Marches of Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse 2025 in Belgium

Every Sunday between early May and late October, locals gather for folk marches (marches folkloriques) to honor the saints that protect their villages. Each village and small town in Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse, the region between the Sambre and Meuse rivers (the provinces of Hainaut and Namur), has its own protector. Some weekends will see only one village hosting a folk march, while other weekends may have 6-7 villages celebrating at the same time.

March Program

The celebration is similar for all villages but might differ in some aspects. The parade begins in the main religious building which is named after a particular saint. After the morning mass, the religious procession walks through the town escorted by people wearing military uniforms, followed by soldiers riding horses. After the military section of the parade, the clergy appears with the holy relics of the village, followed by the pilgrims. The procession is accompanied by the sounds of drums, fifes and traditional folklore songs. The march gather crowds of thousands of spectators wanting to witness this spectacular sight.

Where to See the Marches

Some of the most popular marches occur in the municipalities of Gerpinnes, Ham-sur-Heure-Nalinnes, Mettet, Florennes, Cerfontaine, Thuin, and Walcourt. For the complete program of the folkloric marches, visit the official website.

Marche Sainte-Rolende in Gerpinnes (May-June, 2025)

Normally taking place in May or June on the Pentecost, the Marche Sainte-Rolende is one of the most well-known among the Marches of Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse. The march gathers together more than 2,500 participants, wearing traditional attire of the First and Second Empire. The procession is held in honor of Sainte Rolende, also known as Rolende de Gerpinnes. The mass usually takes place at 2:55 pm, followed by a parade at 3:45 pm and the Drum Majors parade at 8 pm at Place de la Halle.

Marches in Walcourt (May-October, 2025)

Throughout the entire march season, the municipality of Walcourt and its nearby area plays host to numerous folkloric processions. Some of them include Saint-Fiacre march near Tarcienne, Sainte-Remfroid march in Pry district of Walcourt, and arguably, the most famous parade in the region, La Marche Militaire Notre-Dame de Walcourt, set to take place on Trinity Sunday, which is scheduled for June 15th, 2025. The procession passes by the impressive architecture of the city and is definitely a sight to behold!

History of the Marches

The marches have taken place every year for centuries. Over time, participant dynasties have formed. For instance, one family might hold the drummer role while another might take care of the flags and costumes. Musicians pass their songs on, and craftsmen tell their secrets to new artisans—knowledge and traditions are transmitted from generation to generation.

Initially, the marches had purely religious meanings and were held to show the gratitude and worship of the villagers. But today, the marches have little to do with religion. Instead, these gatherings help locals preserve their history, traditions, and cultural identity. The importance of the marches is recognized by UNESCO: they are part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.