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 the French singer Patrick Bruel after a volunteer massage therapist reported “unacceptable behavior” by the artist in 2019. This decision follows a report on the French television program “Sept à Huit” on May 24, 2026, in which the massage therapist described an incident that occurred during Bruel’s performance at the Paléo Festival in July 2019.

According to the massage therapist’s statements, who wishes to remain anonymous, Bruel was completely naked on the massage table during a massage in the backstage area of the festival and requested 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 worker. “It is clear that we will no longer invite Patrick Bruel to the Paléo Festival,” the statement said.

After the 2019 incident, the massage therapist initiated legal action, which ended in an out-of-court settlement. It is reported that she withdrew the complaint after a financial arrangement, in which Bruel donated several thousand euros to an organization supporting migrant women. Bruel’s lawyer confirmed the settlement but denied the allegations and emphasized that “there was no inappropriate gesture by Patrick Bruel” towards the massage therapist. “The settlement was proposed by the prosecutor, as is usually done in Switzerland in cases of less serious accusations,” he added.

These accusations are not the first against Bruel. In 2019, multiple similar complaints were filed by massage therapists from various locations in France, including Perpignan and Ajaccio. This led to investigations into sexual harassment and exhibitionism. However, these proceedings were closed in December 2020 by the Nanterre prosecutor’s office without further measures due to insufficient evidence to prove a criminal offense.

Despite the closure of the 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,” emphasized the festival in its statement. This decision also comes in the context of Patrick Bruel’s upcoming tour scheduled for the next few months in Switzerland.

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