel Family — as its members call it — is composed exclusively of committed volunteers. This militant and associative dimension gives the festival a special energy, a sense of collective spirit that is felt in every detail of the organization. Festival-goers are not customers but full participants in the adventure, invited to contribute to the success of a common project.

Rinse FM, the iconic radio station of the London electronic scene, has regularly featured the Dixmontel festival, a sign of its recognition beyond French borders. This international visibility attests to the quality and originality of a program that successfully blends underground electronic culture with a festive village atmosphere.