Meeting the DJAM – Les Heures Ludiques, the festival where everyone plays
In October, we talked with Didier Boureau, one of the organizers of the DJAM – Les Heures Ludiques. Seven Le Mans game nonprofits, some 70 volunteers, and a principle held since the start: a free game weekend at Les Quinconces, open to all, ages 3 and up. The 17th edition takes place November 7 and 8.
Photo : DJAM – Les Heures Ludiques — site officiel (édition 2025)
Seven nonprofits behind one festival
DJAM stands for “Des Jeux Au Mans.” The festival isn't the work of a single club: it brings together seven of the city's game nonprofits, which pool their volunteers and know-how. The ludothèque Planet'Jeux, the Échiquier Club Le Mans, Le Mans GO, the Damier manceau, Le Mans Bridge Club, Akiltoor, for board games, and the Prétoriens, for miniatures and historical games.
At the start, there was chess, go, and math games: the festival was then called the Festival des jeux de l'esprit, and the nonprofit that runs it still keeps that as its official name. Since then, it has opened up to every kind of game, and each edition has a theme.
Why everything is free
Three ideas come up when you ask what makes the DJAM what it is. Free admission first: you walk in without a ticket and stay as long as you like. Play for its own sake next: you play for the fun of it, not to win a prize. And diversity, because there are games for every taste and every age. On site, you move freely from room to room.
The festival welcomes children from age 3. The organizer's tip for families: come in the morning, it's calmer.
What you'll find, room by room
The festival takes over several spaces at Les Quinconces. In the Forum's big hall, family board games, with the year's new releases featured and volunteers to explain the rules. The exhibition room hosts abstract games and the clubs: chess, go, checkers, and bridge, with players ready to introduce curious newcomers.
The small theater is reserved for families: the ludothèque sets up an area there for the youngest, from age 3. In the lobby, the Prétoriens set up their miniatures and historical games, and a “challenge zone” offers games made from cardboard or homemade. The neighboring Pathé cinema takes part too, with big wooden games.
Tournaments for those who love competition
The weekend has its tournaments too. Le Mans GO, a recently relaunched go club, holds its annual tournament in the theater lobby: registration Saturday at noon, two rounds on Saturday, two on Sunday, and an awards ceremony on Sunday at 5 PM. The Échiquier Club Le Mans holds a chess tournament there in tribute to Jacques Lambert.
All year round, at Le Carré Rouge and L'Espal
The DJAM doesn't stop in November. During the season, the member nonprofits run game events at Le Carré Rouge, Les Quinconces, and L'Espal: board game afternoons with Akiltoor, go evenings, chess evenings and kids' tournaments, playful Wednesdays with Planet'Jeux.
The festival welcomes several thousand visitors every year. It is put on with the support of the City of Le Mans and its cultural department.
This festival is really worth a visit: share this article with someone who loves to play, or who is looking for a family outing in November.
Getting there
- When: Saturday, November 7, 2026 from 10 AM to 11 PM, Sunday, November 8 from 10 AM to 6 PM.
- Where: Les Quinconces, place des Jacobins, Le Mans (tram T2, Jacobins – Quinconces stop; Quinconces parking).
- Free admission, no reservation. Ages 3 and up; calmer in the morning.
- Go tournament: information and registration on the festival's website.
- The festival page in the Sortir au Mans calendar
- The DJAM – Les Heures Ludiques page on Sortir au Mans
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