Festival 48ème de Rue

The Festival 48ème de Rue: Street Arts in the Heart of Mende

Since 2007, the Festival 48ème de Rue has transformed the prefecture of Lozère into a huge open-air stage every summer. Organized by the association Labo'Art, this event has become a major cultural gathering in the department, launching the Mende summer season each year with three days of festivities at the beginning of July.

A Rich and Eclectic Program

The festival offers a dual program that makes it unique:

• The IN: Official selection shows presented on dedicated sites such as Rue Chanteronne, Le Castillo, and the La Vabre and Petite Vabre parking lots. These performances are accessible with the Pass Solidarité bracelet.
• The OFF: Free shows taking over the emblematic squares and streets of Mende: Place Chaptal, Place Volterra, Place Henri Trémolet de Villers, Place de la République, Halle au Blé, Place Urbain V, and the areas around the Musée du Gévaudan.

About forty companies, mostly from Occitanie, perform in a wide variety of disciplines: street theater, circus, dance, music, singing, clowns, puppets, and participatory performances. The festival mixes humor, emotion, poetry, and artistic daring to offer shows accessible to all audiences.

A Popular and Friendly Festival

The spirit of the 48ème de Rue is based on friendliness, sharing, and accessibility. The festival is designed to welcome a wide audience: families, groups of friends, couples, and curious passers-by. The OFF shows are completely free, while the IN program remains very affordable thanks to the solidarity bracelet system.

For three days, the streets of Mende vibrate to the rhythm of performances, parades, and encounters between artists and spectators. The event fully contributes to the animation of the city center and the cultural enhancement of the Lozère region.

Strong Local Roots

The festival highlights regional companies and fosters exchanges between local artists and invited troupes. It is part of a year-round cultural dynamic driven by Labo'Art, with other events such as La Rue du Livre or partnerships with the city of Mende for Les Toqués du Cèpe and the Festival de l'Humour.

An Event That Has Grown

Since its creation in 2007, the 48ème de Rue has continuously developed, growing from a small local festival to an event recognized at the regional level. In 2024, the festival celebrated its 18th anniversary with a special edition marked by the presence of about forty companies. The 2025 edition, titled "Des Sens dans la Rue !" (Senses in the Street!), confirmed the event's dynamism with its 19th edition hosting around thirty companies and offering circus, theater, music, dance, and many other artistic forms.