La Rue des Artistes
The popular, associative, and committed festival of Saint-Chamond
About La Rue des Artistes
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 takes place from June 19 to 21, 2026, at Parc Nelson Mandela in Saint-Chamond, concluding on Sunday in the heart of the Fête de la Musique. The program includes: The Wailers (Saturday), Têtes Raides (Sunday), Soviet Suprem (Friday), La Caravane Passe, Tracy de Sà & The Defenders and many others, plus numerous circus and street theater companies. Free entry on Sunday.
29th Edition — From 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 edition coincides with the Fête de la Musique on Sunday, June 21, a day traditionally kept free of charge by the organizers, for a festive and popular grand finale.
Headliners
The 2026 music program features The Wailers on Saturday evening, as part of their « 50 Years of Positive Vibrations » tour celebrating 50 years of the Rastaman Vibration album. Têtes Raides, a major figure in the French alternative scene, will close the edition on Sunday. Soviet Suprem and Tracy de Sà & The Defenders will open on Friday.
Multidisciplinary and Family-Friendly
As every year, the music program is complemented by circus companies, street theater, and family activities. The festival maintains its accessible ticketing model with tiered pricing (« Impatient Feline », « Prudent Feline », « Wild Feline ») and free entry on Sunday.
Programme La Rue des Artistes 2026
Friday, June 19, 2026
- Soviet Suprem — Offbeat electro-funk, fusion of Eastern European music and hip-hop
- Tracy de Sà & The Defenders — Committed rap and soul
- Monika
- Gros Monsieur
Saturday, June 20, 2026
- The Wailers — Reggae, « 50 Years of Positive Vibrations » tour, celebrating 50 years of Bob Marley's Rastaman Vibration album
- La Caravane Passe — Festive Balkan brass band
- Cactus & Mammuth
- Nnawa
Sunday, June 21, 2026 — Fête de la Musique (free entry)
- Têtes Raides — Alternative rock and committed French chanson, closing the festival
- Woco
- Salut l'Orage
- Les Mirabelles Kitchen
Street arts and live performances
Companies invited on June 19 and 20: Cie Locar, Cie Yohan Durand, Cie Tout CouR, Cie Lueur d'étoiles, Cie Les Espaces Cyclophones. Performances, street parades, circus and street theater throughout the weekend. Family activities and visual arts across the entire Parc Nelson Mandela site.
Highlights La Rue des Artistes 2026
- Dates: from Friday, June 19 to Sunday, June 21, 2026
- The Wailers headlining on Saturday (« 50 Years of Positive Vibrations » tour)
- Têtes Raides closing on Sunday, Fête de la Musique day
- Soviet Suprem opening on Friday
- La Caravane Passe for a festive Balkan atmosphere
- Sunday, June 21, entirely free (open access, within site capacity limits)
- 29th edition of Saint-Chamond's popular and committed festival
- Online ticketing via Weezevent; Pass Culture and Pass Région Jeunes accepted
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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Where does it take place — La Rue des Artistes
Parc Nelson Mandela
Avenue Antoine Pinay, 42400 Saint-Chamond