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.