Organisation Grand Bal de l’Europe 2026 : download pdf (includes the information below).
For two weeks, the richness, diversity, and magic of dance and music allow everyone to create their own Grand Bal de l’Europe, in a spirit of freedom grounded in respect and consideration for oneself and others. The festival is governed by rules designed to ensure individual and collective safety, as well as respect for the surrounding neighbourhood.
We invite you to read the full description of our organisation.
We warmly thank the artists, organisers, and participants who have helped build the Grand Bal de l’Europe, and we invite you to bring the 2026 festival to life with us and share in this experience.
The aim of the Association is to ensure that everyone can express their music and dance with passion and enjoyment, and experience moments that are meaningful to them.
Respect, dialogue, solidarity, a culture of consent, experimentation, and exchange are the foundations of the Grand Bal de l’Europe.
At Gennetines, we explore the irrational and transformative power of dance. We question artistic ownership, as well as the sources and methods through which dance is transmitted. With rigour, kindness, and humour, our goal is to offer high-quality dance that is accessible to most people.
All members share the same rights and responsibilities. In building the Grand Bal de l’Europe and respecting its constraints, the collective interest always comes first. Respect for the festival’s code of conduct and rules is an essential part of respecting the work of the Association and everyone involved in making it happen.
Two options: online in advance of the meetings, or subject to availability on site in Gennetines.
Registration/ticket purchase before the Grand Bal de l’Europe
Online registration opens on 5 May (link available on our home page).
– Until 10 July: reduved pre-sale prices apply with payment by credit card or French cheque. Registration is confirmed once payment is received.
– After 10 July: payment by credit card only, via the website.
All registrations must be completed via the website, including those paid by cheque.
Deferred payments (cheques) must be received as soon as possible and no later than 13 July.
Ticket purchase during the Grand Bal de l’Europe
Online daily ticket purchase remain possible until the day before your arrival, via our website.
Many days sell out. Please check the news section on our website regularly to monitor availability and plan your stay.
Please do not come if the festival is fully booked, entry will not be possible.
If ou buy your tickets on-site, payment will be by credit card or debit card, cash, French bank cheque.
Our activities are only open to members of our association.
Individual annual membership of the association from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2027 (non refundable)
❱ Membership fee for individuals aged 18 and over: €25
❱ Membership fee for individuals aged 10 to 17: €5
Entrance fees, payment before 10 July
Daily prices
❱ Full price: €21 / day ;
❱ Reduced rate from 18 to 24 years old: €15 / day
❱ Reduced rate from 10 to 17 years old: €10.5 / day
❱ Friday, 24 July (evening only): €10 (€5 for ages 10-24)
❱ Children under 10: free for all festival.
14-Day Package
14-days package from 25 July 7 to August (includes the evening of 24 July)
Available only before 10 July
❱ Full price: €239
❱ Reduced rate from 18 to 24 years old: €174
❱ Reduced rate from 10 to 17 years old: €119
❱ Children under 10: free for all festival.
Reduced ratesfor people with disabilities are available upon presentation of official documentary. Please contact us at +33 (0)4 70 42 14 42 on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.
Entrance fees, payment after 10 July
Packages no longer available after 10 July.
Daily prices
❱ Full price: €25 / day
❱ Reduced rate from 18 to 24 years old: €17 / day
❱ Reduced rate from 10 to 17 years old: €12 / day
❱ Friday, 24 July (evening only): €12 (€6 for ages 10-24)
❱ Children under 10: free for all festival.
Reduced ratesfor people with disabilities are available upon presentation of official documentary. Please contact us at +33 (0)4 70 42 14 42 on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.
Meal and refreshment tickets
❱ Meals: €12
❱ Refreshment Tickets: €1.5
❱ Breakfast : 2 refreshment tickets.
Identification, Payment methods
❱ Please bring proof of identity to collect your wristband. We accept both paper and digital format. Proof of identity is also mandatory for children.
❱ Minors must present the signed parental or legal guardian authorisation and must be accompanied by their deignated adult referee.
❱ We accept credit and debit cards, cash or French cheques on site.
The reception desk: from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
There you can collect your wristband, purchase meal or refreshment tickets, or buy additional days.
Exceptional opening on Friday, 24 July from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Access control : 24 hours a day
Anyone staying on the gatherings grounds (dance grounds, parking lots, campgrounds) will need to wear a daily wristband on his wrist or possess a ticket for the following day. The check-in control to access the dance grounds will be done 24 hours a day and you will have to show your wristband and your ticket for that day. We will also carry out checks on our various grounds.
Mealtime: from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. / from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. / from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Self-service meals are provided near the dance grounds, they include vegetarian options.
Local food vendors are also available for those who prefer to self-cater.
Snack bar: from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.
Drinks, ice cream, snacking all day and after 9:00 p.m. all the previous plus sandwiches.
Instrument storage (“Consigne”): from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.
The “Consigne” is a free, secure storage for musical instruments only. It is located on site.
We advise you to customise your instrument cases: distinguishing mark on the outside and address, name on the inside.
First Aid
First aid is provided for medical emergencies 24 hours a day. A list of pharmacies, doctors and hospitals is available at the First Aid Station. Please bring your own first aid kit.
Prevention and management of violence and harassment
A dedicated system is in place to prevent and address sexual, sexist and discriminatory violence and harassment. More information on our website: https://www.gennetines.org/dispositif-de-prevention-et-de-gestion-des-violences-et-harcelements-sexuels-et-ou-sexistes/
Information point
We recommend a daily visit to the info point, where you’ll find the programme and updates, organisational information. A message board and car-sharing ad board are also at your disposal.
Children
The gatherings grounds are not specifically designed for children. We ask that minors are kept under the supervision of an adult.
Every child must be registered, even if admission is free. Proof of identity is also required (family record book accepted).
Parental authorisation has to be presented, filled in and signed, upon arrival at Gennetines. The designated referee for the duration of the festival is to be present for the registration process to be completed.
Medical advice and insurance
We recommend consulting a doctor before attending to ensure you are fit to dance. We also strongly recommend taking out a personal insurance policy to cover potential injuries.
Animals and pets
We are not able to accommodate pets at the festival for reasons of noise, hygiene and
responsibility. Animals are therefore prohibited on the festival site, the parking lots and the
campgrounds.
Useful tips
You can personalize your bag to make it easier to find it, especially at night, and bring:
– a snap hook to hang your bag
– a glass, tumbler or water bottle
– a cloth napkin
– A small independent light
– a small first-aid kit (insects bites, minor injuries, contractures, sun cream, etc.)
Gennetines (03400)
Gennetines is situated 300 km south of Paris and 10 km north of Moulins, in the Allier Department.
The Grand Bal de l’Europe takes place on an old Bourbonnais farm, Les Gauthiers, wich is located on the D288, halfway between the villages of Gennetines and Trevol.
By train, the nearest station is 10 km away at Moulins-sur-Allier; there is no regular transport to the festival site.
Possible solutions for completing your journey:
– Taxi: tell the driver you are going to the Grand Bal de l’Europe, « aux Gauthiers, 13 Route de Trévol », at Gennetines, on the D288
– On-demand return transport from the station Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: select the Gennetines-Les Marcons stop (500 metres from the festival), practical information on the website https://www.moulins-bus.com/tad-aleo-a-la-demande/
Paring lot and campgrounds
The parking lot and campgrounds are both located on private property and access is restricted to participants wearing a wristband. Their usage is free.
The campgrounds are farm fields, adjacents to the festival site and equipped with hot showers, toilets, drinking water, sinks, and electric outlets with limited use for razors and hairdryers.
They will be available from 23 July.
Campgrounds rules and safety
Pay attention to your neighbours. Please drive slowly and limit vehicle use. Do not sleep in your car in the parking lot. Speak softly and keep noise to a minimm..
Our campgrounds are big enough to accommodate every participants. There are no reserved space, you will have to find an available area when you arrive. Please ensure you announce the correct type of accommodation (tent, motorhome, caravan, car or camper van) to our staff.
To ensure everyone’s safety, the following rules are fundamental and must be obeyed without discussion. We provide informations for off-site accommodation in the next section just in case.
- Keep all marked access routes clear for possible intervention by emergency services and firefighters. There must be a reasonable space between tents in order to prevent the spreading of fires
- No dangerous or toxic products should be stored in tents
- Our campgrounds are not designed for smokers or gas cookers (we recommend extreme caution on the part of smokers and cookers – they should have a fire-extinguisher and a stock of water nearby their tent)
- Do not camp or park under trees. In the event of a storm, evacuate if you are near trees
- Please make sure your tent and other camping gears are secured against the wind
- The grounds are bumpy and there is very little light or none. We recommend bringing your own flashlight and be careful when walking
- The Association can not be held responsible if rules are not respected (please check that you have personal insurance).
The Moulins TouristOffice, which is a partner, can help you find an accommodation or guide you in exploring the region. Please note that you should not wait util the last minute to book our accommodation.
– Office de Tourisme de Moulins et sa région
11 rue François-Péron – 03000 Moulins
Tel: +33 4 70 44 14 14
www.moulins-tourisme.com
Gîtes de France
You can contact the Gîtes de France local offices for Allier and Nièvre.
– Gîtes de France Allier
www.gites-de-france-allier.com
Tél. +33 4 82 75 68 55
– Gîtes de France Nièvre
http://www.gites-de-france.com/fr/
bourgogne/location-de-vacances-nievre
Tél. +33 3 86 36 42 39.