Mens Alors !
Festival of exchange and creation in Trièves
About Mens Alors !
Created in 2003, Mens Alors ! is a festival of music, words, and images nestled in the heart of Trièves, in Isère. Every year at the beginning of August, this event, driven by passionate volunteers, invites over 5,000 spectators to inhabit the world through music. Jazz, improvised music, dance, theater, storytelling, cinema, and circus take over the squares, gardens, and heritage sites of the village of Mens for a week of creations, encounters, and conviviality. Recognized as a public interest association, Mens Alors ! enjoys national and international renown.
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Mens Alors ! : a unique festival in the heart of Trièves
Since 2003, the Mens Alors ! festival has transformed the village of Mens, perched on the Trièves plateau in Isère, into a fantastic place for artistic creation and exchange every summer. Born from the will of a handful of enthusiasts, this festival has established itself over the years as a must-attend event for live music, blending jazz, improvised music, world music, and multidisciplinary stage forms.
A Human and Artistic Adventure
The story of Mens Alors ! is above all one of collective adventure. The eponymous association, governed by the 1901 law and recognized as being of general interest, relies on the commitment of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds who work throughout the year to bring this event to life. From welcoming artists to ticketing, from technical aspects to catering, each edition is the result of collaborative work rooted in the values of popular education, social cohesion, and environmental respect.
The artistic direction, managed by Thibault Cellier and Marc Chonier, champions a demanding and curious program, where established international artists rub shoulders with emerging talents. Over the years, the festival has hosted musicians such as Louis Sclavis, Dick Annegarn, Fred Pallem & Le Sacre du Tympan, Papanosh, and Rocé, alongside dozens of bold and inventive ensembles.
A Multidisciplinary Program
While jazz and improvised music are the DNA of Mens Alors !, the festival has cultivated an openness to all forms of performing arts since its inception:
- Concerts and musical evenings under the Hall, in the gardens, in the church, or outdoors at Les Sagnes
- Contemporary dance performances and choreographic pieces
- Musical theater and street performances
- Film screenings and cine-concerts
- Storytelling and shows for young audiences
- Participatory music and dance workshops, open to all
Each edition highlights a cultural or geographical theme. In 2025, it is the traditional music of Colombia that is celebrated through workshops led by Alejandra Charry and Thibault Cellier from the group ¡Ya Voy !
Enchanting Venues
The festival takes over a multitude of locations in Mens and the surrounding villages: the medieval Halle, the Temple, the Church, Les Sagnes (open-air stage), private gardens (Jardin Cheynel, Jardin Bronner, Jardin du Croco, Villa Mensac), cellars, the Château de Montmeilleur, and the Domaine des Hautes Glaces. This dispersion of shows throughout the village encourages the public to wander, discover local heritage, and experience intimate and surprising artistic moments in the heart of exceptional landscapes between Vercors and Dévoluy.
A Civic and Ecological Commitment
Mens Alors ! stands out for its territorial anchoring and its commitments to eco-responsibility and local development. The festival favors short supply chains, partnerships with producers and artisans of Trièves, and implements concrete actions to reduce its environmental footprint. As a true player in the cultural life of Isère, it contributes to the tourist and economic dynamism of this rural mountain territory.
Mens Alors ! — edition 2026
The 22nd edition of the Mens Alors ! festival will take place in early August 2026 in Mens en Trièves (Isère). The festival of music, words, and images will once again offer a week of concerts, dance performances, theater, screenings, storytelling, and participatory workshops in the village's emblematic venues, featuring jazz, improvised music, and multidisciplinary artistic forms.
22nd Edition - August 2026
The Mens Alors ! festival returns for its 22nd edition in early August 2026 in the village of Mens, in the heart of Trièves. True to its identity as a festival of music, words, and images, this new edition will offer a week of artistic discoveries in the village's emblematic venues: the Halle, the Temple, the Church, Les Sagnes, the gardens and cellars, as well as heritage sites in the surrounding area.
The program, curated by Thibault Cellier and Marc Chonier, will bring together, as every year, artists from jazz, improvised music, and world music, alongside performances of contemporary dance, theater, storytelling, film screenings, and participatory workshops open to all audiences.
Building on the success of the 21st edition and its focus on Colombian music, the festival will continue its mission of fostering dialogue between cultures and artistic disciplines in an exceptional natural and heritage setting. The full program will be announced in the spring of 2026 on the festival's official website.
The festival continues to be driven by its dedicated team of volunteers and invites spectators, hosts, and future volunteers to join the adventure for this new edition.
Programme Mens Alors ! 2026
2026 Program
The detailed program for the 22nd edition will be announced in the spring of 2026. As every year, the festival will offer:
- Jazz and improvised music concerts with national and international artists
- World music with a cultural and geographical focus to discover
- Contemporary dance performances and choreographic pieces
- Musical theater and street performances
- Screenings and cine-concerts
- Storytelling and shows for young audiences
- Participatory music and dance workshops
- Poetry aperitifs, dances, and festive moments
Check the website www.mensalors.fr for program announcements.
Highlights Mens Alors ! 2026
To Note for 2026
- 22nd Edition of the Mens Alors ! festival
- Dates: Early August 2026 in Mens en Trièves (Isère)
- Multidisciplinary program: jazz, world music, dance, theater, cinema, storytelling
- Participatory workshops open to all
- Performances in about ten locations throughout the village
- Full program announced in spring 2026
Prices Mens Alors ! 2026
Practical information — Mens Alors !
Practical Information - Mens Alors ! Festival
Festival Location
The festival takes place in the village of Mens and its surroundings, on the Trièves plateau, south of Isère. Performances are spread across various locations: the Halle, the Temple, the Church, the open-air stage at Les Sagnes, various private gardens, and heritage sites.
Access
By car: Mens is located about 50 km south of Grenoble. From Grenoble, take the RN75 towards Gap via Monestier-de-Clermont, then follow the D526 towards Mens. Allow about 1 hour of driving. From Gap, allow about 1 hour 15 minutes via the N85 and D1075.
By public transport: The nearest SNCF train station is Clelles-Mens (Grenoble-Gap line). TransIsère buses also connect Grenoble to Mens. Information available on the Cars Région Isère network website.
Ticketing and Prices
Tickets are available online via the HelloAsso platform and on-site at the Info Point located at the cultural center of Mens (hours: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM).
Individual Show Prices
- Supporter price: €15
- Full price: €10
- Reduced price: €8
- Free for children under 6
Evening Prices (2 concerts)
- Supporter price: €20
- Full price: €15
- Reduced price: €10
- Free for children under 6
Short formats and young audience
- Supporter price: €9
- Full price: €7
- Reduced price: €5
- Free for children under 6
Festival Pass (full week)
- Solidarity Pass: €125
- Full Pass: €110
- Reduced Pass: €95
Beneficiaries of the reduced price: children aged 6 to 20, students, job seekers, RSA or AAH recipients, association members.
Membership
Membership in the Mens Alors ! association costs €15 per person. It grants access to the reduced price and allows participation in workshops.
Accommodation
The village of Mens and the Trièves region offer various accommodation options: gîtes, bed and breakfasts, campsites, and seasonal rentals. The festival also offers a homestay program through its network of volunteer hosts. It is highly recommended to book in advance.
Catering
Food stalls are available at the festival venues, with a focus on local products and short supply chains. The village of Mens also has restaurants, cafes, and local shops, including the Café des Sports, the association's headquarters.
Contact
- Address: Mens Alors ! - Café des Sports, 49 rue du Breuil, 38710 Mens
- General Email: [email protected]
- Production Email: [email protected]
- Volunteer Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.mensalors.fr
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Mens Alors ! at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Mens Alors !
Village de Mens - Divers lieux
49 rue du Breuil, 38710 Mens