Plein Champ
The urban arts festival that colors Le Mans all year round
About Plein Champ
Plein Champ: Le Mans, the street art capital of Pays de la Loire
In 2019, a new kind of festival was born in the prefecture of Sarthe. Plein Champ has established itself in just a few editions as the major urban arts event in Western France, attracting over 51,000 visitors during its last edition and dotting the city with over sixty monumental murals.
A weekend of live creation at Parc du Gué-de-Maulny
Every first weekend of July, the Parc du Gué-de-Maulny transforms into a giant open-air studio. Nearly 90 artists—graffiti artists, muralists, calligraphers, sculptors, performers—take over the park's walls, hoardings, and ephemeral installations to create before the public's eyes. From Friday afternoon to Sunday evening, the festival is in full swing with live performances, DJ sets, concerts (electro, rap, urban music), and participatory workshops open to all.
The phosphorescent nights of Plein Champ
One of the festival's signatures is its nocturnal performances. When night falls on the park, the artworks take on a new dimension thanks to light shows and projections. Artist Philippe Echaroux regularly presents spectacular light installations that blur the line between urban art and digital art, creating unforgettable moments of visual magic.
A permanent artistic trail in the city
Beyond the summer festival, Plein Champ transforms Le Mans throughout the year with its mural trail. Each edition leaves lasting marks on the city's walls, forming a true open-air museum. The M.U.R Plein Champ, located in the courtyard of the Musée de Tessé, regularly renews its artwork, offering the people of Le Mans and visitors a permanent connection with urban art. The festival makes a point of respecting gender parity in its artist selection and promoting local talent.
Plein Champ — edition 2026
The 8th edition of the Plein Champ festival takes place from July 3 to 5, 2026 at Parc du Gué-de-Maulny, Le Mans. Artist Vinie is the guest of honor for this edition, with her vibrant and colorful universe centered on femininity and identity. Nearly 90 national and international artists take over the park for three days of live street art, DJ sets, concerts (electro, urban music, rap), nocturnal performances, and participatory workshops. Entry is completely free.
Plein Champ 2026 — 8th edition
The Plein Champ festival returns for its 8th edition from July 3 to 5, 2026 at Parc du Gué-de-Maulny in Le Mans. Three days of live creation by nearly 90 national and international artists, punctuated by DJ sets and concerts, spectacular nocturnal performances, food trucks, a bar, and participatory workshops open to all. Entry remains completely free.
Vinie, guest of honor 2026
The 2026 edition honors French street artist Vinie, recognized for her vibrant and colorful universe centered on femininity and identity, who always integrates the architectural context into her practice. She will create a monumental fresco during the weekend and accompany several highlights of the festival.
Live street art at Parc du Gué-de-Maulny
Alongside Vinie, established artists like Artez, Elisa Capdevila, and Matthieu Pommier will paint live on the walls, fences, and ephemeral installations of the park. The festival's emblematic cube will host four new creations by international artists. Among the 2026 novelties, festival-goers are invited to participate in the artistic creation of two wooden structures.
Concerts, DJ sets, and nocturnal performances
The 2026 musical program notably brings together Yuksek, Barbara Butch, Yvnnis, Juste Shani (signed concert), and MAO Cormontreuil, spanning electro, urban music, and rap. The festival also hosts stand-up by Alexis Le Rossignol (« Le sens de la vie ») and the famous luminous nocturnal performances by Philippe Echaroux, which interact with the park's frescoes once night falls.
A free and family-friendly festival
Entry to the festival is free throughout the weekend. On-site: food trucks, bar, free participatory workshops, and convivial spaces. Friday from 4 PM to 1 AM, Saturday from 11:30 AM to 1 AM, Sunday from 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM.
Programme Plein Champ 2026
Friday, July 3, 2026
Festival opens at 4 PM at Parc du Gué-de-Maulny. Live creations by street artists begin, participatory workshops, food trucks, and bar open. Evening DJ sets and luminous nocturnal performances by Philippe Echaroux until 1 AM.
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Festival open from 11:30 AM to 1 AM. Creation of frescoes by guest of honor Vinie and all ~90 artists (including Artez, Elisa Capdevila, Matthieu Pommier). Participatory workshops, performances in the emblematic cube, collaborative wooden structures. Musical program: Yuksek, Barbara Butch, Yvnnis, MAO Cormontreuil (electro, urban music, rap). Luminous nocturnal performances until 1 AM.
Sunday, July 5, 2026
Festival open from 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM. Finalization of live frescoes, signed concert by Juste Shani, stand-up by Alexis Le Rossignol (« Le sens de la vie »), closing DJ sets. Guided tours of the street art route offered by the Tourist Office.
The detailed day-by-day program with precise timings will be published by the organization closer to the festival. More info on pleinchamplemans.fr.
Highlights Plein Champ 2026
- Vinie, guest of honor 2026
- ~90 national and international street artists creating live
- Concerts & DJ sets: Yuksek, Barbara Butch, Yvnnis, Juste Shani (signed concert), MAO Cormontreuil
- Stand-up by Alexis Le Rossignol
- Luminous nocturnal performances by Philippe Echaroux
- Emblematic cube: 4 new international creations
- Two collaborative wooden structures (new for 2026)
- Completely free entry
Prices Plein Champ 2026
Practical information — Plein Champ
Access
By car: Parc du Gué-de-Maulny is located south of Le Mans, accessible from the southern ring road. Free parking near the park.
By tram: Line T1, stop "Gué-de-Maulny".
By train: Le Mans station (TGV from Paris in 55 min), then tram.
Prices
Festival is entirely free.
Hours
Friday: 4 PM-1 AM — Saturday: 11:30 AM-1 AM — Sunday: 11:30 AM-10:30 PM.
On site
Food trucks, bar, free participatory workshops.
Contact
Plein Champ Le Mans
Website: pleinchamplemans.fr
Instagram: @pleinchamplemans
Facebook: pleinchamplemans
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Where does it take place — Plein Champ
Parc du Gué-de-Maulny
Parc du Gué-de-Maulny, 72000 Le Mans