Mauvais Tours
Festival of Imaginary Cinemas in Tours: horror, fantasy, and science fiction
2026
About Mauvais Tours
Mauvais Tours is the city's premier festival for imaginative cinema, celebrating the worlds of horror, fantasy, and science fiction. Rising from the ashes of the former Mauvais Genre festival, it returns every October with a bold lineup featuring premieres, cult classics, themed all-nighters, short film competitions, live-scored screenings, masterclasses, and immersive events. Hosted across the Cinémas Studio, Le Bateau Ivre, and the Conservatoire de Tours, Mauvais Tours brings a thrilling and delightfully chilling atmosphere to the city.
Mauvais Tours — edition 2026
The 3rd edition of the Mauvais Tours festival takes place from October 15th to 18th, 2026, in Tours. This festival dedicated to imaginative cinema returns to the Cinémas Studio, Le Bateau Ivre, and the Conservatoire de Tours for four days of thrills, featuring previews, a short film competition, and themed nights like the Nuit Maléfique in partnership with Shadowz.
Mauvais Tours 2026 — 3rd Edition
The 3rd edition of Mauvais Tours will be held from October 15th to 18th, 2026, in Tours at the Cinémas Studio, Le Bateau Ivre, and the Conservatoire de Tours (Joséphine Baker hall). Tickets are available via HelloAsso, with options for a 4-day festival pass or a 2-day weekend pass (October 17th-18th). The film selection and full program details will be announced on the official festival website closer to the event.
Programme Mauvais Tours 2026
The program (films, schedule, and venues) for the 2026 edition has not yet been released by the organizers; it will be added as soon as it becomes available. The dates (October 15th-18th, 2026) and ticketing are confirmed: 4-day festival passes and 2-day weekend passes (October 17th-18th) are available on HelloAsso.
Prices Mauvais Tours 2026
Weekend Pass (2 days, October 17th-18th): full price 65 € · reduced price 45 €.
Reduced price: students, under 26s, social welfare recipients, and job seekers (proof required).
Access to all screenings except the Nuit Maléfique.
Practical information — Mauvais Tours
Practical Information
Access
Screenings and events take place at the Cinémas Studio (2 rue des Ursulines, 37000 Tours), Le Bateau Ivre, and the Conservatoire de Tours (Joséphine Baker hall, 17 rue des Ursulines).
- By tram: "Jean Jaurès" or "Place de la Liberté" stops.
- By train: Tours station, approximately a 15-minute walk from the Cinémas Studio.
Schedule
The festival runs for 4 days in October. Detailed schedules are available on the official website.
Tickets
Tickets are available via HelloAsso: festival passes (4 days) and weekend passes are available. Please check the specific edition page for pricing details.
Contact
Association Mauvais Tours
Website: mauvaistours.com
The return of genre cinema to Tours
Mauvais Tours is a genre film festival born from a desire to revive the spirit of Mauvais Genre, a beloved local festival dedicated to fantastic cinema. Driven by a passionate team, Mauvais Tours aims to breathe new life into the city's dark rooms with a program that blends premieres, cult classics, themed nights, and hidden gems of genre cinema.
A program of thrills and wonder
The festival takes place over four days every October, offering a rich and varied selection:
- Feature film premieres: Discovering new releases in horror, fantasy, and science fiction
- Short film competition: A curated selection of shorts exploring the boundaries of imagination
- Themed nights: Marathon screenings centered on specific themes, such as the "Nuit Maléfique" in partnership with Shadowz
- Masterclasses: Encounters with directors and industry professionals
- Ciné-concerts: Film screenings accompanied by live music
- Workshops and exhibitions: Practical special effects, makeup, and horror writing
The festival team has created an original "scare-o-meter" rating system, similar to a chili heat scale, helping viewers choose their screenings based on their tolerance for thrills.
Three iconic venues in Tours
Mauvais Tours takes over several key locations across the city for its screenings and events:
- Les Cinémas Studio: The historic art-house cinema of Tours, located at 2 rue des Ursulines
- Le Bateau Ivre: A cooperative bookstore and vibrant cultural hub
- Le Conservatoire de Tours: The Joséphine Baker hall hosts a portion of the festival's screenings and events
A festival fueled by passion
Behind Mauvais Tours is a team of volunteers and professionals united by their love for genre cinema, with artistic direction by Nicolas Martin and Simon Riaux. The festival is supported by partners including the Shadowz platform, the City of Tours, the Centre-Val de Loire Region, and the Centre National du Cinéma. The atmosphere is both terrifying and welcoming, attracting genre aficionados and curious newcomers alike.
Where does it take place — Mauvais Tours
Mauvais Tours in brief
History of Mauvais Tours
Edition 2025 Oct 2025Other festivals near Tours
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