Grilled meats, homemade jam, friends for life… This Clisson resident welcomes 20 festival-goers to his home

Philippe Douillard is a resident of Clisson whose life is closely linked to Hellfest. Since 2014, this volunteer has welcomed around twenty festival-goers into his house and garden each year, thus creating a real family of hearts around the event.

Philou is Philippe Douillard, 60 years old, in a relationship with Géraldine, nicknamed “Hellfest mom” by festival-goers. Philippe is a native of the country who lives in Clisson, a small town of 7,500 inhabitants normally, 240,000 visitors during the festival

At the very beginning, in 2006, the 22,000 spectators were not yet looking for a place to sleep at all costs.

This horde of black-clad men did not yet reassure the inhabitants of Clisson. But quite quickly, as the editions continued and grew, many inhabitants like Philippe got into the game, and decided to welcome these merry pranksters with their false threatening appearance.

From the very first editions, Philippe’s father, then aged 80, had not hesitated to open his garden to these forty- and fifty-somethings. These fathers and mothers who seek to pitch their tent in order to recover from a saving sleep, inundated with music for a whole day.

He who had managed at the Clisson football club a young kid under 15 with the sweet name of Benjamin Barbaud, could not do anything other than invest in the festival that the latter had created.

So it was in 2014, after having done a bit of volunteer work for the festival, that our local Philou took the step of welcoming people.

The first time went really well, the confidence was such that I could only continue

Philippe knew nothing about this music. He had been brought up on rock and disco, dancing in a local nightclub, known nationally thanks to Philippe Katerine’s hit: Le Louxor.

But by hanging around these metal aficionados, he began to appreciate their music. And like an echo, he also quickly loved those who listened to him.

For 9 years, its two rooms and its 2,500 m² grounds have become a haven of happiness for the twenty festival-goers it welcomes. The tents are sheltered from the heat under the trees and good humor is always in order.

The only bathroom in the house is always full from morning to evening, but no need for planning, everyone meets there, in a joyful collective turnover, and depending on when everyone wakes up.

Philippe’s house is also a bit like theirs, trust is so high that he leaves the keys available.

Every year, Philou wants to bring together his festival friends. Like a tribal ritual, they meet on Saturday lunchtime around a huge grill in the garden. Everyone brings some good food from home, for a feast.

For some time now, it’s always the same regulars who come back every year. They are between 30 and 50 years old. The age difference doesn’t prevent sharing, and especially Philippe’s homemade jam. Here everything breathes happiness and joy of life.

Over time, whether they are from Dunkirk, Brittany or Eure-et-Loire, they have become more than “friends for a day,” they are now friends.

Since 2022, during the double edition, a messenger group the “Dourie Crew” has been created in order to stay in touch throughout the year.

Last April, Philippe and Géraldine left their town to join one of the couples who usually camp at their home. Direction Bergue in the North. The links are such that they even met their parents in Dordogne. A real family has been created, weaving human and musical bonds that transcend the boundaries of the festival.

And speaking of family, Philippe has since involved his son in volunteering at the festival. Clissonnais from father to son, but also Hellmembers from father to son. A lineage that goes beyond the family framework in a long shared guttural song.

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