Rave parties on the rise in France as tougher law proposed

Illegal rave parties across France have grown in frequency and size in recent months, as parliament debates a proposed law to increase penalties for organisers and participants. 

One of the largest recent events took place in Cornusse (Cher), where between 20,000 and 40,000 people gathered on a military firing range on May 2. The site was considered particularly dangerous due to the possible presence of unexploded ordnance. 

Around 600 police officers were deployed, and several fines were issued for drug possession and traffic offences.

Organisers said they had chosen the site near Bourges – hometown of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez – to protest against the proposed legislation. 

In Saint-Privat-du-Fau (Lozère), on May 14, around 1,500 to several thousand people gathered amid difficult weather conditions. Authorities reported cases of hypothermia and deployed significant police resources. The prefecture had already warned of difficult weather conditions and urged people not to attend the gathering.

In Monteneuf, (Morbihan) on May 16 around 300 people occupied agricultural land near a protected Natura 2000 area. Clashes with gendarmes saw the throwing of projectiles and the firing of mortar fireworks. Three officers were injured, and local authorities reported damage to farmland and the environment. 

In Saint-Clément-Rancoudray (Manche), around 400 people gathered on April 17 on private agricultural land, without the farmer’s consent. The gendarmerie recorded 20 offences. 

Authorities report hundreds of events each year in France 

According to the French Interior Ministry, as cited by Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and reported by France 24, 337 illegal music events were recorded in 2025. Most involved around 300 participants, although a growing number of events are significantly larger. 

Organisers often use rural or isolated areas such as farmland, forests, abandoned sites, or military land, making enforcement difficult. 

Why are they now on the rise 

A bill currently being debated in parliament aims to strengthen penalties for illegal rave parties – a move that has prompted some people to organise events such as the one in Cornusse as a form of protest.

The bill, which has already been adopted by the National Assembly and is now under debate in the Senate after the government initiated accelerated procedure, proposes up to six months in prison and a €30,000 fine for organisers and those facilitating the events. 

Participants are set to face a fine of up to €1,500, rising to €3,000 for repeat offenders. 

Supporters of free parties argue that they are part of a long-standing electronic music culture in France, offering a space for freedom of expression. 

Authorities, however, say the scale and frequency of recent events show increasing risks to public safety, the environment, and local communities.