Festival du Rire de l'Yssingelais

More than thirty years of laughter in the Yssingeaux region

Created in 1992 by a handful of humor enthusiasts gathered within the association Déclaration d'Humour, the Festival du Rire de l'Yssingelais was born from the desire to bring the best of French comedy to a rural area of Haute-Loire. What was initially just a modest comedy evening has become, over the editions, a true ten-day festival, hosting the most talented comedians on the French scene every autumn.

A springboard for artists, a discovery for the public

The festival's philosophy is based on a dual bet: to offer the public the opportunity to discover an artistic discipline often reserved for big cities, and to allow artists to meet a new audience. The team of volunteers, led by its president and co-founder Thierry Bonnefoy, travels through Parisian and Lyon comedy clubs throughout the year to spot humor gems. Many artists programmed at the festival before their national breakthrough have since become headliners: Patrick Timsit, Baptiste Lecaplain, La Bajon, Bérengère Krief, Élodie Poux, Laurent Baffie, Ben, Arnaud Tsamère, Sellig, and Karim Duval have all graced the stage of the Foyer Rural d'Yssingeaux.

The Foyer Rural, a temple of laughter

All main shows take place at the Foyer Rural d'Yssingeaux, a multi-purpose hall located at 6 rue Jean de Bourbon, in the heart of the town. This human-sized venue, with a capacity of about 400 seats, offers rare proximity between artists and the public, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere that is the festival's reputation. Shows start at 8:30 PM and last about 1 hour 30 minutes.

A festival that shines beyond Yssingeaux

For several years, the Festival du Rire has extended its program to other towns in the Yssingelais and Sucs region. Evenings are organized in Le Mazet-Saint-Voy (Salle Calibert), Sainte-Sigolène, and more recently in Dunières (cinema). These off-site evenings, often dedicated to young talents or more intimate formats, reach an even wider audience and culturally enrich the entire territory.

Remarkable volunteer commitment

The festival runs thanks to the commitment of a team of passionate volunteers who dedicate several months of the year to preparing the event. With a budget of approximately 80,000 euros, nearly half of which is allocated to artist fees, the association Déclaration d'Humour manages to maintain affordable prices while programming renowned artists. The festival plans to evolve its statutes to obtain recognition of public utility, thereby facilitating patronage and donations.