Toumélé Festival

Toumélé Festival: the festival spirit in the village

The Toumélé Festival was born in 2001 in Maule, a charming town in the Yvelines nestled in the Mauldre valley, from the desire of a group of friends to create a human-sized cultural event, rooted in the values of conviviality and sharing. Among the founders, several members of the group Les Blérots de R.A.V.E.L., an emblematic band of the French alternative scene, infused the festival with their creative energy and their taste for mixing genres.

Music, circus, theater, and cinema

Toumélé's programming is distinguished by its joyful eclecticism. Alongside concerts — rock, electro, French chanson, world music — the festival gives pride of place to street arts: circus performances, offbeat theater, performances by street companies that take over Maule's public spaces. Short film screenings and workshops for children complete the program, making Toumélé a truly multigenerational festival. Over the years, the festival has hosted artists such as Sanseverino, La Rue Ketanou, Jim Murple Memorial, and Les Doigts de l'Homme.

A Humanist Philosophy

The Toumélé association defines itself as a collective of "utopian philanthropists" who refuse to place economic factors above human ones. This philosophy is reflected in the festival through accessible prices, a relaxed atmosphere, and a commitment to emerging cultures. For over twenty years, Toumélé has lived "joyfully, without restraint," true to the libertarian and generous spirit of its founders.

Maule, Toumélé's setting

Maule, a small town of about 6,000 inhabitants located in the Mauldre valley, about forty kilometers west of Paris, offers the festival an authentic village setting. The shows take place outdoors and in the public spaces of the town, transforming Maule for a September weekend into a festival village where music and arts joyfully invade the streets.