La Rurale
Street arts festival in the streets of Mens, in the heart of Trièves
About La Rurale
La Rurale: Street Arts in the Heart of Trièves
La Rurale is a street arts festival that takes place in the streets of Mens, a small emblematic town in Trièves, south of the Isère department, between Vercors and Dévoluy. This festival was created in 2020 on the initiative of Stéphanie Bailly and Mathieu Cohin, actors from the Compagnie l'Accord des On, who are based in Trièves and driven by the desire to create a cultural event accessible to all in this rural mountain territory.
A Festive Weekend in the Streets of Mens
For a weekend, the streets, squares, and alleys of Mens are transformed into an open-air stage. La Rurale's program combines carnival, street performances, concerts, artistic walks, a pétanque tournament, and an open stage. Each edition invites several companies and artists to take over public spaces to offer a variety of artistic forms: street theater, dance, circus, music, and performances.
A Social Connection Project
Beyond its artistic dimension, La Rurale is a social connection project rooted in the Trièves territory. The festival was designed to reach the entire population: new rural residents, long-time inhabitants, children, teenagers, the elderly, people with reduced mobility, and tourists. This desire for inclusion makes La Rurale a unifying event, where culture serves as a vector for meeting and cohesion in a sometimes isolated rural area.
From Company to Association
The first two editions were supported by the Compagnie l'Accord des On. From the third edition onwards, a dedicated association, La Rurale, was created to take over the organization. This structuring reflects the festival's integration into the local cultural landscape and the founders' desire to perpetuate the event beyond the initial artistic initiative.
A Festival Under Construction
The festival experiences the ups and downs typical of associative events in rural areas. The 2024 edition did not take place due to a lack of sufficient volunteers, and the 2025 edition has been postponed to 2026. This fragility reminds us that festivals in rural areas depend heavily on volunteer commitment and support from local authorities. The organizing team hopes to find the necessary strength to offer a new edition in 2026.
La Rurale — edition 2026
La Rurale - 2026 Edition
After a break in 2024 and 2025, the La Rurale team is organizing a new edition of the festival in 2026 in the streets of Mens. The Trièves street arts festival is looking for volunteers to contribute to this new festive event combining shows, concerts, and conviviality.
This year, in addition to shows, concerts, and entertainment, La Rurale offers a Soapbox Race on Sunday!
Come one, come all!
Programme La Rurale 2026
Friday evening at Pré-Colombon - adults' evening - shows7 PM: Piano Barbare8:45 PM: Requiem pour un Smartphone
Saturday morning in the Mixages garden
11 AM: Le Bateau d'Orange - young audience from 10 months - 30 min followed by a workshop
Saturday afternoon for all audiences - workshop and shows- at the Campsite:
2:30 PM: Antigone(s) - Presentation by the teen troupe of Cie L'Accord des On3:45 PM: dance workshop - pre-registration with Solène Dubreuil: 06 14 45 25 39- at the Tennis Court5 PM: Roulis - circus
Saturday evening for All Audiences at Pré-Colombon - shows and concert6:30 PM: Les Vacances de Pina Loches - clown8:15 PM: Bonhomme10 PM: Petit Tonnerre - Concert
Sunday - Communal Garages (Croix de Charvet ascent) - Great Carriolou Special Day!! - children's area Schedules may still be modified 10 AM: Soapbox Race start11:30 AM: SAASIL Choir12 PM: Meal - Grilled Veal1 PM: prize ceremony2 PM - 4 PM: free descents4 PM: OIT (Orchestre Itinérant du Trièves) Concert5 PM: Elegua - Salsa Concert
And of course, refreshments and food from Friday to Sunday!Come many!
Highlights La Rurale 2026
Great Carriolou Race on Sunday!!
Prices La Rurale 2026
Practical information — La Rurale
Location
The festival takes place in the streets of Mens (38710), in Trièves. Performances, concerts, and activities take over the streets, squares, and public spaces of the village.
Access
By Car
Mens is located about 50 minutes from Grenoble via the RD 1075 then the RD 526 towards Trièves. Parking is available in the village.
By Public Transport
Mens is served by TransIsère buses from Grenoble (line to Trièves). Check schedules.
Dates
The festival generally takes place at the end of June or beginning of July, over a weekend. The precise dates are announced on the association's social media.
Prices
Access to street performances and activities is free. Some activities may be paid.
Food
Food is available on-site during the festival. The village of Mens also has shops and restaurants.
Contact
Association La Rurale
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07 66 05 99 78 (Stéphanie)
Facebook: La Rurale
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Where does it take place — La Rurale
Rues de Mens