defaultA genuine tradition in northern France, Belgium and Catalonia, a Géant is a structure carried by a person (or carried on a cart), representing a historical, legendary, rural or imaginary character.
They appear at ducasses, cavalcades, carnivals and community festivals, accompanied by music, dance and confetti.
There are just over 132 in the Lille European Metropolis , covering 95 municipalities.
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Histoire Ptite Chorchire Et Grande Gueuloute Archiches Geants CominesThey’re made of wood, canvas, rattan… and yet they walk among us. They often weigh more than 100 kilos, dance in village squares, bear the names Jacques, Léon, Françoise… and live in the hearts of the local people.
The Giants are the benevolent guardians of Flemish memory, and their history goes back several centuries.
It all began in the Middle Ages, during religious processions. They were erected to recount the great biblical scenes, to impress the crowds and to stir the imagination. Then, over the centuries, these colossuses moved out of the churches and into the squares. They were stripped of their halo, but not of their aura: the giants became popular figures, symbols of a village, a trade, a local legend. The weaver of Halluin, the washerwoman of Quesnoy-sur-Deûle, the farmer of Fromelles or the king of beer in Armentières… Each of them embodies a fragment of history. And each town watches over its giants as if they were living treasures. A giant is a hand-carved face, clothes sewn by the village seamstresses, a wooden frame carried on the shoulders by a seasoned volunteer. Carrying a giant is an honour. Making him dance is an art. Creating one is an act of love for your town. They have lived through the centuries, survived the Revolution, slept through the wars. But they have always come back. Stronger, more beautiful, more numerous. They are baptised, celebrated and sometimes married. They have their health record, their song, their band of musicians. They don’t speak, but they tell the story of centuries of history, of shared joys, of daily struggles, of memories woven over time.
So the next time you come across one of them, look up. Look at their steady, gentle gaze. Listen to the drum beat. And above all… join in.
Geants Lille Suite Les Amis Des Geants De LileEach Giant is unique. His head is often moulded in resin or pasteboard, his body formed around a light frame, his clothes sewn by volunteers. They can be carried by a single person or mounted on a float. Some are articulated, others dance. All are made out of love for our heritage.
Geante Alys De Comines Montage
Geante Alys De Comines
Seclin 1
Seclin 2 Les Amis Des Geants De Seclin1. 👶The youngest: Petit Jules – Bondues Born in 2023, Petit Jules completes the giant Bondues family with a healthy dose of tenderness. 💬 “He’s a mini-giant, but already a great source of pride for the children of Bondues.”
2. 👑 The noblest: Jacques & Françoise de Luxembourg – Armentières Inspired by a historic lineage, these giant brother and sister are the stars of the Fête des Nieulles, an emblematic celebration since the 16th century. 🕊️ Carried by hand, they are a reminder of the medieval history and prestige of Armentières.
3 🧵 The most textile: Jacques le Tisserand – Halluin A tribute to the trades of yesteryear, it symbolises an entire working-class tradition in the North. Always dressed like a craftsman proud of his trade, he embodies Halluin’s industrial past.
4 🎺 The most melodious: Léon le Violoniste – Wambrechies Between two notes, Léon leads the parade like a conductor. A real ray of sunshine in the cavalcades. 🎶 His giant violin echoes from village to village.
5. 🌾 The most rural: Jean de la Cense – Fromelles A farmer proud of his straw bales and his land, Jean marches with calm good humour. 🐓 He is the embodiment of the Weppes countryside at its most gentle.
6. 🎉 The most festive: Jojo – La Bassée Colourful, smiling and always ready for a round of pub crawls, Jojo is a hit at popular dances. 🍻 He’s THE giant of great atmospheres.
7. 🧺 The oldest: Rosalie la Lavandière – Quesnoy-sur-Deûle She embodies everyday gestures, household traditions and the world of women in the North in days gone by. 🧼 Her apron tells more than folklore: it’s a forgotten reality.
8. 📚 The most educational: P’tit Georges – Marquette-lez-Lille Designed for use in schools, this little giant teaches local history in an educational way. 👦 A lively tool for talking about heritage to the very young.
9. 🚶♂️ The most well-travelled: Léonard – Erquinghem-Lys He travels through festivals and communes, weaving links between towns and people. 🌍 A giant ambassador who knows the area’s roads inside out.
10. 🏰 The greatest builders: Phinaert & Lydéric – The founding giants of Lille One is a cruel ogre who ruled the marshes. The other, a vengeful orphan raised by a doe. Together, they wrote the territory’s greatest legend. According to the medieval story, Lyderic defeated Phinaert in a duel and founded the city of Lille on the conquered land.
🏛️ This myth, handed down since the Middle Ages, still runs through processions today.
👣 Their giants are the founding pillars of the Flemish imagination, present in Wambrechies, Comines or even in certain symbolic processions of the metropolis. 💬 “Lille is said to have been born of a fight between two giants. Since then, they still stand watch, high as towers, over the land of Flanders.”comme des tours, sur la terre des Flandres.”
Their year is just as full as yours.
They have the elegance of tradition, the poise of an embroidered costume, the quiet strength of Flemish roots.
But the Giants are more than just memories: they also have their own calendar of events.
Parades, cavalcades, local fetes or great ducasses: throughout 2025, they will be coming to life again in the squares of our villages and towns.
💃 Some dance to the rhythm of brass bands.
🎺 Others wave to children from their floats.
🌦️ Whatever the weather, they move forward, carried by enthusiasts, weavers of links and emotion.
Ham 13 May 2007 Anatole Et Gd Pere Guernouillard Dans Rue Du Chateau 8 Markuss
Geants Wattrelos Ville De Wattrelos
Geants Lille Suite Les Amis Des Geants De Lile
Halluin giantsGeante Alys De Comines
Geant Suite Lille Les Amis Des Geants
Geant Bousbecque