Pierre Gendronneau, number 2 of the Avignon Festival, targeted by an investigation after reports of sexual violence – Liberation
The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed this Tuesday, May 27, having opened an investigation targeting Pierre Gendronneau, deputy director general of the Avignon Festival, on possible acts of sexual harassment when he occupied another position, after having received a report from the Ministry of Culture in this direction. This report aimed at facts denounced by an employee of Fall Festival Parisian, where Pierre Gendronneau officiated before February 2023 and his arrival in Avignon, the director of the Parisian event, Emmanuel Demarcy-Motta said at the end of April to AFP.
The prosecution simply confirmed to have « received » this « Article 40 » : According to the Code of Criminal Procedure, any constituted authority which, in the exercise of its functions, acquires the knowledge of a crime or an offense is required to give notice to the public prosecutor without delay. The prosecution also indicated « That the investigation had been entrusted to the delinquency repression brigade (BRDP) ».
« Almost two years after her departure, in the fall of 2024, were reported to me by an employee who said he had been the victim of the acts of sexual harassment on the part of Pierre Gendronneau »Emmanuel Demarcy-Motta told AFP. The Fall Festival has mandated the Egaé cabinet, Directed by Caroline de Haasfor an internal investigation.
“A report was made to the ministry. I asked to be able to talk about it with all the members of the festival team, and we have implemented a procedure to reach a diagnosis. But Pierre Gendronneau being no longer an employee, there is no contradictory, and no possible sanction within the fall festival »added last month, Emmanuel Demarcy-Motta.
It was the discovery of this report from the ministry that led The director of the Avignon Festival, Tiago Rodriguesto Mandate Egaé to also conduct an internal investigation, carried out « in November and December ”, said the latter. « Several independent lawyers »solicited by the festival, concluded that « The investigation did not reveal proven facts of harassment or violence on the part of Pierre Gendronneau during his work period » In Avignon, had continued Tiago Rodrigues.
But the existence of accusations “Prior to his arrival at the Avignon Festival and other triggered surveys created a climate of suspicion towards him. It became impossible for him to carry out his mission ”explained Tiago Rodrigues again, announcing the departure, « By mutual agreement », of Pierre Gendronneau on June 13« For personal reasons » and following these « Accusations » sexual and sexist violence. Solicited Tuesday by AFP, the directions of the two festivals did not comment.
