Festival de l'Arbre Bavard
Festival of living arts for young creators in Mayenne
About L'Arbre Bavard
The Festival de l'Arbre Bavard is an open-air performing arts festival organized on the first weekend of August in Andouillé, Mayenne. Created in 2021 by actress Alisma Boulay and a collective of young enthusiasts, it supports emerging artists and companies by programming about ten short performances of theater, circus, dance, puppetry, and storytelling at the Crapa leisure center. Committed to an eco-responsible approach, the festival offers local vegetarian catering, friendly camping, and scenography made from recycled materials.
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A springboard for young creators
The Festival de l'Arbre Bavard is a unique cultural event in Mayenne, entirely focused on discovering and supporting emerging artists. Founded in 2021 by Alisma Boulay, an actress trained at the Le Mans Conservatory of Dramatic Art, and a collective of eight passionate young organizers, the festival was born from a collective desire to revive culture in rural areas after the cancellations of summer 2020. The L'Arbre Bavard association, created to carry this project, now brings together about sixty volunteers each year.
Open-air performing arts in Andouillé
Every first weekend of August, the Crapa leisure center, in the heart of Andouillé, transforms into a true festival village. Four open-air stage areas host about ten short performances, lasting 20 to 50 minutes, played twice a day. The audience creates their own itinerary throughout the day, moving between offerings of theater, circus, dance, puppetry, and storytelling. The evenings extend the experience with festive entertainment: DJ sets, karaoke, and cabaret under the stars.
A festival rooted in its territory
L'Arbre Bavard is deeply rooted in the local Mayenne fabric. The catering highlights local producers: fouées and sweet and savory crepes, vegetarian dishes made from local products, craft beers from Montflours, cider and apple juice from Andouillé, and syrups from Saint-Gemmes. The festival encourages sustainable transport by offering a free crepe to every festival-goer arriving by bike and organizing shuttles from Laval train station.
An ecological and solidarity commitment
The eco-responsible approach is at the heart of the project. The festival uses dry toilets, reusable ecocups, compostable tableware, and scenography made from recycled materials. The catering is exclusively vegetarian and favors short supply chains. Camping, accessible to all ticket holders, offers shared showers, toilets, and breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday mornings, reinforcing the friendly and collective spirit of the event.
Rapid growth
Since its creation, the festival has experienced remarkable growth. The call for projects for the 6th edition in 2026 received over 800 applications, demonstrating the growing attractiveness of this event for young companies nationally and internationally. A one-week artistic workshop, covering theater, scenography, technical aspects, and stage management, is offered alongside the festival, further enriching the support for aspiring artists.
L'Arbre Bavard — edition 2026
6th edition of the Festival de l'Arbre Bavard in Andouillé. Three days of open-air performing arts with shows of theater, circus, dance, puppetry, and performance by young emerging companies. Over 800 applications received for the call for projects.
L'Arbre Bavard 2026: 6th Edition
The 6th edition of the Festival de l'Arbre Bavard will take place on August 7th, 8th, and 9th, 2026 in Andouillé, at the Crapa leisure center. The call for projects was met with exceptional success, receiving over 800 applications before its early closure, confirming the festival's growing influence among young companies.
The program will feature shows of theater, circus, dance, puppetry, and performance, suitable for open-air and daytime performances, lasting from 20 to 45 minutes for short formats and up to 1 hour and 15 minutes for the opening show. An artistic workshop will be held from August 3rd to 9th, covering theater, scenography, technical aspects, and stage management.
True to its values, the festival will continue its ecological and solidarity commitment, with local vegetarian catering, friendly camping, and shuttles from Laval train station.
Highlights L'Arbre Bavard 2026
- 6th edition of the festival
- Over 800 applications received for the call for projects
- Shows of theater, circus, dance, puppetry, and performance
- Artistic workshop from August 3rd to 9th, 2026
- Camping, local catering, and shuttles from Laval station
Practical information — L'Arbre Bavard
Practical Information
Location
Base de loisirs Crapa, bourg d'Andouillé (53240), Mayenne.
Entrance via Impasse de la Daumerie.
Dates
First weekend of August, from Friday evening to Sunday evening.
- Friday: 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Prices (2025 edition)
- Weekend Pass: €24 (reduced €18)
- 1-Day Pass: €16 (reduced €12)
- Friday Evening Pass: €5
- Free for under 14s
Online ticketing at Billetweb. Payment by credit card and cash on site.
Access
- By car: Andouillé is located 15 km north of Laval, accessible via the D31. Free parking on site.
- By train: Laval SNCF station (TGV Paris-Rennes). Free shuttle Laval station ↔ festival upon reservation at [email protected] or at 06 48 70 76 03.
- By bike: Secure bike parking. A free crepe for every arrival by bike!
- Carpooling: Carpooling platform available on the festival website.
Camping
Free camping on site on Friday and Saturday nights, accessible to anyone with an entrance ticket. Showers, toilets, and communal breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Catering
Bar and catering on site with local Mayenne products:
- Fouées and sweet and savory crepes
- Vegetarian dishes made from local products
- Craft beers from Montflours
- Cider and apple juice from Andouillé
- Artisanal syrups from Saint-Gemmes
Accessibility
The site is accessible for people with reduced mobility (paths and grassy areas). Do not hesitate to contact the team for any specific needs.
Eco-responsible approach
Vegetarian catering, dry toilets, reusable ecocups, compostable tableware, decoration from recycled materials.
Contact
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 07 68 64 43 51
- Website: larbre-bavard.fr
- Instagram: @larbrebavard
- Facebook: larbrebavard
- TikTok: @larbrebavard
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach L'Arbre Bavard at the best price.
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Where does it take place — L'Arbre Bavard
Base de loisirs Crapa
Impasse de la Daumerie, 53240 Andouillé