The institution
Paléo is a historic institution in Europe.
With nearly 50 years of experience, it has helped shape the cultural, organisational and economic model of festivals.
It is also a dynamic and innovative SME that collaborates with a rich professional network both in Switzerland and abroad.
Paléo has organized +250 days of festivities, welcomed +4,000 artists and nearly 8 million spectators. The scale of our infrastructure, our professionalism and our loyal audience make the Festival an essential stop for both established headliners and emerging talents. As a strategic and committed actor within the industry, Paléo founded and co-finances the Fondation romande pour la Chanson et les Musiques actuelles (FCMA), is an active member of the Swiss Music Promoters Association (SMPA) and participates in Yourope, the European festival association. In 2025, Paléo was elected Best Major Festival during the European Festival Awards.
Throughout the year, Paléo collaborates with around thirty sponsors and one hundred companies active in diverse fields such as construction, food, communication, event production, technologies and culture. The association that organises the Festival is entirely self-financed. As a reliable and creative partner, Paléo supports local businesses and prioritises long-term collaborations. The economic impact on the region is significant: direct, through the work conducted with local SMEs and the redistribution system to associations; and indirect, particularly in the hospitality, restaurant and tourism sectors.
A pioneer in many fields, Paléo is a unique laboratory for event experimentation. Throughout its history, the organisation has demonstrated great innovation capacity and boundless creativity: new forms of artistic performance, daring urban developments, sophisticated audience and safety systems, and an ambitious sustainability policy. Paléo is a full-scale incubator focused on innovation and knowledge sharing, both for Switzerland and internationally.
Paléo enjoys a reputation that extends far beyond the country's borders. It is both a historic event with invaluable heritage and a key international stakeholder, particularly within the Yourope network. Paléo is especially active in the YES Group dedicated to safety and audience services, and in the GO Group focused on sustainability. As a voice for local creation abroad, the Festival offers strong visibility to Swiss creativity and innovation.
