Le Mans Pop Festival
The springboard for French-language song in Le Mans
2026
About LMPF
LMPF — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Le Mans Pop Festival is shaking things up with a new format: eight 'Mardis de la Chanson' evenings running from July 7 to August 25 at the Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches. Each night pairs a contestant from the Pop Chanson Francophone Competition with a renowned artist (including Frédéric Fromet, Phanee de Pool, and Camille Laïly). The four winners from these heats will then face off in the grand final on Sunday, September 20, at MLC les Saulnières.
2026 Edition — A Summer of French Chanson
For 2026, the Le Mans Pop Festival is moving away from its traditional November weekend format in favor of eight open-air events: the 'Mardis de la Chanson'. Join us every Tuesday from July 7 to August 25 at 8:30 PM at the Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches (relocated to MLC les Saulnières if it rains). Each evening features two parts: first, an artist selected through the Pop Chanson Francophone Competition, followed by a featured guest artist.
The eight competition candidates will perform throughout the summer, and the four finalists will compete in the grand finale on Sunday, September 20, at 2:30 PM at MLC les Saulnières. A professional jury and audience vote will determine the winners, with prizes ranging from €3,000 (1st prize, including a concert during the 2027-2028 cultural season) to €500 (audience prize).
Summer evenings are free to attend; for the September final, reservations are recommended and entry is by voluntary contribution.
Highlights LMPF 2026
- New format: eight 'Mardis de la Chanson' evenings from July 7 to August 25, with free entry at the Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches
- Confirmed headliners: Courcheval, Olga la Rouge, Hector ou Rien, Malaka, Phanee de Pool, Frédéric Fromet, Lemofil, Camille Laïly
- Pop Chanson Francophone Competition Final on Sunday, September 20 at 2:30 PM, at MLC les Saulnières
- Four finalists selected from the eight summer heats, with prizes ranging from €500 to €3,000
Programme LMPF 2026
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
- 8:30 PM — Bonneville · Pop Chanson Francophone Competition (Part 1) · Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches
- 8:30 PM — Courcheval · Featured Artist (Part 2) · Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
- 8:30 PM — Camille Anssel · Pop Chanson Francophone Competition (Part 1) · Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches
- 8:30 PM — Olga la Rouge · Featured Artist (Part 2) · Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
- 8:30 PM — Juliette Magnevasoa · Pop Chanson Francophone Competition (Part 1) · Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches
- 8:30 PM — Hector ou Rien · Featured Artist (Part 2) · Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
- 8:30 PM — Julien m'a dit · Pop Chanson Francophone Competition (Part 1) · Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches
- 8:30 PM — Malaka · Featured Artist (Part 2) · Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
- 8:30 PM — Dam Valet · Pop Chanson Francophone Competition (Part 1) · Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches
- 8:30 PM — Phanee de Pool · Featured Artist (Part 2) · Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
- 8:30 PM — Bodie · Pop Chanson Francophone Competition (Part 1) · Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches
- 8:30 PM — Frédéric Fromet · Featured Artist (Part 2) · Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
- 8:30 PM — Marc Parodi · Pop Chanson Francophone Competition (Part 1) · Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches
- 8:30 PM — Lemofil · Featured Artist (Part 2) · Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
- 8:30 PM — Besac-Arthur · Pop Chanson Francophone Competition (Part 1) · Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches
- 8:30 PM — Camille Laïly · Featured Artist (Part 2) · Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches
Sunday, September 20, 2026
- 2:30 PM — Pop Chanson Francophone Competition Final, featuring the 4 winners from the summer heats (names to be announced after the eight evenings) · MLC les Saulnières
The eight 'Mardis de la Chanson' evenings are free to attend at the Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches (moved to MLC les Saulnières in case of rain); the final on September 20 at MLC les Saulnières is by recommended reservation, with a 'pay-what-you-want' entry.
Prices LMPF 2026
Practical information — LMPF
Getting there
The Mardis de la Chanson (July-August) are held outdoors at the Plaine de l'Ile aux Planches in Le Mans. In case of rain, the event moves to the MLC les Saulnières, located at 239 avenue Rhin et Danube, 72000 Le Mans. The final on September 20th will take place directly at the MLC les Saulnières.
By car: free parking is available on-site at the MLC les Saulnières. By tram: take line T1 to the Saulnières stop. By bus: several SETRAM network lines serve the area.
Admission
Free entry for the eight summer evenings. For the final on September 20th, entry is by donation with reservations recommended via HelloAsso.
Schedule
Mardis de la Chanson: evenings starting at 8:30 PM, from July 7th to August 25th. Competition final: Sunday, September 20th, starting at 2:30 PM.
Contact
Email: [email protected] — Phone: 02 43 87 67 34
Le Mans Pop Festival: Thirty Years of Musical Discoveries
Created in 1993 by the association Le Mans Cité Chanson, the Le Mans Pop Festival has established itself as one of the most prestigious springboards for French-language song in France. Every year in November, the MLC les Saulnières hall in Le Mans vibrates to the rhythm of voices and melodies carried by young artists defending their original compositions.
A Springboard That Has Launched Big Names
The festival doesn't just program concerts: it truly supports artists in their careers. Many participants in the competitions have made history in French song. Jeanne Cherhal, Sanseverino, and many others have graced the Le Mans stage before conquering the general public. This tradition of discovery is the pride of LMPF, which has hosted over 900 concerts and supported more than 1,500 young artists since its creation.
A Popular and Accessible Festival
With a cumulative audience of 346,000 spectators over the years, the Le Mans Pop Festival has built a loyal following of passionate and curious fans. The festival format combines competition evenings with emerging local and national artists on Saturday evenings, and a grand finale on Sunday afternoon featuring the winners of the French-language song competition. Admission is by donation (prix libre), making the event accessible to the widest possible audience.
Strong Roots in the Sarthe Cultural Landscape
Supported by the City of Le Mans and driven by a team of passionate volunteers, the festival is committed to promoting contemporary French-language creation. Pop, folk, electro, lyrical chanson: all styles are represented as long as the French language is at the heart of the writing. LMPF also participates in the national network of song competitions, offering winners opportunities for exposure at other partner festivals across France.
Where does it take place — LMPF
LMPF in brief
History of LMPF
Edition 2025 Nov 2025Other festivals near Le Mans
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Published by Valentin Contard, festival listings writer. Reviewed, corrected and approved by Christophe Contard, editor-in-chief. .
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