La Rue des Artistes
The popular, associative, and committed festival of Saint-Chamond
About La Rue des Artistes
Created in 1998 by the association Atout Monde, the La Rue des Artistes festival is a popular, associative, and committed event held every year on the third weekend of June at Parc Nelson Mandela in Saint-Chamond, in the Loire region. For three days, the festival brings together concerts, street performances, circus, street theater, visual arts, and family entertainment, in a spirit of conviviality and cultural accessibility for all. Born from the desire of a group of friends to offer open cultural programming and support young talent, the festival has become a must-attend event in the cultural landscape of the Loire and Rhône-Alpes regions, attracting around 12,000 spectators over three days. True to its values of social commitment and proximity, La Rue des Artistes champions access to culture for all, with an eclectic musical program mixing hip-hop, reggae, French chanson, world music, and electro, accompanied by street companies, circus, and visual arts.
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La Rue des Artistes: A Manufacture of Artistic Imaginations in Saint-Chamond
Since 1998, the La Rue des Artistes festival has transformed Parc Nelson Mandela in Saint-Chamond into a space for creation, meeting, and popular celebration each year. Driven by the association Atout Monde, this multidisciplinary festival blends live music, street theater, circus, visual arts, and entertainment for all ages.
A History Rooted in Commitment
The adventure began in 1996 when the association Atout Monde organized its first musical events in Saint-Chamond. The project stemmed from a shared observation by a group of friends: the city's cultural offerings were too institutionalized, geared towards an adult audience, and local young talents lacked support and visibility. In 1998, the first edition of the festival was born in the streets of the city center, featuring three street companies, visual artists, and musicians on a guinguette stage.
In 1999, the association became professional with the hiring of stage managers and technicians. In 2004, the festival moved from the city streets to Parc Nelson Mandela, offering a larger and greener setting. In 2011, paid ticketing was introduced on Fridays and Saturdays, with Sundays remaining at a reduced price and free access for children under 12.
A Multidisciplinary and Accessible Festival
Each year, La Rue des Artistes offers a rich and varied program. On the musical stage, genres cross paths: hip-hop, reggae, committed chanson, world music, electro, and rock. Over the years, the festival has hosted renowned artists such as Oxmo Puccino, HK, Julian Marley, Massilia Sound System, Les Fatals Picards, Soviet Suprem, Alborosie, and La Rue Ketanou.
Alongside the concerts, circus, street theater, and performing arts companies take over the park with performances, parades, and shows for the whole family. Visual arts, present since the festival's origins, complement this program with exhibitions and outdoor installations.
Strong Values
The festival is deeply rooted in values of social commitment, accessibility, and proximity. The association Atout Monde works year-round for access to culture for all, offering affordable prices, free admission for children under 12, and accessibility services for people with disabilities, in partnership with the Malakoff Humanis foundation.
The festival also embraces an eco-responsible approach initiated in 1998: waste sorting, local food sourcing since 2007, reusable cups since 2012, and promotion of sustainable transport since 2017.
Regional Reach
Located 15 minutes from Saint-Étienne and 35 minutes from Lyon, the festival attracts around 12,000 spectators each year from the entire Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. A temporary campsite, "Le Chat qui dort," is set up in the Fonsala district to accommodate festival-goers. With its 71 volunteers contributing over 3,600 hours of work, La Rue des Artistes is a true collective and civic project.
La Rue des Artistes — edition 2026
The 29th edition of the La Rue des Artistes festival will take place from June 19 to 21, 2026, at Parc Nelson Mandela in Saint-Chamond, coinciding with the Fête de la Musique. The program includes The Wailers, Soviet Suprem, Têtes Raides, La Caravane Passe, Tracy de Sà & The Defenders, and many other artists for three days of concerts, street performances, and entertainment.
29th Edition - June 19 to 21, 2026
The La Rue des Artistes festival returns for its 29th edition from June 19 to 21, 2026, at Parc Nelson Mandela in Saint-Chamond. This special edition coincides with the Fête de la Musique on Sunday, June 21, promising a festive and popular finale.
The 2026 musical lineup promises to be exceptional with headliners The Wailers, heirs to the legend Bob Marley, on Saturday evening, and Têtes Raides, an iconic French alternative band, closing the festival on Sunday. On Friday, Soviet Suprem will open the festivities with their quirky electro-funk, accompanied by Tracy de Sà & The Defenders.
As every year, the program will be complemented by street performances, circus companies, street theater, and entertainment for the whole family. The accessible ticketing model remains at the heart of the project, with prices designed to allow as many people as possible to enjoy the festival.
Programme La Rue des Artistes 2026
2026 Musical Lineup
Friday, June 19
- Soviet Suprem - Electro-funk
- Tracy de Sà & The Defenders
- Monika
- Gros Monsieur
Saturday, June 20
- The Wailers - Reggae
- La Caravane Passe - Balkan brass band
- Cactus & Mammuth
- Nnawa
Sunday, June 21 - Fête de la Musique
- Têtes Raides - Alternative Rock / Chanson
- Woco
- Salut l'Orage
- Les Mirabelles Kitchen
Street Performances and Entertainment
Circus companies, street performances, and family entertainment throughout the weekend. Full program of shows to be announced.
Highlights La Rue des Artistes 2026
To Note for the 2026 Edition
- Dates: Friday, June 19 to Sunday, June 21, 2026
- The Wailers, heirs to Bob Marley, headlining Saturday
- Têtes Raides closing on Sunday, the day of Fête de la Musique
- Soviet Suprem opening on Friday
- La Caravane Passe for a festive Balkan atmosphere
- 29th edition of the popular and committed festival of Saint-Chamond
- Accessible ticketing with tiered pricing system
Prices La Rue des Artistes 2026
Practical information — La Rue des Artistes
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By Car: Saint-Chamond is accessible from Saint-Étienne (15 min) via the D1498 or the A47. From Lyon (35 min), take the A47 towards Saint-Étienne, exit Saint-Chamond. Parc Nelson Mandela is located on Avenue Antoine Pinay.
By Train: Saint-Chamond station is served by TER Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes from Saint-Étienne (10 min) and Lyon (35 min). The park is within walking distance of the station.
Ticketing
Advance tickets are available at the Atout Monde office, Espace Pablo Neruda, Boulevard des Écharneaux in Saint-Chamond, daily from 2 PM to 7 PM, or online on the festival's official website. Free for children under 12.
Camping
A temporary campsite "Le Chat qui dort" is set up in the Fonsala district, near the park. Price: €5 per person, including showers and breakfast. Cashless system on the festival site.
Accessibility
The festival offers an reception service for people with disabilities in partnership with the Malakoff Humanis foundation: adapted signage, access ramps, hearing loops, sign language interpretation. An Easy to Read and Understand (FALC) guide is available. In 2024, 299 people benefited from these accessibility services.
Contact
Association Atout Monde - Espace Pablo Neruda, Boulevard des Écharneaux, 42400 Saint-Chamond. Tel: 04 77 22 18 18. Email: [email protected]
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach La Rue des Artistes at the best price.
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Where does it take place — La Rue des Artistes
Parc Nelson Mandela
Avenue Antoine Pinay, 42400 Saint-Chamond