The Paléo Festival in Switzerland ends 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 “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 masseuse recounted an incident that occurred during Bruel’s performance at the Paléo Festival in July 2019.

According to the masseuse’s testimony, who chose to remain anonymous, Bruel allegedly lay completely naked on the massage table during a massage backstage at the festival, asking for the pubic area to be massaged. 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 is clear that we will no longer invite Patrick Bruel to the Paléo Festival,” the statement read.

After the 2019 incident, the masseuse took legal action which, however, ended with an out-of-court settlement. It was reported that she withdrew the complaint after a financial agreement, which involved a donation of several thousand euros from Bruel to a support organization for migrants. Bruel’s lawyer confirmed the agreement but denied the accusations, emphasizing that there was “no action by Patrick Bruel” against the masseuse. “The agreement was proposed by the public prosecutor, as is common in Switzerland for less serious charges,” he added.

These accusations are not the first against Bruel. In 2019, other similar complaints from masseurs and masseuses from various locations in France, including Perpignan and Ajaccio, led to investigations for sexual harassment and exhibitionism. However, these proceedings were closed in December 2020 by the Nanterre prosecutor’s office due to insufficient evidence to constitute a crime.

Despite the closure of 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 ahead of Patrick Bruel’s upcoming tour, scheduled in the coming months in Switzerland.

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