Festival des Mascarets
The multidisciplinary and free festival that opens summer in Pont-Audemer
2026
About Les Mascarets
Les Mascarets — edition 2026
Festival des Mascarets 2026 — Summer begins in Pont-Audemer
Organized by the City of Pont-Audemer, the Festival des Mascarets kicks off the town's festive season every summer. The 2026 edition runs from July 4 to 13 and maintains its entirely free, multidisciplinary format, held outdoors in the town center, which is crisscrossed by the branches of the Risle river.
Ten days of free entertainment
On the program: concerts, shows, street performances, themed evenings, outdoor cinema, exhibitions, sports events, and activities for all ages. Everything is free and open to everyone, perfect for enjoying with family or friends in the heart of Pont-Audemer, around the rue de la République and the banks of the Risle.
Signature events for the weekend of July 11 and 12
On Saturday, July 11, Pont'O Rétro brings together fans of vintage and classic vehicles: cars arrive from 12:15 PM, and the street is closed to traffic from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM for the exhibition. That same afternoon, the Pont'Eau Pastèque sends costumed participants floating down the Risle on tubes, from the skate park to the pontoon near the town hall, in groups of ten every fifteen minutes starting at 3:00 PM.
On Sunday, July 12, the Mascarets races take over with a 5 km run, a half-marathon, a 10 km run, and youth races. Bib collection is at the salle de la Risle, rue des Carmes.
Fireworks to close the festival
On Monday, July 13, at 11:15 PM, the fireworks will be launched from the banks of the Risle, quai Félix Faure, bringing the Mascarets to a close on the eve of the national holiday. Admission is free.
Follow the program
The detailed day-by-day program is published by the City of Pont-Audemer, online and via the "Les Mascarets" app. During the festival, the festival house welcomes the public at the tourist office, 11 rue Thiers. For information: 02 32 41 08 15.
Highlights Les Mascarets 2026
- Fireworks on Monday, July 13, at 11:15 PM, launched from the banks of the Risle (quai Félix Faure): the festival finale
- Pont'Eau Pastèque on Saturday, July 11: costumed tube descent of the Risle, from the skate park to the town hall pontoon, launches starting at 3:00 PM
- Pont'O Rétro on Saturday, July 11: vintage and classic vehicle gathering in the town center, exhibition from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- The Mascarets races on Sunday, July 12: 5 km at 8:00 AM, half-marathon at 8:10 AM, 10 km at 10:30 AM, and youth races, starting from the salle de la Risle
- Ten days of concerts, shows, street entertainment, outdoor cinema, and exhibitions, all completely free
Programme Les Mascarets 2026
Saturday, July 11, 2026 — Pont'O Rétro
- From 12:15 PM — Arrival of vintage and classic vehicles · town center
- 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM — Vehicle exhibition, street closed to traffic (prior registration required with the Course & Collection association)
Saturday, July 11, 2026 — Pont'Eau Pastèque, the Risle tube descent
- 2:30 PM — Event opening and participant check-in (registration, costume, safety)
- 2:45 PM — Warm-up for the first four groups and life jacket distribution
- 3:00 PM — Launch of the first participants · departure in front of the skate park, arrival at the pontoon near the town hall (approx. 15-minute descent, groups of 10 every 15 minutes)
- 4:00 PM — Second session, after warm-up (a third session at 5:00 PM depending on the number of participants)
- Descent open to ages 12 and up, for those who can swim; life jacket provided and mandatory, closed-toe shoes mandatory, costumes requested. Prior registration is mandatory; no on-site registration.
Sunday, July 12, 2026 — The Mascarets Races
- 8:00 AM — 5 km
- 8:10 AM — Half-marathon (21.1 km)
- 10:30 AM — 10 km
- Youth races: school age 750 m, "poussins" 1,100 m, "benjamins" 1,950 m
- Bib collection at the salle de la Risle, rue des Carmes
Monday, July 13, 2026 — Fireworks
- 11:15 PM — Fireworks launched from the banks of the Risle, quai Félix Faure · free access
Throughout the festival, July 4 to 13, 2026
- Outdoor concerts and shows in the town center
- Street entertainment and themed evenings
- Outdoor cinema
- Exhibitions and activities for all ages
- Sports and leisure
The detailed day-by-day program is published by the City of Pont-Audemer and shared via the "Les Mascarets" app. Information at the festival house, tourist office, 11 rue Thiers, 02 32 41 08 15.
Prices Les Mascarets 2026
Les Mascarets — 2027 edition
The 2026 edition was held from 4 July to 13 July 2026. The dates for the 2027 edition have not been announced yet. This page will be updated as soon as the official programme is published.
Practical information — Les Mascarets
Getting there
Pont-Audemer is located in the Eure department, between Rouen and Le Havre. The festival takes place outdoors in the town centre, around the Rue de la République and the banks of the Risle river.
- By car: From Rouen (55 km), take the A13 motorway, exit 25 for Pont-Audemer. From Le Havre (45 km), take the A13 and follow signs for Pont-Audemer. From Paris (160 km), take the A13 towards Caen.
- Parking: Free parking is available in the town centre and surrounding areas. Please note that some town centre streets are closed to traffic during the festivities.
Opening hours
Events run from morning until night throughout the festival, with concerts and performances held in the evening. The fireworks display takes place on the banks of the Risle at Quai Félix Faure at 11:15 pm.
Admission
The festival is free and open to everyone; all concerts, shows, and activities are free to attend. Some specific events require prior registration and do not accept sign-ups on the day: the Pont'Eau Pastèque rubber ring race, the Pont'O Rétro vintage vehicle gathering, and the Mascarets races (5 km, 10 km, half-marathon, and youth races).
Festival information centre
During the festival, the information centre is located at the Tourist Office, 11 Rue Thiers. It is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with extended hours until 9:30 pm on Saturday.
- Pont-Audemer Town Hall: 02 32 41 08 15
- Pont-Audemer Val de Risle Tourist Office: 02 32 41 08 21
- Full programme: Available on the Pont-Audemer town website and the "Les Mascarets" app
Summer begins at Les Mascarets
The Festival des Mascarets is the big summer celebration in Pont-Audemer. Since its creation in 1997, this free and multidisciplinary event marks the opening of the summer season in the "Norman Venice," so nicknamed for its canals and branches of the Risle river that cross the town center. For two weeks, from late June to mid-July, the town vibrates to the rhythm of concerts, shows, and activities.
An eclectic musical program
Music is at the heart of the Festival des Mascarets. The program features concerts of all genres: rock, pop, French chanson, world music, jazz, electro, reggae, and traditional music. The open-air concerts, set up in the squares and on the banks of the Risle, create a unique atmosphere where music blends with the town's architectural charm. Renowned artists and emerging talents share the stage, ensuring musical diversity that appeals to all audiences.
Street arts and live performances
Street performances play a central role in the Mascarets program. Theater companies, circus artists, jugglers, acrobats, and performers take over the streets, squares, and bridges of Pont-Audemer for surprising and poetic shows. These artistic interventions transform the urban space into a living stage and create moments of connection between artists and the public.
Masc'Art, sports, and hot air balloon
Masc'Art, an art market set up in the town center, allows visitors to discover and purchase works by local and regional creators and artists: painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, jewelry, and art objects. Sports activities offer a variety of options for all ages: races, tournaments, and sports challenges. Hot air balloon rides offer breathtaking views of the town and the Risle valley, while the fireworks display concludes the festival in style.
A popular and unifying festival
The strength of Les Mascarets lies in its entirely free nature and its openness to everyone. This popular and unifying spirit makes it an event that brings together all generations and audiences, from families to night owls. Activities take place from morning to evening, with highlights in the evening for concerts and shows. The festival contributes to the influence of Pont-Audemer and the cultural vitality of the Risle valley.
Where does it take place — Les Mascarets
Les Mascarets in brief
Other festivals near Pont-Audemer
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