La Chalibaude

La Chalibaude: The Street Arts Festival in Mayenne

Since 1989, La Chalibaude has been bringing the streets and squares of Château-Gontier-sur-Mayenne to life every last weekend of June. This street arts festival, supported by the City of Château-Gontier-sur-Mayenne, has become over the decades a must-see cultural event in the south of Mayenne and the entire Loire region.

A History Rooted in Tradition

The name “Chalibaude” originates from the Saint-Jean bonfires lit after the French Revolution, named “Chari baude”. In 1988, a “year zero” took place with the event Le Marathon Molière, organized by the Théâtre des Deux Rives. The following year, in 1989, the bicentennial of the Revolution, La Chalibaude was officially born. Originally, the town commissioned local companies, accustomed to performing indoors, to create 15-minute outdoor performances, parading through the streets of the city playing short scenes.

A Rich and Eclectic Program

Each edition hosts about fifteen professional companies from all over France, as well as local cultural associations. Together, they offer more than fifty free performances in the streets and squares of the town center. The program covers a wide variety of disciplines:

• Street Theater: sketches, parades, burlesque shows, and participatory performances
• Circus: acrobatics, juggling, tightrope walking, and aerial acts
• Dance: contemporary, hip-hop, and outdoor choreographic creations
• Music: fanfares, brass bands, acoustic concerts, and batucadas
• Humor and Fire Shows: clowns, magic, improvisation, and nighttime pyrotechnics

A Popular, Free, and Family-Friendly Festival

The spirit of La Chalibaude is based on strong values: total freeness, accessibility for all audiences, and conviviality. The festival is designed for families, children, groups of friends, and curious passers-by. Every street corner becomes a stage, allowing for an immersive experience in the heart of artistic creation. Spectators wander freely from one show to another, according to their desires and the surprises the artists have in store.

Volunteering, the Pillar of the Festival

La Chalibaude relies on a network of committed volunteers who participate in welcoming artists, logistics, hosting companies, and animating the festival. Each year, the City calls for volunteers and hosts to prepare the next edition, making La Chalibaude a true collective project supported by the local residents.

Regional Influence

Over the decades, La Chalibaude has established itself as a flagship event in the south of Mayenne, attracting thousands of spectators each year. The festival contributes to the cultural and tourist development of Château-Gontier-sur-Mayenne, a town of character known for its architectural heritage and its banks of the Mayenne. It actively participates in the animation of the town center and the dynamism of local cultural life.