With boundless energy and a clear vision, Lucie Lambert, now at the head of L'Usine à Chapeaux (UAC), embarks on this new chapter with determination. After chairing the association for nearly ten years, she takes the reins of this Rambouillet institution, founded in 1960 as a Maison des jeunes et de la Culture (MJC).
She highlights her unconventional career path, far from elite schools, but forged through hard work and a deep passion for the region and community. Lucie Lambert sees culture, music, and the social and solidarity economy as essential levers for living together. She chose to "put down roots" in Rambouillet at the age of 19.
Her attachment to L'Usine à Chapeaux is profound; she had her first musical experiences there, rehearsing with her band and discovering the autonomy and trust given to young people. This place was a true "refuge," a space of "freedom and kindness" where her voice gained importance.
Guided by figures like Caroline Migot and Lionel Bobel, she learned the intricacies of associative management and the values of popular education. After professional experiences in Maurepas, Saint Ouen, and Saint-Germain-en-Laye, she returns to L'Usine with the conviction that these venues are spaces for initiative and mutual learning for residents.
With 65 employees, 180 volunteers, and 2,500 members, L'Usine is a major player in Rambouillet's life, supported by various public institutions. Accredited as a Social Center and labeled as a Contemporary Music Venue (SMAC), it offers a wide range of activities: dance, music, theater, social support, administrative assistance, etc.
Lucie Lambert aims to develop outreach initiatives to reach residents in different neighborhoods and strengthen intergenerational connections. She is particularly considering the creation of a Fab lab to foster skill-sharing among all generations, making L'Usine a place where everyone can write their own story.
