Wallonia Festival: eleven days when Namur never sleeps
It is something you have to see at least once in your life. In Saint-Aubain Square, before the cathedral’s Baroque façade, some fifty men perched on wooden stilts charge at one another amidst a cacophony of shouts and dull thuds. The Mélans versus the Avresses. No weapons, no complicated rules: the goal is simply to knock down your opponent. All around, thousands of people are roaring. And it has been going on for centuries.
The Golden Stilt Joust is the highlight of the Wallonia Festival—a Namur celebration that transforms the Walloon capital into a vast village square every September. Established in 1923 to commemorate the events of September 1830, the festival now draws over 250,000 people over a single weekend. Needless to say, the city takes on a whole new character.
In 2026, the Wallonia Festival (Fêtes de Wallonie) will take place from Friday, September 11 to Monday, September 21, with the main weekend events running from the 18th to the 21st. Located just forty-five minutes from the Domaine du Bonsoy, this is a rare opportunity to experience the true Walloon spirit—the kind not found in tourist brochures. We invite you to enjoy the festivities from the comfort of your bungalow: away from the crowds, yet within easy reach of the celebration.
What are the origins of the Wallonia Festival?
The timing is far from arbitrary. In September 1830, the revolutionary days in Brussels paved the way for Belgian independence, with many Walloons playing an active role. Nearly a century later, in 1923, the city of Namur established an official commemoration of these events, transforming the memory into a popular festival. It has since become the annual gathering point for Walloon identity.
The event is organized by the Central Committee of Wallonia, which has long maintained the delicate balance between commemoration, folklore, and celebration. This is precisely what makes the Namur experience so unique: the Wallonia Festival is not merely a street party. It weaves together official ceremonies, tributes, a Mass in Walloon, and centuries-old traditions amidst concerts and bustling outdoor terraces.
“Nameur po tot” — Namur for everyone. It is the rallying cry you will hear a hundred times over three days, and one you will find yourself repeating without even realizing it.
The Golden Stilt Joust: World Heritage
If there is only one event you attend, make it this one. The Namur stilt-jousting contest is inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, alongside the Binche Carnival and the processional giants. This is no mere folkloric reenactment for tourists; it is a living tradition upheld by a brotherhood that passes the practice down from generation to generation.
The concept is deceptively simple. Two sides face off: the Melanes, traditionally representing the old town, and the Avresses, representing the outlying districts. Perched on their stilts and clad in their respective colors, they charge into a clash of giants in the center of the square, attempting to knock one another off balance. The last one standing—or rather, the winner of the final duel—earns the honor of holding the Golden Stilt for a year.
In 2026, the Golden Stilt Joust (Combat de l’Échasse d’Or) will take place on Sunday, September 20, in Place Saint-Aubain, in front of the cathedral. Around fifty jousters are expected to participate. Our advice: arrive very early; the square fills up well in advance, and the best viewing spots are quickly snapped up.
Other unmissable events
Eleven days is a long time. Here are the highlights that, in our opinion, are worth planning your visit around.
The Do Bia Bouquet Market
An arts-and-crafts and local produce market set in the heart of the festivities, taking its name from Namur’s iconic song. It is the perfect spot to stock up on local products and enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere, even at the height of the celebrations.
The Masuis et Cotelis Jambois Guild
The Masuis (market gardeners) and Cotelis (gardeners) of Jambes keep alive a dance tradition with a reputation that extends far beyond Belgium’s borders. Their costumes, dance steps, and music make for one of the most photographed scenes of the festivities.
Mass in Walloon
On Monday morning, Mass is celebrated in Walloon. It is a moment that is both moving and delightful, where local humor finds its way into the liturgy. Even non-believers find something in it: the sense of witnessing the survival of a language.
The raising of the colors and the tribute to François Bovesse
The commemorative aspect of the festivities: the raising of the Walloon flag officially opens the celebrations, and a tribute is paid to François Bovesse, a leading figure of the Walloon movement who was assassinated in 1944.
The twelve districts
This is perhaps Namur’s most charming feature: the festivities aren’t concentrated in a single location but spread across twelve neighborhoods, each with its own atmosphere, crowd, and program. The République Libre des Vieux Marchés, the Quartier des Brasseurs, the Quartier de l’Ange, the Quartier des Arsouilles… Strolling from one to the next means experiencing twelve different parties in a single evening.
Place d’Armes hosts the event’s official hub under a large marquee, featuring an information stand, concerts, children’s activities, an artisan market, and the famous “Nameur li Glote” restaurant—a temple of Namur gastronomy for the duration of the festivities.
Getting there stress-free from Bonsoy
Two hundred and fifty thousand people in a medium-sized city means one thing: don’t drive into the city center. Here is our recommended approach.
| Option | Details | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Train from Dinant | Dinant is ~15 min from Bonsoy. The Dinant-Namur line runs about thirty trains a day and takes around 30 minutes. | ★★★ The best option, especially in the evening |
| Car + peripheral parking | Park outside the city center and finish the journey on foot or by shuttle. | ★★ Fine during the day |
| Car to the center | Heavy traffic, closed streets, and parking is virtually impossible during the main weekend. | ★ Avoid |
The train offers another advantage that courtesy compels us to mention: the Wallonia Festival is also a celebration of beer and peket. Entrusting your return journey to the SNCB is a wise precaution.
Bring comfortable shoes and a light jacket. September evenings in Namur are cool, and you will be doing a lot more walking than you might imagine.
An ideal day out from Le Bonsoy
Morning. Rise at a leisurely pace. Have breakfast on the bungalow terrace, then set off around 10 a.m. If you are taking the train, park in Dinant and enjoy the ride along the Meuse—the rail journey between Dinant and Namur runs alongside the river and serves as a lovely introduction to the area.
Noon. Arrive in Namur around 11 a.m. Start at Place d’Armes to get a feel for the festivities and pick up a program at the information stand. Have an early lunch: the outdoor terraces in the city center fill up fast from noon onwards. The “Nameur li Glote” restaurant—housed in a large marquee—is an experience in itself, but the brasseries in the Quartier des Brasseurs are also excellent choices.
Afternoon. This is the highlight. On Sunday, September 20, head to Place Saint-Aubain well before the Golden Stilt Joust (*Joute de l’Échasse d’Or*) begins. On other days, simply let yourself drift from one neighborhood to the next, taking in the folk processions, the *Masuis et Cotelis* festivities, and the street performers. If the crowds become overwhelming, head for higher ground—the Citadel offers both a refuge and a panoramic view, as we described in our article Namur in Summer: At the Top of the Citadel.
Evening. A final drink in one of the twelve districts, then the train back. You will return to the silence of the Ardennes in Dinant, and to absolute tranquility at Bonsoy. Believe us, the contrast is part of the pleasure.
Why not stay for the whole weekend?
September is our favorite season in the Meuse Valley. The summer crowds have gone, the light turns golden, and the forests begin to change color. A three- or four-night stay would allow you to combine festivities with peace and quiet: a day in Namur, a day out on the trails, and a day spent simply strolling.
Several of our articles will help you plan your itinerary. History enthusiasts should visit Bouvignes and the Crèvecœur fortress, located just twenty minutes from the estate. Those intrigued by local folklore can follow up with our article on the Saint-Feuillen Procession in Fosses-la-Ville—another major provincial tradition. And for the evening, nothing beats our legends and mysteries of the Ardennes, perfect for reading by the fireside.
Finally, if you extend your stay into October, our article on autumn in the Meuse Valley will make you want to linger a little longer, and our guide to the best dining spots around Bonsoy will save you the trouble of searching for a place to eat.
Practical information
- Event: Wallonia Festival (Fêtes de Wallonie) 2026
- Dates: Friday, September 11 to Monday, September 21, 2026 (main weekend: September 18–21)
- Highlight: Golden Stilt Fight (Combat de l’Échasse d’Or), Sunday, September 20, Place Saint-Aubain
- Location: Namur city center, spread across twelve festive districts
- Organizer: Comité Central de Wallonie, Rue des Brasseurs 148, 5000 Namur
- Phone: +32 (0)81 22 29 99
- Email: ccw@fetesdewallonie.be
- Website and full program: www.fetesdewallonie.be
- Tourist Office: Visit Namur
- Cost: Most events are free and open to the public; some activities require payment or a reservation (see the official program)
- Distance from Domaine du Bonsoy: approx. 45 minutes by car, or 15 minutes to Dinant followed by a 30-minute train ride
- Accessibility: The official program indicates activities suitable for people with reduced mobility and the hearing impaired
Your retreat forty-five minutes from the festivities
There is something delightful about spending the day amidst the joyful bustle of a festive town, then closing the door of a quiet chalet nestled among the trees behind you. That is exactly what Domaine du Bonsoy in Hastière offers: proximity without the crowds.
For a Wallonia Festival weekend, we particularly recommend Woody, our coziest bungalow—the kind of place you love coming back to in the evening, where you can put the world to rights around the table and enjoy a deep, restful sleep. Birdy and Serenity would be equally delighted to welcome you.
September weekends fill up fast, and the Wallonia Festival weekend even faster.
Book your stay at Domaine du Bonsoy now and experience the Wallonia Festival the way it’s meant to be: with your heart in the city and your nights in the forest.
