Résumé : The hadronic structure of the decay of the τ lepton to three charged particles, τ → 3πντ, is studied using data collected by the DELPHI detector at LEP between 1992 and 1995. The invariant mass of the 3π system, m3π, is fitted using the models of Kühn and Santamaria, Isgur Morningstar and Reader, and Feindt. The 3π and π+π- mass spectra are compared with each model. Below m23π = 2.3 GeV2, all are in good qualitative agreement. Above m23π = 2.3 GeV2, anomalous behaviour is observed, consistent with the existence of a hitherto unseen decay mode of the τ through a radial excitation of the a1 meson. © 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.