Mulsanne National Accordion Festival

The oldest accordion festival in France

In 1984, Daniel Pichon, nicknamed Pollux, and his friends needed funds to buy a radio transmitter. They organized an accordion gala in Mulsanne, a small town south of Le Mans. The success was such that the event became an annual event. More than forty years later, the Mulsanne National Accordion Festival has become the oldest accordion festival in France, a must-attend event for lovers of musette and traditional dance.

A day of popular music and dance

Every first Sunday of March, the Mulsanne village hall transforms into an accordion temple. From 12:30 PM to 7:30 PM, six professional musicians take turns on stage, each with a fifty-minute set. The repertoire includes French variety, slows, waltzes, tangos, and musette in all its splendor. The loyal and passionate audience comes from all over Sarthe and neighboring departments to dance and share a moment of conviviality.

An event that is regularly sold out

The festival regularly sells out with nearly 480 to 500 dancers in the hall, and a hundred people sometimes have to be turned away due to lack of space. This capacity reflects the audience's deep attachment to this unique event that spans generations. Preparations involve about thirty volunteers for eight months to offer a successful day of celebration.

Pollux, a life dedicated to the accordion

Daniel Pichon, known as Pollux, has led the festival since 1988 and is its emblematic figure. King of the accordion in Sarthe, he has dedicated his life to promoting this popular instrument. In 1990, he created an association dedicated to promoting the accordion throughout France, making Mulsanne a major center for musette culture.