Fort Metal Fest
Metal festival at the Fort du Cognelot in Chalindrey
About Fort Metal Fest
The Fort Metal Fest is a metal festival organized annually at the Fort du Cognelot in Chalindrey, Haute-Marne. Driven by the association Haute-Marne's Metal Heads (HMMH), it has been bringing together fans of extreme music in a 19th-century military fort on the Langres plateau since 2018. Each edition features a day of concerts with six bands, from heavy to death metal, along with stands, tattoo artists, craftspeople, and food vendors. Entirely volunteer-run and independent, the festival reached 400 attendees in 2025.
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Metal Resonates Within the Fortifications
Nestled atop Fort Vercingétorix, also known as Fort du Cognelot, a military structure built between 1874 and 1877 as part of the fortified belt of Langres, Fort Metal Fest offers a unique setting for an extreme music festival. This 39-hectare fort, located at an altitude of 470 meters southeast of Chalindrey, provides a historic and natural backdrop that gives the festival a singular atmosphere, blending military heritage with the raw energy of metal.
An Associative Adventure Since 2018
Fort Metal Fest was born in 2018 from the desire of metal enthusiasts from Haute-Marne, united within the association Haute-Marne's Metal Heads (HMMH), presided over by Éric Goncalvès. The first editions were held at Fort de la Pointe de Diamant in Saint-Ciergues, before the festival moved in 2024 to Fort du Cognelot in Chalindrey, with logistical support from the community of communes des Savoir-Faire. This move marked a turning point: attendance tripled in the second year at this new location, reaching approximately 400 festival-goers in 2025.
Six Bands, One Day, One Fort
The concept of Fort Metal Fest is simple and effective: six bands perform on a single stage throughout an intense day, from mid-afternoon until late evening. The lineup explores the different facets of metal — heavy metal, death metal, thrash metal, punk metal — by mixing national headliners and emerging bands. The 2025 edition notably featured Loudblast (death metal from Lille, 40 years of career), Carcariass (melodic death metal from Toulouse), Tentation, Les Compagnons du Gras Jambon, Voorhees, and Warfaith.
Much More Than a Music Festival
Beyond the concerts, Fort Metal Fest offers a true festive village with band merchandise stands, tattoo artists, jewelers, record sellers, and local artisans. The food offerings highlight barbecue and local beers, in a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere. With about ten board members and fifty volunteers on the day, the HMMH association partly finances the festival through year-round activities, such as selling snails and oysters at the Christmas market in Humes-Jorquenay.
Fort Metal Fest has established itself as a must-attend event on the metal scene in Haute-Marne and the Grand Est region, driven by values of sharing, conviviality, and the promotion of metal culture, far from the clichés associated with extreme music.
Fort Metal Fest — edition 2026
6th edition of Fort Metal Fest at Fort du Cognelot in Chalindrey. A day of metal concerts with six bands expected on the single stage of the 19th-century military fort. Lineup to be announced.
6th Edition: Fort Metal Fest Continues Its Ascent
Fort Metal Fest returns on Saturday, June 13, 2026, to the Fort du Cognelot in Chalindrey for its 6th edition. Following the resounding success of the 2025 edition, which saw attendance triple, the Haute-Marne's Metal Heads association is preparing another intense day of metal within the fortifications of the Langres plateau.
As every year, six bands will perform on the fort's single stage, exploring the various facets of metal. The full lineup will be announced in the months leading up to the event. Camping, food, merchandise stands, tattoo artists, and artisans will once again be present for this edition, which promises to be the festival's most ambitious yet.
Highlights Fort Metal Fest 2026
- 6th edition of the festival
- 6 bands expected on the single stage at Fort du Cognelot
- Camping allowed on the fort grounds
- Merchandise stands, tattoo artists, artisans, and food vendors
- Lineup to be announced
Practical information — Fort Metal Fest
Access
Fort Metal Fest takes place at Fort du Cognelot (Fort Vercingétorix), D51, 52600 Chalindrey, in Haute-Marne. The site is located on the Langres plateau, at an altitude of about 470 meters. From the A31 motorway, take the Langres-Sud exit and follow signs for Chalindrey. Signage is provided on festival days. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.
Parking
Free parking is available in the immediate vicinity of the fort. Vehicles of all sizes are accepted (cars, motorcycles, vans). Access to the site from the parking lot is easy and on level ground.
Camping
Camping is permitted on the fort grounds. The bivouac area opens at 3:00 PM. Only tents are allowed in the camping area. Please note: there is no electricity available at the campsite. Bring warm clothing for the night, as temperatures can be cool on the Langres plateau in June.
Schedule
Bivouac opening: 3:00 PM. Doors open: 4:00 PM. Concerts start: 5:00 PM. The six bands perform one after another until late evening on a single stage.
Ticketing
Tickets are available online at HelloAsso and BAM Ticket. 2025 prices: €20 for adults, €15 for under 20s, free for under 10s. Tickets are also available on-site on the day of the festival (subject to availability).
Food and Drink
Food stalls are set up on site: barbecue, fries, crêpes, and other specialties. The bar offers local beers and cold drinks. Remember to bring your own reusable cup or buy one on site.
Activities and Stands
In addition to the concerts, the festival hosts band merchandise stands, a tattoo artist, jewelers, record sellers (CDs, vinyls, t-shirts), and local artisans. Surprises are planned for each edition.
Accessibility
The Fort du Cognelot site is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Access is on level ground from the parking lot to the concert area.
Miscellaneous Information
Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Animals are not allowed on the festival site. In case of adverse weather conditions, the festival will proceed (bring rain gear). For any questions, contact the HMMH association by email at [email protected] or by phone at 06 72 89 41 94.
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Fort Metal Fest
Fort du Cognelot (Fort Vercingétorix)
Fort du Cognelot, D51, 52600 Chalindrey