The Paléo Festival in Switzerland ends its collaboration with Patrick Bruel following accusations by a volunteer masseuse

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

According to the statements of the masseuse, who wishes to remain anonymous, Bruel allegedly lay completely naked on the massage table backstage at the festival and asked to be massaged in the pubic area. She described this behavior as “unacceptable.” In a statement on social media, the Paléo Festival said it takes the incident “very seriously” and supports the volunteer. “It goes without saying that we will not invite Patrick Bruel to the Paléo Festival again,” the statement said.

After the 2019 incident, the masseuse initiated legal proceedings that were ultimately settled out of court. According to reports, she withdrew her complaint following a financial settlement, with Bruel having made a donation of several thousand euros to an organization that assists migrant women. Bruel’s lawyer confirmed this agreement but denied the accusations, emphasizing that there was “no gesture from Patrick Bruel” towards the masseuse. “An agreement was proposed by the prosecutor, as is customary in Switzerland for less serious charges,” he added.

These accusations are not the first against Bruel. In 2019, several similar allegations were made by masseurs and masseuses from different regions in France, notably in Perpignan and Ajaccio. This led to investigations for sexual harassment and exhibitionism. However, these proceedings were closed without further action in December 2020 by the Nanterre prosecutor’s office due to insufficient evidence to establish a criminal offense.

Despite the closure of these investigations in France, the Paléo Festival in Nyon decided to end its collaboration with Bruel because of the 2019 incident. “The respect and safety of our community are non-negotiable,” the festival emphasized in its statement. This decision also comes in the context of Patrick Bruel’s upcoming tour planned in the coming months in Switzerland.

The accusations against Bruel again raise the question of the responsibility of artists and organizers in dealing with such allegations. It remains to be seen how the situation will evolve and what consequences it might have on Bruel’s career.