City of blue people: Residents of France set record for smurfs taking to the streets

Even the mayor painted his face blue.

If you see blue people outside your window, and even the hairdressers in the beauty salon are blue, then you are likely living in the French town of Landerneau. Last weekend, a large-scale flash mob took place there: thousands of people hit the streets with blue makeup on their faces and in light blue T-shirts. The locals were cosplaying as Smurfs - animated characters created by the Belgian artist Peyo in the mid-20th century.

Specifically, 3,076 participants turned blue at the event in Landerneau, breaking the previous record of 2,762 people, which was held by the German town of Lauchringen in 2019.

People with blue faces in white hats celebrating the record — Smurfs in Landerneau

The French tried to outdo their neighbors in 2020 and 2023, but something always got in the way: first technical issues, then unexpected rain. But in July 2025, Paramount Pictures is releasing a new movie about the Smurfs. Their representatives encouraged the town in Brittany to try a third time - and it worked! Even the mayor of Landerneau dressed up in white and blue.

A square filled with people with blue faces — Flash mob gathered over 3,000 people

Now the French are waiting for a response from the Germans. Let's see 4,000 Smurfs on the streets!

Additionally, the new movie about the blue gnomes will be titled “Smurfs.” Kurt Russell and Rihanna participated in the voice acting. The latter also composed the film's music. Earlier, zoomboola.com reported on the nightmare that filmmakers turned the Bambi cartoon into.