The unauthorised rave known as a “free party” kicked off on Friday at a firing range near the central French town of Bourges.

Organisers said that up to 40,000 people from France and neighbouring countries partied at the firing range, while interior minister Laurent Nunez put the turnout at 17,000.

Officials said gathering at the military site was dangerous because of the risk of explosions from old ordnance dating back to World War II.

However, organisers said they had chosen the firing range near Bourges – Nunez’s hometown – on purpose, to protest against proposed legislation aimed at toughening penalties against organisers of free parties and their participants.

On Sunday, Nunez flew over the site in a helicopter and met local residents.

Speaking to reporters, Nunez said the defiance of the organisers only strengthened his determination to ban such events.

He said the government would seek to “crack down more effectively” on illegal gatherings that “our fellow citizens do not understand”.

“To ensure this doesn’t happen again, sanctions must be toughened,” he said, adding that 600 fines had already been issued.

Nunez also said those who attended the party would be fined for entering a military site and for taking part in an illegal gathering.

In April, French parliament’s lower house approved a bill introducing penalties of up to six months in jail for anyone who plays a direct or indirect role in organising or facilitating an unauthorised or banned rave party.

Participation in organising such an event is defined broadly, extending as far as the “dissemination of practical information.”

The minister said that authorities logged 337 illegal music events in 2025, typically drawing around 300 attendees, with 4% attracting crowds of more than 1,000 people.

No major incidents were reported near Bourges. Bomb disposal experts had to intervene after a shell was discovered near a road passing through the party site.