Protests are taking place throughout France against a proposed new law targeting free parties. Thousands took part in a demonstration in Montpellier yesterday (30 May 2026, pictured here) and more are planned over the next two weeks.
The law is known as RIPOST - 'Réponses immédiates aux phénomènes troublant l’ordre public, la sécurité et la tranquillité de nos concitoyens' (Immediate Responses to Phenomena Disturbing Public Order, Security and Tranquility of Our Fellow Citizens) and also includes measures against 'motorized assemblies' (gatherings of motorbikes and vehicles), nitrous oxide and for more video surveillance.
In terms of unauthorised free parties, the law requires events of more than 250 people to be authorised by local authorities (as opposed to 500 people as at present). Organisers of parties could be jailed for up to six months, with a very broad definition of an organiser:
'the following constitute participation in the organization of said gathering: setting up the system for disseminating practical information relating to this gathering, participating in the construction of the sound system, transporting sound equipment to or from the site of the gathering, setting up a rest and social area on the occupied land or setting up a food truck there'.
The free party movement has set out a statement/petition against the law:
'At a time when a large portion of young people have limited purchasing power, and therefore limited social life and access to culture, free parties allow them access to free and unrestricted spaces for socialization...
Furthermore, the free party represents a space for artistic and social experimentation, primarily based on sharing and inclusion. It is a creative refuge that attempts to mitigate the impact of capitalism on our lives. Different techniques and art forms are combined, and skills are pooled: circus arts, sound and lighting technicians, crafts, electronic music, and video projections, among others. It is through these activities and creations that artists, the public, and all other participants can experiment, perform, learn, and develop professionally. This richness must be protected, lest it disappear with the free party movement, without any other scene to re-emerge in.
It is therefore important today to mobilize to defend our movement, our culture, and our values. Free culture defends freedom, sharing, mutual aid, and solidarity'.
The statement has been signed by an impressive range of collectives and sound systems
Collectifs: Collectif Tekno Antirep; Coordination Nationale des Sons; Collectif IDF;Coordination Rhône-Alpes des Sons; Coordination Occitanie des Sons; -Art et Culture 29
Sounds-systems: Maraudeur.euse, Collectif Eclypsis, Oblyk-Dfroké La Chafouinerie, Déchetterie, KrâneKC, Highnoon Soundsystem, k’rabass, BTPutes, Cabatek, Sonokracie, Hobbitek, skro, gptk, foxakif, Mafia, Dissonant Orchestra , Cptk6tm, insolent.e.s, D-TRA-TEK, Diablo'Core, ZQR, GÉNEZ1S, Amplithorynques, Neuroatypik, Lobotonik, Larsen Actif, Collectif Courtoisie, Armatek, RAR Family, ITF, Sub’Nambule, Adekwatt, Dystopyk Circus, Bondatak, free confits, ABDK, SKS, Otarcik, Fanfarons, Tribal Skankers, Inadekwatt, frénésie sonore, deci’bass 29, BDK, System K, Collectif des Insoumis, SA Free System, ECLE7IK, Dechniller, 46tem, 12H, Baba Punk Monster, MBS, MLK, Tekmanta, Infraktus, collectif MiniBeats, Tikitek, ORB²EAT, albertotek, Guinguette Grooverz, Defazotek, Arketyp, les Anonymes, Riboultek, Mirage, ADSR, An'artschitek, Les Affamés, SNT, Tekno Rokette, D-CenTré, Dubeatatif, 1-SURGÉ, Paradoxeteck, 1konform, OTC, Sonot’Ohm, Signal Sonore, TouTanTeK, Soul6Tem, Arrêt Kardiak, Les Insolents, Hpss, S23, DTR, Raveoltek, Meck.401, 1Trakable, Bivouac Tekno Partisans, RBT, D.A. Vagabond, Acid6'trik, BlackBass, No Limit's, Beausniaq, Symbiotek, AKF, Mushroom-CUBN6, NVC, KMTK
Of course there are similarities here with the 1990s Criminal Justice Act in Britain, and indeed in introducing their Bill, politicians made explicit reference to this: 'These rave parties also affect many other European countries , with varying legal responses. British police can fine organizers of illegal gatherings of more than 30 people, compared to 500 in France, with fines reaching up to €11,600. Since 2022 in Italy, organizing and participating in an illegal rave party constitutes a specific offense, carrying prison sentences ranging from three to six years for organizers and one to four years for participants. A fixed fine is also imposed, along with the confiscation of sound equipment. If our European neighbors manage to toughen their legislation regarding these illegal gatherings, France could do the same'.
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| 'Save a party! Eat the prefecture, capital, the fascists, the system. Nobody likes the smell of gas in the early morning. Free party in danger. Stomp your feet to fight back!' |
Earlier this month, up to 40,000 people attended the unauthorised Teknival on an old military firing range in Cornusse, near Bourges (central France).
Follow @teknoantirep on insta for updates
See also
Revolt of the Ravers – The Movement against the Criminal Justice Act in Britain 1993-95
