Is Rave Parties Coming to an End? Authorities Are Tightening Restrictions and Penalties

With the arrival of the good weather, there will be more and more rave parties . But it's becoming harder and harder to organize these techno music parties... The proof is with the Teknival on May 1st, a big event with tens of thousands of party-goers last year: it was canceled at the last minute and nothing is planned this year.

Everyone agrees that it's very complicated to organize parties these days. Michael has to fight with elected officials, residents who directly threaten landowners, and so on. Partygoers fear the end of these free techno parties. In 2024, nearly 60% of parties had their equipment seized, and fines are also raining down on participants: €135 for what's called "aiding and abetting noise."

What's certain is that the authorities are fed up. The prefectures of Hérault and Haute-Marne have banned illegal musical gatherings for one year, until September 30th. In Haute-Saône, too, local authorities are mobilizing, as in Murat-sur-Vèbre in the south of France. There, there are 6 to 8 rave parties per year. So, Mayor Daniel Vidal now has his own technique: as soon as a suspicious utility vehicle approaches, within half an hour, farmers block access.

But he admits, "We're shifting the problem, but we're not solving it." What's needed, he says, is legislative action. To help elected officials, MP Laëtitia Saint-Paul has tabled a bill: fines would increase from €1,500 to €5,000 per organizer, including those who bring sound equipment. The MP hopes to see the bill debated in early June.