France's Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez greets emergency medical service and civil protection members as he visits an advanced medical post on the sidelines of a "teknival" rave party at a military site, in Cornusse, near Bourges in central France, Sunday, May 3, 2026. KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AP
France's interior minister vowed Sunday, May 3, a crackdown on illegal raves as he flew over a giant party at a military site that defied warnings about the risk of possible explosions. The unauthorized rave, known as a "free party," kicked off on Friday at a firing range near the central French town of Bourges.
Organizers said that up to 40,000 people from France and neighboring countries partied at the firing range, while Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez put the turnout at 17,000.
Officials said gathering at the military site was dangerous because of the risk of explosions from old ordnance dating back to World War II.
But organizers said they had chosen the firing range near Bourges – Nuñez's hometown – on purpose, to protest against proposed legislation aimed at toughening penalties against organizers of free parties and their participants.
On Sunday, Nuñez flew over the site in a helicopter and met local residents. Speaking to reporters, Nuñez said the defiance of the organizers only strengthened his determination to ban such events.
600 files already issued
He said the government would seek to "crack down more effectively" on illegal gatherings that "our fellow citizens do not understand." "To ensure this doesn't happen again, sanctions must be toughened," he said, adding that 600 fines had already been issued.
Nunez also said those who attended the party would be fined for entering a military site and for taking part in an illegal gathering.
In April, French parliament's lower house approved a bill introducing penalties of up to six months in jail for anyone who plays a direct or indirect role in organizing or facilitating an unauthorized or banned rave party. Participation in organizing such an event is defined broadly, extending as far as the "dissemination of practical information."
The minister said that authorities logged 337 illegal music events in 2025, typically drawing around 300 attendees, with 4% attracting crowds of more than 1,000 people.
No major incidents were reported near Bourges. Bomb disposal experts had to intervene after a shell was discovered near a road passing through the party site.
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