Les 3 Éléphants

Les 3 Éléphants: A Musical Utopia in the Heart of Laval

Conceived in 1998 in Lassay-les-Châteaux by a handful of contemporary music enthusiasts in Mayenne, the Les 3 Éléphants festival was born from a simple desire: to make artistic creation resonate in a rural area. Initially modest, the event grew year after year, driven by the energy of the Poc Pok association, founded in 2003 to unite contemporary music stakeholders in the department.

From Village to City: Settling in Laval

In 2010, the festival left Lassay-les-Châteaux to take over the city center of Laval. This move marked a decisive turning point: Les 3 Éléphants gained new momentum, transforming the city's squares, courtyards, gardens, and venues into ephemeral stages each May. Place de Hercé became the beating heart of the festival for over a decade, hosting the main outdoor stages.

Contemporary Music and Street Arts

The festival offers an eclectic program mixing independent rock, pop, electro, hip-hop, rap, and world music. Alongside concerts, street arts hold a central place, with entirely free performances, parades, and artistic installations. More than 65% of the offerings are accessible without a ticket, making the festival an event open to all.

A Festival Rooted in the Social and Solidarity Economy

Since its creation, Les 3 Éléphants has championed a model of disinterested management and non-profit operation, in line with the values of the Social and Solidarity Economy. The Poc Pok association also spearheads the 6PAR4 project, a recognized contemporary music venue in Laval, and the children's festival Monte Dans L'Bus. This network of activities contributes to the cultural vitality of the region throughout the year.

About Twenty Venues Involved

Each edition mobilizes about twenty locations in the city center: Place de Hercé, Square de Boston, Place du 11-Novembre, Esplanade du Château-Neuf, Cour du Vieux-Château, Cour du Lycée Ambroise Paré, Jardin de la Perrine, and 6PAR4 itself, which hosts intimate "Club 6PAR4" evenings. The Théâtre de Laval also hosts exceptional ticketed concerts.

A Unifying Event in Mayenne

With nearly 38,000 festival-goers each year and over 70 artistic offerings, Les 3 Éléphants has established itself as the largest cultural event in Mayenne. The festival makes it a point of honor to program the artists of tomorrow, prioritizing discovery and emergence over major headliners, in a friendly and human-scale atmosphere.