Les Fondus du Macadam

Nearly thirty years of open-air artistic adventures

Since its creation in 1996, Les Fondus du Macadam has opened surprising artistic paths in the heart of Thonon-les-Bains every summer. Supported by the association Thonon Événements, the festival was born from the desire to bring performing arts into the streets, closer to the inhabitants, and to transform the urban space into a territory for creation and encounters.

Over nearly three decades, the event has become a must-see event for street arts in the Rhône-Alpes region, attracting tens of thousands of spectators to discover bold artistic forms in an exceptional natural setting between Lake Geneva and the Chablais mountains.

Over 150 performances in four days

The festival offers a remarkably dense program: over 150 performances in four days, covering a wide spectrum of performing arts. Street theater, contemporary circus, dance, music, puppetry, and shows for young audiences follow one another in the streets, squares, and parks of the town.

The program brings together internationally renowned companies and emerging young artists, offering spectators the opportunity to discover both monumental creations and intimate, experimental forms. This diversity is one of the festival's strengths, appealing to all audiences and all generations.

The city as a stage

One of the unique features of Les Fondus du Macadam is its investment in the entire city: shows unfold in the pedestrian streets, on the public squares, in the parks, and even in unexpected places in the city center of Thonon-les-Bains. This appropriation of urban space creates a unique atmosphere where the line between artists and spectators blurs, and where wandering becomes an integral part of the festival experience.

The geographical setting of Thonon-les-Bains, between the shores of Lake Geneva and the first foothills of the Alps, gives the festival a natural backdrop that enhances the artistic offerings and contributes to the event's unique atmosphere.

A cultural and social project rooted in the territory

Beyond its artistic dimension, Les Fondus du Macadam carries a true cultural and social project. The festival mobilizes numerous volunteers and relies on a network of local partners. Free shows are presented alongside paid performances, ensuring accessibility for the greatest number. The event significantly contributes to the summer animation and cultural influence of Thonon-les-Bains and the Chablais region.