The mayor of Chartres has announced that French singer Patrick Bruel will not be permitted to perform in the city, where he was scheduled to open his 35-date anniversary tour on October 2. The decision comes as the 67-year-old artist faces 32 complaints and multiple formal investigations for alleged sexual violence.
A Clear Stance from City Hall
Ladislas Vergne, the center-right mayor of Chartres, made his position unequivocal in a statement posted on X. “My position is clear: Patrick Bruel will not perform in Chartres,” he wrote, citing the serious nature of the accusations against the singer.
Vergne emphasized that his decision is not a legal condemnation but rather “a demand for responsibility in the face of an exceptional situation.” He stressed that while the presumption of innocence remains a cornerstone of French law, it must not silence those who say they have been victimized.
Respecting Victims and Judicial Process
The mayor underscored the human dimension behind the mounting legal cases. “Behind the numbers, there are women, testimonies, personal journeys and alleged suffering that must be heard and considered with the utmost seriousness,” he stated. He also highlighted the need to allow the justice system to work without added public pressure.
Vergne called on Bruel to withdraw his Chartres date voluntarily, suggesting that a future performance could be reconsidered if the singer is cleared. “If he comes back in a year: no problem. Because he will have been exonerated. But not today, not in this context,” he told France Télévisions.
A Tour Under Scrutiny
Bruel had previously cancelled all concerts through September following a wave of accusations in late May. However, French celebrity magazine Voici reports that he intends to proceed with the autumn tour, which runs from October 2 to November 21 across major venues, including the Zénith in Paris.
The planned tour has drawn criticism from feminist collectives, which previously mobilized against a Paris theatre production featuring Bruel in May. The singer is formally charged in four sexual violence cases and has been placed under assisted witness status in four others.
New Complaints Emerge
On Wednesday, lawyer Myriam Guedj-Benayoun, representing several plaintiffs, announced that a new complaint for attempted rape had been filed against the singer. She added that additional testimonies are expected to be submitted to judicial authorities in September.
The Chartres decision marks a significant escalation in public pushback against the artist, as local officials weigh the seriousness of allegations against the right to perform. Bruel has not publicly commented on the mayor’s announcement.
