What to pack for Hellfest Open Air?
Most first-timers at Hellfest arrive prepared for the music and leave surprised by everything else: the mud that swallows sneakers after a single shower, the 15-degree temperature swing between a scorching afternoon and a midnight exit, the mobile blackout that splits friend groups for hours, and the sheer physical toll of walking several kilometres on uneven ground while absorbing twelve straight hours of extreme decibels.
In short, what catches you out here
- Le terrain herbeux devient boueux et glissant dès les premières averses, transformant les allées en patinoire et ruinant les chaussures ordinaires.
- Les scènes sont éloignées les unes des autres sur un vaste site ; les festivaliers marchent plusieurs kilomètres au fil de la journée sur un sol inégal et encombré.
- Les concerts s'enchaînent de midi à plus de minuit, soit plus de 12 heures d'exposition aux décibels, particulièrement intenses dans les fosses devant les grosses scènes.
Why this list?
The site is enormous, shadeless in places, and packs up to 60,000 people a day — which means every water point, food stand and exit becomes a bottleneck at the worst possible moment. This list is built around those specific friction points, not the obvious ones. You already know to bring your ticket and a phone charger. What this list focuses on is what experienced festivalgoers learned the hard way on their first visit to Clisson.
✔To do before you leave
Your countdown: every action at the right time, from furthest ahead to departure day.
- Le réseau saturé rend l'accès à l'application quasi impossible aux heures de pointe ; avoir le planning en capture d'écran garantit de ne rater aucun concert.
- Les sorties concentrent 60 000 personnes simultanément en fin de nuit ; partir 20 minutes avant la fin du dernier set évite 1 à 2 heures d'attente au parking ou à la navette.
✔The essentials
Without these, the trip is compromised. Don't forget them.
- Le réseau mobile s'effondre aux moments de pointe, rendant impossible tout appel ou SMS ; un plan de rendez-vous physique évite de perdre son groupe plusieurs heures.
- Les scènes produisent des niveaux sonores extrêmes pendant plus de 12 heures consécutives ; sans protection, les acouphènes post-concert durent plusieurs jours.
- Le terrain herbeux vire rapidement à la boue après une averse ; des chaussures ordinaires deviennent inutilisables et la marche sur plusieurs kilomètres devient dangereuse.
- Dans les fosses et la foule dense, les poches et sacs à dos sont inaccessibles et exposés ; regrouper les essentiels en ceinture ventrale sécurise les objets de valeur.
✔Nice-to-haves
Not vital, but noticeably more comfortable with them.
- Dans les fosses denses, les bousculades et piétinements répétés écrasent les pieds et abîment les chevilles ; une protection basse réduit les hématomes en fin de journée.
- Le réseau saturé force le téléphone à chercher constamment du signal, vidant la batterie bien avant la fin du concert ; l'application du festival consomme en continu pour les horaires.
- La température dégringole de 10 à 15°C entre l'après-midi et minuit ; sans couche chaude, le retour tardif devient éprouvant, surtout si la pluie s'invite.
- Plusieurs kilomètres de marche sur un sol irrégulier et parfois boueux génèrent des ampoules dès le milieu de la journée, particulièrement dans des chaussures mouillées.
- Les averses soudaines sur le site trempent les affaires en quelques minutes ; un téléphone ou une batterie mouillés compromettent la journée entière.
- Les files aux points d'eau et stands de boisson dépassent 20 minutes aux heures de pointe ; une gourde évite de rester sans eau pendant les longs sets.
- Les files aux stands de nourriture dépassent 20 à 30 minutes ; entre deux concerts éloignés, ne pas manger pendant 4 à 5 heures épuise rapidement.
✔Weather & season
Adjust to the time of year and forecast for your trip.
- Les files d'attente entre scènes s'étirent 30 à 40 minutes à découvert en plein soleil de fin juin, sans aucune zone d'ombre sur la majeure partie du site.
- Le site offre peu d'ombre naturelle en milieu de journée ; une protection de tête réduit la fatigue liée à l'exposition solaire sur plusieurs heures de déambulation.
✔ My own items
Create an account to save your lists and find them on all your devices.
- Every checklist you generate, kept and available anytime
- On your phone as well as your computer
- Your ticks picked up right where you left them
✔ Good to know
- Load your cashless wristband before you arrive: it's the only way to pay at food, drink, and merch stalls on site. You can top it up online at cashless.hellfest.fr or via the official app, or head to a cashless bank point on-site with your card or cash. source
- Keep a little cash handy for a few spots: cashless wristbands are not accepted at the Extreme Market, the lockers, or mobile charging stations — those require a separate payment method. source
- Go for a compact bag: bags over 10 litres are commonly turned away at the festival entrance, so a small daypack or belt bag works best. source
- Book your locker in advance if you want secure storage: automated pin-code lockers (with optional USB charging) are available inside the Metal Corner via the partner site Mobile Locker, and sizes sell out ahead of the event. source
- Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes: the grounds can be dusty, muddy, or slick with spilled drinks — boots or solid trainers will serve you far better than sandals or heels. source
- Download the official Hellfest app before heading to Clisson: it lets you manage your cashless balance, browse the running order, and access the site map even with limited connectivity on the grounds. source
- Selfie stick / tripod — Camera accessories like selfie sticks, tripods, and similar extenders are on the festival's list of items likely to be refused at the gate — a standard phone grip is all you'll need.
- Drone — Drones and aerial devices are likely to be turned away at the entrance alongside other large camera equipment — leave yours at home to avoid losing it at security.
- Glass or capped plastic bottle — Glass bottles and plastic bottles with caps are among the items commonly refused at the entrance — a reusable soft flask or an empty hard-sided bottle without a cap tends to pass through more smoothly.
- Folding chair — Folding chairs are among the items typically turned away at the festival perimeter — the crowd density around stages makes them impractical and they're flagged in the festival's access rules.
- Large rolling suitcase — The on-site lockers are compact (designed for day-bags and valuables), so a big wheeled case will have nowhere to go — pack your daily essentials in a small bag and leave luggage at your accommodation.
Hellfest Open Air official website
✔ Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Hellfest and where do you park?
The festival is held on the outskirts of Clisson, about 30 km south of Nantes. Dedicated paid parking areas surround the site and shuttle buses run from Clisson train station, which is served by direct trains from Nantes. Arriving early in the morning and leaving slightly before the last headliner finishes makes a significant difference: the exit rush after midnight can add over an hour to your journey. Carpooling and shuttle options are usually detailed on the official website closer to the event.
Do you need to book Hellfest tickets in advance and are day tickets available?
Hellfest sells out well in advance — often within hours of tickets going on sale in the preceding autumn or winter. Day tickets are sometimes available but full-festival passes tend to disappear first. There is no on-the-door sale; arriving without a valid ticket means you will not get in. If you have a ticket, make sure you understand how it is validated (wristband collection, app-based QR code, etc.) before travelling to the site.
What should you wear and which shoes are best for Hellfest?
Waterproof footwear is the single most important choice: the grass site turns to deep mud after rain and ordinary trainers become unusable within minutes. Rubber boots or waterproof hiking shoes are what experienced Hellfest attendees swear by. Dress in layers — temperatures can reach 26–28°C at midday but drop sharply after sunset, and you will still be on site at midnight. A packable waterproof jacket that fits in your bag is worth its weight regardless of the forecast.
Is hearing protection really necessary at Hellfest, even if you are not in the front row?
Yes — the main stages produce sustained sound levels that are damaging over a full day even at a distance. High-fidelity earplugs, designed for concerts, reduce volume without killing the music experience. Many regular festival-goers keep a pair on a keyring so they are always available; foam earplugs from a pharmacy are a cheaper fallback but muffle the sound more noticeably.