St Waudru Procession: Doudou Tunes, Procession of the Golden Carriage and Battle of the Lumeçon

The procession of the Golden Carriage is 656 years old.

On Sunday, from 9.45 am until noon, a procession that was once religious and is now historical, sets off from the Collegiate Church of St Waudru and crosses the streets of Mons. The procession's history dates back to the time when an outbreak of the Plague was arrested thanks to the prayers that the people of Mons addressed to St Waudru. The sumptuous Golden Carriage at the end of the cortege carries the reliquaries of the Saint. After the procession, at about 12.30 pm, an enormous crowd gathers in the main square of Mons to the tune of the Doudou (the typical song for this festival) to watch St George on horseback fighting and slaying the dragon. This medieval performance clearly symbolises Good triumphing over Evil.

The Doudou takes place on Sunday but the festivities start on the previous Thursday and end on the following Wednesday

Petit Lumeçon on 26 June

The Ducasse of Mons has been recognised as Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO

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