Cantal Ink - International Tattoo Festival

ℹ️ 2026 edition unconfirmed — festival on hold since 2017. At the time of our editorial verification (May 2026), no public source (official website, Chaudes-Aigues town hall, local press, 2026 tattoo convention calendars such as worldtattooevents.com, whatmytattoo.com or evous.fr) announces a 2026 edition of Cantal Ink. The last documented edition was the 5th, held on July 1st and 2nd, 2017. If a new edition were to be organized, please do not hesitate to inform us via the modification form.

A unique tattoo festival in the heart of a thermal spa town

Cantal Ink was much more than a simple tattoo convention: it was a true festival that every summer transformed the small thermal village of Chaudes-Aigues into the international capital of tattoo art. Nestled in the heart of Cantal, near the Aubrac plateau, this village of less than 1,000 inhabitants is famous for housing the Source du Par, Europe's hottest hot spring (82°C). It was in this exceptional setting that an extraordinary event took place between 2013 and 2017, at the crossroads of body art and Auvergne's thermal heritage.

The history of an artistic adventure

The festival was founded by Stéphane Chaudesaigues, an internationally renowned realist tattoo artist and a native of the village, who wanted to bring together the biggest names in global tattooing in his hometown. The first edition, in July 2013, immediately met with resounding success, attracting over 10,000 visitors. Five editions followed: 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 (the 2015 edition having been replaced by the "Tatouage au Village" event). In total, these editions welcomed nearly 50,000 people and legendary artists such as Nikko Hurtado, Hannah Aitchison, Jeff Gogue, Shane O'Neill, Honda Tsuyoshi, and Joshua Carlton.

An eclectic and family-friendly program

Cantal Ink adapted the codes of a classic tattoo convention in the manner of a festival, open to everyone, from novices to confirmed enthusiasts. The program usually offered:

• More than 140 tattoo artists from 26 different nationalities, set up at the Gymnase de l'Enclos and the Graphicaderme studio, where the public could get tattooed live
• Tattoo contests rewarding the best creations in different categories
• Live concerts mixing rock, punk, soul, electro, and world music
• Burlesque shows and pin-up parades
• Cantal Wheels, an event dedicated to bikers with exhibitions, globe of death, and a motorcycle parts swap meet
• Conferences and seminars on the history and sociology of tattooing

Chaudes-Aigues: a natural and thermal setting

The choice of Chaudes-Aigues as the festival location was not insignificant. This thermal commune, situated at an altitude of approximately 750 meters in the narrow Remontalou valley, offers a preserved natural setting and a unique atmosphere. The Caladea thermoludic center, the village's geothermal heritage, and Cantalian gastronomy enriched visitors' experience.

The end of an adventure

After the 5th edition in July 2017, the organizer publicly mentioned the uncertainty of continuing, due to a lack of support and subsidies. The festival has not had a new documented edition since then. No official announcement of a resumption has been identified for 2026. Tattoo enthusiasts can turn to other French conventions (Mondial du Tatouage in Paris, Salon International du Tatouage in Marseille, etc.) or follow the news of founder Stéphane Chaudesaigues for any potential announcements.