40,000 people attend illegal rave at French military site despite explosive fears

An enormous 40,000-strong illegal rave kicked off on a military site in France over the weekend following new crackdowns on unlicensed events in the country.

The free party, dubbed Bourges Teknival, took place close to Bourges in central France on a former military firing range where bomb disposal experts warned of potential “unexploded ordnance” in the area.

Bourges Teknival reportedly began on Friday (May 1) and saw 20,000 people in attendance by Saturday morning, on-site free party support network Tekno Anti Rep told AFP.

By Saturday evening, around 35,000 to 40,000 people were said to be on site, which is close to the home of Laurent Nuñez, France’s Minister of the Interior.

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The decision to host the event near Nuñez’s home is thought to be a purposeful one following the proposal of new legislation that would see those in Marseille hit with large fines and even prison sentences for attending or hosting illegal raves.

Videos and photos of Bourges Teknival showed thousands of ravers gathered on site in front of soundsystem rigs and makeshift festival tents, with camping tents and vans dispersed across the 25,000-acre site.

Speaking to France 24, local prefect Philippe Le Moing Surzur said: "Despite its illegal nature, the government has mobilised to ensure the safety of this event and limit any disturbances."

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He added that multiple unexploded shells had been found on site, calling it an “extremely dangerous” place to party, with some military ordnance dating back to World War II. Bomb disposal experts were eventually deployed to the site, officials confirmed.

According to the local mayor’s office, ravers and locals "got on well". The mayor of the nearby village of Cornusse called those in attendance "peaceful people".

Approximately 12 people were treated for minor injuries following the event, and a total of around 600 police officers and 45 firefighters were deployed to the scene.

[Via France 24]

Gemma Ross is Mixmag’s Associate Digital Editor, follow her on X