Fort Metal Fest
Metal festival at Fort du Cognelot in Chalindrey
About Fort Metal Fest
The Fort Metal Fest is a metal festival organized annually at Fort du Cognelot in Chalindrey, Haute-Marne. Supported by the Haute-Marne's Metal Heads (HMMH) association, it has brought together extreme music enthusiasts since 2018 in a 19th-century military fort on the Langres plateau. Each edition offers a day of concerts with several bands, from heavy to death metal, including folk metal, accompanied by stands, tattoo artists, artisans, and food. Entirely volunteer-run and independent, the festival reached approximately 400 attendees in 2025 and is expanding to 8 confirmed bands for its 2026 edition.
Metal Resonates Within the Fortifications
Nestled at the summit of Fort Vercingétorix, also known as Fort du Cognelot, a military structure built between 1874 and 1877 as part of the fortified belt of Langres, the 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
The Fort Metal Fest was born in 2018 from the desire of metal enthusiasts from Haute-Marne, gathered within the Haute-Marne's Metal Heads (HMMH) association, chaired 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 the logistical support of the Communauté de communes des Savoir-Faire. This relocation marked a turning point: attendance tripled from the second year at this new site, reaching approximately 400 festival-goers in 2025.
One Day, One Fort, Several Bands
The concept of the Fort Metal Fest is simple and effective: several bands perform consecutively on a single stage during an intense day, from mid-afternoon until late evening. The program explores different facets of metal — heavy metal, death metal, thrash metal, folk metal, symphonic metal — mixing national headliners and emerging bands. The 2025 edition notably hosted Loudblast (Lille death metal, 40-year career), Carcariass (Toulouse melodic death metal), Tentation, Les Compagnons du Gras Jambon, Voorhees, and Warfaith. The 2026 edition, on June 13, steps up a notch with 8 confirmed bands including Sidilarsen and Boisson Divine, complemented by the winner of the 2026 springboard competition.
Much More Than a Music Festival
Beyond the concerts, the Fort Metal Fest offers a true festive village with band merchandise stalls, tattoo artists, jewelers, record dealers, and local artisans. Food options highlight barbecue and local beers, in a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere. With about ten board members and fifty volunteers on the day of the event, the HMMH association partly finances the festival through activities throughout the year, such as selling snails and oysters at the Humes-Jorquenay Christmas market.
The Fort Metal Fest has established itself as an unmissable 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 the Fort Metal Fest, on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Fort du Cognelot in Chalindrey (Haute-Marne). Eight metal bands announced on the unique stage of the parade ground of the 19th-century military fort: Sidilarsen, Boisson Divine, Jiro, Death Decline, Insomnia, Disfuneral, Asilium, and Demontool, complemented by the winner of the 2026 springboard competition.
2026 Edition: Eight Bands and a Springboard Competition Winner
The Fort Metal Fest returns on Saturday, June 13, 2026, to Fort du Cognelot, in Chalindrey, for its 6th edition. This year, the Haute-Marne's Metal Heads (HMMH) association presents a packed lineup with eight confirmed bands, complemented by the winner of the springboard competition organized prior to the festival.
A Multi-Style Lineup
The 2026 edition explores several facets of metal, from festive alternative metal to death metal, passing through folk metal and symphonic metal:
- Sidilarsen — headliner, French alternative / industrial metal (Toulouse)
- Boisson Divine — Gascon folk metal
- Jiro — alternative metal
- Death Decline — melodic death metal
- Insomnia — symphonic metal
- Disfuneral — old school death metal
- Asilium — French symphonic metal
- Demontool — metal
- + the winner of the Fort Metal Fest 2026 springboard competition
At the Fort Site
As every year, the parade ground of Fort du Cognelot hosts the festival's unique stage, in a unique heritage setting in Haute-Marne. Bivouac is authorized on site (opening at 2 PM on Saturday, camping closes at 11 AM on Sunday, June 14). On-site catering, band merchandising stalls, CD/vinyl sales, t-shirts, and local artisan stalls complete the experience.
Programme Fort Metal Fest 2026
Saturday, June 13, 2026
- 2:00 PM — Bivouac opening (camping allowed)
- 3:00 PM — Festival gates open
- Continuous concerts on the unique stage of the parade ground: Sidilarsen · Boisson Divine · Jiro · Death Decline · Insomnia · Disfuneral · Asilium · Demontool · winner of the 2026 springboard competition
Sunday, June 14, 2026
- 11:00 AM — Camping closes / end of festival
Precise timings per band to be confirmed by the organizer in the weeks leading up to the event.
Highlights Fort Metal Fest 2026
- 6th edition at Fort du Cognelot, a 19th-century military fort
- 8 confirmed bands + the winner of the 2026 springboard competition
- Headliner: Sidilarsen (alternative metal)
- Gascon folk metal with Boisson Divine
- Camping allowed on the fort site
- Catering, merchandising stalls, CD/vinyls, local artisans
Prices Fort Metal Fest 2026
Practical information — Fort Metal Fest
Access
The 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 approximately 470 meters. From the A31 motorway, take the Langres-Sud exit and follow signs for Chalindrey. Signage will be in place on festival days. Carpooling is highly encouraged.
Parking
Free parking is available immediately next to the fort. Vehicles of all sizes are accepted (cars, motorcycles, vans). Access to the site from the parking lot is easy and level.
Camping
Camping is permitted on the fort grounds. For the 2026 edition, the bivouac area opens at 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 13, and the campsite closes on Sunday, June 14, at 11:00 AM. 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.
2026 Edition Schedule
- 2:00 PM: bivouac opens
- 3:00 PM: festival gates open
- Continuous concerts on the single stage until late evening
- Sunday 11:00 AM: campsite closes
Ticketing
Tickets are available online on HelloAsso (official ticketing for the HMMH association). 2026 edition prices:
- Presale (until June 8): €27 — includes access to parking and camping
- Reduced price: €25 — limited to 50 tickets
- On-site on the day: €30
- Children 10-15 years old: €20
- Under 10 years old: free (under parental responsibility)
Food and Bar
Food stalls are set up on site: barbecue, fries, crepes, and other specialties. The bar offers local beers and cold drinks. Remember to bring your ecocup or buy one on site.
Entertainment and Stands
In addition to concerts, the festival hosts band merchandise stalls, a tattoo artist, jewelers, record dealers (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 level 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 unfavorable 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.
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Where does it take place — Fort Metal Fest
Fort du Cognelot (Fort Vercingétorix)
Fort du Cognelot, D51, 52600 Chalindrey