Kave Fest

Kave Fest: Metal Takes Over Gisors Castle

Kave Fest is a rock and metal festival held every summer at the foot of Gisors Castle, an emblematic medieval fortress in the Vexin region of Normandy. Created in 2016 by a group of passionate friends in a garden in Chatou, the festival has grown remarkably to be held since 2022 in this exceptional historic setting in the Eure department.

A Unique Setting for Metal

Gisors Castle, with its ramparts and 12th-century keep, offers a spectacular and unusual backdrop for a metal festival. The stage is set at the foot of the walls, creating a unique atmosphere where the energy of electric guitars blends with the majesty of medieval stone. The festival has found a perfect balance in this location between its intimate setting, proximity to the audience, and a demanding lineup.

An Ambitious International Lineup

Over three days, Kave Fest presents a lineup that mixes international headliners and promising discoveries. The genres represented cover the entire spectrum of heavy music: progressive metal, death metal, post-hardcore, metalcore, folk metal, and alternative rock. In 2024, bands like Septicflesh, Alpha Wolf, Novelists, and Plini electrified the stage. The 2025 edition hosted Coheed and Cambria, Ensiferum, Boston Manor, Klone, and Eihwar.

A Human-Sized Festival

Kave Fest cultivates a warm and family-friendly atmosphere that sets it apart from larger metal festivals. The reduced size of the site encourages interaction between festival-goers and artists. Camping is available on-site (limited spaces), along with various food stalls and parking. The festival's original spirit—a celebration among friends around music—remains at the heart of every edition.

Norman Roots

Since its establishment in Gisors in 2022, Kave Fest has actively contributed to the cultural influence of the Vexin region of Normandy and the Eure department. The festival is supported by local authorities and Norman tourism, who see it as a unifying and attractive event for the area.