The Paléo Festival in Switzerland ends cooperation with Patrick Bruel following allegations from a volunteer massage therapist

Nyon – 25.05.2026: The Paléo Festival in Nyon, Switzerland, has ended its cooperation with the French singer Patrick Bruel after a volunteer massage therapist reported “unacceptable behavior” by the artist in 2019. This decision was made following a report on the French television program “Sept à Huit” on May 24, 2026, in which the massage therapist recounted an incident that occurred during Bruel’s performance at the Paléo Festival in July 2019.

According to the testimony of the massage therapist, who wished to remain anonymous, Bruel was completely naked on the massage table in the backstage area of the festival and requested a massage in the pubic area. She called this behavior “unacceptable.” In a statement on social media, the Paléo Festival said they took the matter “very seriously” and supported the volunteer. “Of course, we will no longer invite Patrick Bruel to the Paléo Festival,” the announcement said.

After the 2019 incident, the massage therapist filed a lawsuit, but the parties later reached an agreement. According to reports, she withdrew the lawsuit after a financial settlement in which Bruel donated several thousand euros to an organization supporting migrant women. Bruel’s lawyer confirmed this agreement but denied the allegations and emphasized that “there was no action on the part of Patrick Bruel” towards the massage therapist. “An agreement was proposed by the public prosecutor’s office, as is usual in Switzerland for lesser charges,” he added.

These allegations are not the first against Bruel. In 2019, several similar accusations from massage therapists in various locations in France such as Perpignan and Ajaccio emerged. These allegations led to investigations into sexual harassment and exhibitionism. However, the investigations were suspended by the Nanterre public prosecutor’s office in December 2020 due to insufficient evidence to prove criminal conduct.

Although the investigations in France have ended, the Paléo Festival in Nyon still decided to end cooperation with Bruel due to the 2019 incident. “The respect and safety of our community are non-negotiable,” the festival emphasized in the statement. This decision also comes in the context of Patrick Bruel’s upcoming tour, planned to take place in Switzerland in the coming months.

The allegations against Bruel once again raise questions about the responsibility of artists and organizers in handling such accusations. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and what impact it may have on Bruel’s career.