Hellfest" is the largest summer festival in France, taking place since 2006. Tens of thousands of people from around the world gather there annually. In 2022, 420 thousand people attended the festival over seven days. It is held in the small town of Clisson, 370 kilometers from Paris, with a population of just under seven thousand.
Everything unfolds within a vast fenced area near the town. The territory is divided into four parts:
- Hellcity – the starting point with shops, tattoo parlors, meet and greet zones, and other establishments.
- Infield – the field hosting stages, namely Main Stage 1, Main Stage 2, Warzone, Valley, Altar, and Temple.
- Tent Camp, divided into two zones: Easy Camp for those without tents, offering all-inclusive services with private showers, toilets, charging stations, breakfast areas, and a self-pitched tent area.
- Metal Corner – a zone with food, alcohol, and organizational points such as medical stations.
The journey to Hellfest begins with arrival in France, specifically in the romantic city of Paris.
The meeting point is the familiar 82 Rue Regnault at the foot of the Ibis Hotel, conveniently located with metro and buses within walking distance. If you arrive early, as I did, you can explore the wonderful Chinatown and enjoy Asian culture and cuisine.
Some of the guys flew in, others who lived nearby came by car, and I arrived by train. This time, those who used Vizit Travel's services came from all over the world! There was a family that arrived from Australia. Their journey to Paris took over a day, but they had no regrets. There were people from Russia, Spain, Estonia, the Netherlands, Finland, and other countries. We were all united by the anticipation of the great event for every metalhead! The bus seats were almost full and when our bus finally set off, everyone eagerly counted the hours until we reached Clisson.
The journey took about 6 hours with stops for refueling, using the restroom and buying something to eat/drink on the way. There was also a stop in the city of Nantes, 30 km from Clisson, for those who chose to stay in a nearby hotel.
Upon arrival in Clisson, they explained where and when our shuttle would be waiting for us after the festival. After the explanation we were finally "on our own." Since I was the only experienced one among the group, I led everyone to the front of the shuttle line to the festival. There were a lot of people, but at this point, it's time to relax and just go with the flow, because there will be many more queues at the festival. Gradually, we moved forward in line and finally boarded the shuttle to the festival. The journey takes 15-20 minutes. As you step out the grand spectacle gradually unfolds before you. Since we arrived on day zero in the evening and no bands were playing that day, but the entrance to the venue was already open, queues were almost nonexistent, which was great in such heat.
At the entrance, they scan the barcodes of the tickets: you can enter with either a paper or an electronic ticket. They put a bracelet with a chip on your wrist: this chip serves as a pass to the stages and allows you to pay for all services on the premises.
If you plan to camp with your tent for the entire festival, coming on day zero is a great idea, as you have the opportunity to choose a spot for your tent when there is a variety to choose from.
The camping area is divided into several color-coded zones, distinguished only by their location. From experience, the white and red camps are the most convenient; the white one is closest to the entrance to the stage area, and the red one is closer to the exit, convenient if you plan to leave the festival grounds, for example, to go to McDonald's or a shopping center with a hypermarket. (Yes, there's air conditioning there.)
Accommodation in the regular camping area is included in the ticket price; you just need to bring your tent and necessary items for staying. To avoid carrying everything, many buy tents and sleeping bags at the nearby "Leclerc" supermarket. It's advisable to consider a tent with sun protection to ensure it stays cool inside after a whole day in the sun and reduce the risk of feeling unwell. At night, floodlights illuminate the camp, but it's still easy to get lost due to the large area. For this reason, many bring various identifying signs, usually flags. Be prepared for difficulty achieving silence in such a camp; there's always someone talking until morning, listening to music, singing, and so on.
In the camp, almost everything is allowed except for fire: you cannot build bonfires, and burners are also prohibited. Barbecues are usually done outside the festival grounds, where cars and RVs are parked.
In addition to the regular camping area, there's Easy Camp: as I mentioned before, it's a fenced area with all amenities, accessible with a bracelet (which you can get after purchasing Easy Camp and registering at the entrance to Easy Camp). Tents in this area vary, including cardboard two-person tents, tents for 2-4 people, and large royal tents for 5 people.
This time, like many others, I used the service of purchasing a spot in Easy Camp through Vizit Travel and didn't regret it. We were kindly greeted at the entrance to Easy Camp, went through registration, and paid a deposit of 250 euros with the bracelet. They escorted us to the tent, and we settled in. The tent had a fairly thick, soft mattress, a pillow, a blanket, a set of disposable bed linen, a camping lantern, a towel, and a bag with hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, and shampoo). Agree, it's really everything you need for a comfortable stay for 5 days, right? :) The deposit is returned at the end of the festival upon check-out. The staff checks if everything is in place and intact, and kindly refunds the money to your bracelet.
By the way about the bracelet: Cashless is the chip on the bracelet that acts as a virtual card. You can use it to pay for food, drinks, merchandise, and more - everything located on the festival grounds. To use it, you need to load money onto the account: this can be done electronically with a foreign bank card and an account on the official Hellfest website, or you can do it at a special kiosk on the festival grounds. You can reload at the kiosks with both cash and electronic methods. They even accept coins. :) If there's any remaining balance on the chip at the end of the festival, you can get the money refunded, but only to a foreign card. So, it's better to plan your reloads to spend everything by the end of the festival to avoid withdrawal issues.
If you're not staying in Easy Camp, you need to arrange access to the showers. You should go to the same kiosk where you loaded your bracelet and pay for shower access (6 euros). The access is credited to your bracelet, which is then scanned upon entering the shower. There's no time limit, and you can stay there as long as you want. But be prepared for queues - there are many eager people, especially in the morning. Therefore, the best time is in the evening when the majority of people have headed to the stages. The situation with toilets is much easier; they are everywhere, volunteers maintain their cleanliness and order.
Food at festivals is everywhere, in every zone: on the way from the campsite to the central square, on the central square, and on the field with the stages. Everywhere, the portions are generous, and you can always find something to your taste due to the variety of cuisines. If you crave something specific, you can always venture outside the festival to McDonald's or find something edible in the shopping center, all within a 15–20-minute walk.
Alcohol at the festival is also readily available. In the camping area, you can drink anything in any container. You cannot bring your own alcohol onto the field with the stages. Security guards inspect visitors at the entrance and if they find glass, metal, plastic, cold weapons, and other unsafe items, they will ask you to leave them. In return, you'll receive a numbered token: in the evening, you can go to the kiosk where confiscated items are stored and reclaim yours.
But on the field with the stages, you can buy various beers in branded plastic cups with different designs related to Hellfest, which you can keep as a souvenir or bring back to reduce the purchase of the next beer by 1.5 euros – the cost of the cup itself. So, if the beer on the menu is 6 euros, and you don't have a cup, it will be 7.5 euros for you. The more cups you return, the cheaper the next beer or even free. There are sizes of 0.33 and 0.5. You can also buy a large pitcher for 1 liter, which is more cost-effective. Non-alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase, and the same cup purchase/return system applies to them.
There is an option to rent a power bank or even buy one for 20 euros if you forgot to bring your own. I shared a tent with a girl named Katya; she was well-prepared and brought a massive power bank that lasted her throughout the festival. Across the festival grounds, you can also find outlets, but of course, there are queues there as well, just like for buying/renting a power bank.
It's also advisable to get a good SIM card that provides internet access, as the Wi-Fi points at the festival are quite weak and can't handle the influx of people.
There are doctors on duty at the festival, and there are two medical stations. I turned to them myself when I made the mistake of wearing sandals. Blisters appeared, and with the constant dust in the covering, both in Easy Camp and in the campsite, the situation could easily worsen. The medical staff disinfected the blisters and applied a bandage. Unfortunately, they speak English quite poorly, but you can explain things even through Google Translate, just make sure you have internet access. I also asked volunteers in the Easy Camp area to help me with band-aids, and they kindly assisted by giving me a few band-aids from the ones they had for their volunteer team. People at Hellfest are very responsive and always willing to help! I also visited the medical station when I lost my voice, but they couldn't help me. They advised me to go outside the festival to the nearest pharmacy and buy throat lozenges there. So, unfortunately, they are not all-powerful, but rest assured, they won't let you die there. Due to the heat, someone faints almost every year, and the medical team arrives within a couple of minutes to provide assistance.
On the main square of Hell City, there are two enormous tents where they sell merchandise, vinyl, gothic goods, silver items, and more. The sellers are either labels or private vendors. It's better to stock up at the beginning of the festival since by the end, the availability of certain items noticeably dwindles. In these tents, you can pay with a card or cash. Prices are similar to online stores of the labels, and discounts are rare. Official merchandise brought by the bands is sold in a small tent on the field with the stages. In 2022, it was to the right of Main Stage 1. In 2023, they moved it closer to the Temple. The Temple or Sanctuary is a new addition. Normally, Hellfest's own merchandise could be found in the middle of the field in metal structures. This year, the organizers decided to build a huge Temple where the merch sale was organized and aesthetically pleasing. At the entrance, you are given a branded pen that you can keep and a catalog where, in anticipation, you could mark what you would buy and then make it easier for the seller. You can also try on T-shirts/hoodies/hats on the spot and examine everything before purchasing. Payment can also be made by card or bracelet. I decided to go on the first day when the bands had already started performing, but the queues were gigantic. I waited for two hours but bought everything I wanted.
In Hell City, there is its own tattoo salon, flagship stores like Dr. Martens, Gibson and more. On the field with the stages, there is a huge Ferris wheel that operates almost around the clock, costing 5 euros and offering a fairly long ride. It provides a breathtaking view of the entire festival, allowing you to witness the massive crowd in attendance.
Many attendees come with children, sometimes very young ones. For children under 12, admission is free. Parents comfortably enjoy the music with their kids, and no one looks unhappy; quite the opposite, children are happy, others find it endearing, and everyone is in a friendly mood.
The first bands start playing at 10-11 in the morning, and the last ones finish at 2-3 in the night. So, living in the camp is very convenient, as going to "bed" after spending a whole day in the infield is much easier than undertaking a journey back to Nantes or elsewhere. Each time, I planned to get up early to listen to some of the morning performers, but these plans were shattered by the desire to sleep an extra hour. Now, imagine if you stayed somewhere far away...
The festival has six stages. On two main stages, headliners play, those whose logos are prominently featured at the beginning of the lineup. The four smaller stages are divided based on the genres played:
- Altar - death metal and other subgenres.
- Temple - mainly black metal.
- Warzone - folk, punk, and hardcore.
- Valley - stoner, sludge, and so on.
Altar and Temple stages are located close to each other, but it doesn't interfere since the bands perform sequentially, similar to the main stages. All the small stages, except Warzone, are covered and look like huge tents, creating shade inside, which is a relief when it's incredibly hot/sunny outside.
On average, 150 bands manage to perform during the 4-day festival. In 2022, with seven days, there were 350 bands. Of course, you'll want to see as many bands as possible, thinking it's doable. It's almost possible, but the result may be fatigue by the evening and a challenging wake-up the next day. So, try to catch the key bands. However, two girls who stayed with me, coming from Siberia, Russia, went to the infield at 9 AM and returned after midnight. Heroes! :)
There are many bands, quite a few stages, and the schedule is quite dense it's very challenging to keep everything in mind. Organizers have created a mobile app available for download on the eve of the festival. You can find it on the App Store for Apple and Google Play for Android by searching for "Hellfest."
The app provides a list of bands, schedule, map, cashless features and reference information. It's also convenient to add favorite bands to your favorites, making it easier to track them in the schedule. Moreover, 15 minutes before a band starts, you receive a notification, "These guys will be performing soon, don't miss it." Notifications work even without internet access. On the festival grounds, you can also pick up free brochures with schedules and festival maps. To make orientation easier, large screens hang near the stage entrances, displaying what's happening inside and announcements about upcoming performances.
Most bands perform exactly at the scheduled time, which is convenient and aids in planning. If you want to listen to something from the front rows, it's necessary to arrive early about half an hour or an hour before. Additionally, if you have the courage, you can make your way to the stage during the performance, even if people are standing tightly, they often let you through, especially if you're a girl. :) Exceptions may be bands that haven't performed for a long time or global bands like Metallica, Kiss, Iron Maiden, etc. In those cases, it feels like everyone who's ever been to the festival is on the field. If you get tired of standing, you can always sit on the ground/grass/asphalt. Some even manage to nap on the field during the day if the space allows. Doing so at night is risky since people might not notice you in the dark, even if you're sitting among the crowd.
The sound at the festival is excellent; I haven't heard any complaints from people. The sound is quite loud, so many purchase earplugs or construction headphones to protect their hearing. Still, there are risk-takers for their hearing, of course.
Now, about safety. Everyone around is friendly, and no one tries to snatch your personal belongings. However, it's essential to stay vigilant, as there have been cases where phones were irretrievably stolen even from waist bags. In the camp, especially if it's not Easy Camp, it's better not to leave anything valuable: take money, phones and documents with you. Pack and hide everything else somehow and of course lock your tent. Thefts occurred in the regular camp area. I haven't heard of thefts in Easy Camp. Here's a personal piece of advice: consider getting a waist bag and wear it in front of you on your chest. Don't leave anything valuable in pockets, especially back pockets. If you have something ultra-valuable like cameras, it's better to leave them in lockers. At night, place the bag under your pillow and somehow secure/close it with locks. I've heard about merchandise theft from tents in the regular camp, but again, this wasn't an issue in Easy Camp. In case you lose something, you can go to the Lost & Found kiosk and if they can't help, you can contact the Clisson police, as found items are taken there.
Be prepared; this isn't a five-star journey, and you'll need to embrace some discomfort. There are always queues everywhere: for toilets, showers, merchandise, food court, alcohol, entrance, exit from the stage field and so on. The closer it gets to the end of the festival, the more people there will be. Organizers try to ease the queues as much as they can to increase throughput, but it doesn't entirely solve the queue problem.
You can always find alternatives like buying everything at "Leclerc," but you have to get there, store it somewhere in the heat, and you can't bring it onto the festival grounds.
The weather is typically scorching, around 30 degrees Celsius and sometimes exceeding 40, as in 2022. However, there are exceptions, like the last day of the 2023 festival. There was even a kind of tropical rain; sand and grass turned into mud. It was slippery, but bearable. The organizers promptly tried to establish main pathways to minimize people getting dirty or falling. Always be prepared: bring a raincoat, and if possible, rubber boots it's never a bad idea.
Also, take care of warm clothing if you get cold easily or simply find a good sleeping bag that will keep you warm during chilly nights. Honestly, even two sleeping bags were not enough for me in a cardboard tent in 2022.
Be prepared to walk a lot, as the distance from point to point is not small. Every day I clocked around 20,000 steps or more, by the evening, my legs were always burning, my back hurt and it was even challenging to get up in the morning. Each day your body will feel lighter, but the first day is always tough.
The dust I mentioned earlier is always present due to people constantly moving around, so it will be everywhere from your nose and mouth to your beer. Some wear keffiyehs, while others use special scarves to breathe in less dust. Also, be cautious with white clothing as it quickly changes color due to the dust.
Let's talk about the must-have list of things to take with you before heading to Hellfest:
- Headgear: to protect yourself from sunstroke and prevent your face from getting sunburned. Avoid being like me, who walks around with a towel on the head throughout the festival. 😄
- Good sunscreen SPF 50+: sunburn can happen incredibly fast. Remember to apply it to your face, hands and all exposed body parts.
- Hand sanitizer: useful if you forget to wash your hands or if you plan to eat something and the handwashing station is far away.
- Foldable water bottle/flask – you'll use it to fill up with refreshing water. Stay hydrated during the festival due to the dehydration caused by the heat.
- Waist bag: for storing important and valuable items.
- Earplugs if you are sensitive to loud sounds.
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes. I wear my leather indestructible sneakers for all festivals, which have withstood fire, water, and copper pipes. Some people bring shoes they don't mind disposing of afterward.
- Solar-powered power bank, as there are always lines for charging sockets.
- First aid kit with your necessary medications, as medications in France can be expensive, and the nearest pharmacy is outside the festival, a 15-minute walk away. If you start feeling unwell, attempting that trip might be challenging.
A classic first aid kit might include:
- Plenty of adhesive bandages.
- Something for disinfection.
- Relief for a sore throat and nasal congestion.
- Headache remedy.
- Solution for indigestion.
- Fever-reducing medication.
- Something for a hangover. 😄
I hope this article helps you be prepared for anything and not get lost in a challenging situation or new environment, especially if it's your first time attending such a festival. Unfortunately, neither photos nor this article can fully convey the atmosphere of these five days it needs to be experienced. On the last day, you might feel like crying, not wanting to leave. These indescribable feelings will make you want to come back after experiencing it once, turning it into an annual tradition, regardless of the lineup and weather. A special thanks to the Vizit Travel team for helping so many people go through this experience and turn dreams into reality. See you next year!
Thank you so much for the report - Elena!
