Forestival

An eco-festival in the heart of the Yonne

Driven since its origins by the ACPEE — Association Culturelle des Petits Escargots Écolos, Forestival is much more than just a music festival: it is an intergenerational popular celebration rooted in its territory. Held every late August at the natural site of the Baignade de Brienon-sur-Armançon, on the banks of the Armançon river, the festival offers an enchanting setting where culture, conviviality, and ecology combine harmoniously.

ACPEE, founded by residents passionate about culture and nature, has defended a militant vision of celebration since its creation: accessible to all, respectful of the environment, and resolutely focused on local and independent creation. It is this philosophy that gave birth to Forestival, a true laboratory of alternative culture in Centre-Yonne.

An eclectic and ambitious program

Forestival stands out for its deliberately broad and borderless artistic line. Over two evenings, the main stage hosts bands playing reggae, dub, alternative rock, rap, French chanson, techno, electro, and ska-punk. A secondary techno stage, a true underground temple, extends the festivities late into the night for electronic music lovers.

Over the years, the festival has showcased or hosted artists as diverse as Hippocampe Fou (rap), Johnny Mafia (garage rock), Dub Silence (electronic dub), Beer Beer Orchestra (ska-punk), Maltavern (Celtic rock), Feuilles de Roots (reggae), and Grayssoker (accordion techno). The mix of styles and generations is the festival's strong identity marker.

Street arts, live performance, and activities

Music is only one facet of Forestival. In the afternoon, before the concerts kick off, the site comes alive with activities for young and old: fire-breather shows, skateboard demonstrations, murals by graffiti artists, art exhibitions, creative workshops, and second-hand and local craft stalls. Theater companies and storytellers occupy the green spaces to offer shows suitable for young children.

Each edition is built around a theme reflected in the scenography, decorations, and activities. The 7th edition in 2025 transformed the swimming area into an "ancient temple dedicated to music, nature, and collective joy", with ancient columns, Dionysian vines, and mystical lights creating a unique and exotic atmosphere.

Eco-responsibility at the heart of the project

True to the values of its founding association, Forestival places eco-responsibility at the center of its organization. The bar exclusively offers local drinks — craft beers, ciders, wines from the Yonne — in a zero-waste approach. Food focuses on fresh, local products: homemade fries, pork spit, vegetarian options. Reusable cups and waste collection are integral parts of the system.

ACPEE also organizes regular Cleanwalks in the Brienon-sur-Armançon area and conducts quarterly waste collections for residents with reduced mobility. The festival is part of this broader civic initiative, raising public awareness about protecting the natural environment in which it takes place.

A festival accessible to all

Since its inception, Forestival has maintained a deliberately low pricing policy to remain accessible to as many people as possible. Camping is free on-site, and children under 15 enter for free when accompanied by an adult. Ticket prices, well below the average for equivalent festivals, reflect the organizers' desire to make this event an open celebration for all families and all backgrounds.

In seven editions, Forestival has established itself as an essential event in the cultural life of Centre-Yonne, attracting a loyal audience from across the department and neighboring regions. It also serves as a vector for tourism in Brienon-sur-Armançon and the Serein et Armance community of communes.