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| Carnaval de Binche - Binche Carnival March 6, 7, 8, 2011: Jours Gras (Fat Days) - Mardi Gras |
The Carefree Traveller
The hat, consisting of ostrich feathers. is one of the main components of the costume. The “Gilles”
also wear a mask made of canvass covered with wax, a pair of glasses, a moustache and a beauty
spot in the style of Napoleon III, for their procession on Shrove Tuesday.
The belt, to which six to nine little bells are attached and the chest bell, borrowed from horses and
worn on the breast plate, is another important part of the costume. The bells are of different weights,
the sound depending on the size of the bell. The shirt and the trousers are made of burlap onto which
are sown the motifs of lions and black, red and yellow stripes.
The clogs, the basket, the inner sock and broom complete the dress of the “Gilles”. Dancing and
tapping the ground with their clogs, they drive away the spirits of winter and welcome in the spring.
also wear a mask made of canvass covered with wax, a pair of glasses, a moustache and a beauty
spot in the style of Napoleon III, for their procession on Shrove Tuesday.
The belt, to which six to nine little bells are attached and the chest bell, borrowed from horses and
worn on the breast plate, is another important part of the costume. The bells are of different weights,
the sound depending on the size of the bell. The shirt and the trousers are made of burlap onto which
are sown the motifs of lions and black, red and yellow stripes.
The clogs, the basket, the inner sock and broom complete the dress of the “Gilles”. Dancing and
tapping the ground with their clogs, they drive away the spirits of winter and welcome in the spring.
A three day ‘Mardi Gras’
There are two parts to the festivals: the carnival and the pre-carnivalesque performances, also
called the ‘soumonces’.
The carnival starts 49 days before Easter, the soumonces six weeks prior to that.
On the fifth and sixth Sunday before the carnival groups of Gilles and carnival societies go out into
the streets of Binche to the sound of the drums.
On Shrove Sunday, the first of three days of Mardi Gras, the Gilles (the oldest and principal
participants in the Carnival of Binche) and others in peasant, Harlequin and Pierrot costumes,
parade through the streets of Binche and dance to music played by brass bands, showing off their
dazzling costumes.
There are around 1000 Gilles, all male, some as young as 3 years old. All wear the traditional
costume of the Gille.
Every night the town’s central square is lit up by a firework display and the crowds throw confetti into
the air, filling the streets with colour. The festival reaches its climax on Shrove Tuesday, the only day
when the Gilles wear their famous hats. Weighing three kilos and consisting of nearly 300 ostrich
feathers, these hats resemblef Inca headdresses. Each Gille also hides beneath a wax mask.
These masks symbolise equality and can only be sold or worn in Binche as they are carefully
protected by the European Patent Office.
Everything starts at about four in the morning with the ‘collection’ of participants. To the sound of a
reed pipe playing a traditional tune, the Gilles go from house to house collecting all the members of
their particular Gille group. They are welcomed into each home with a glass of champagne. Next,
nearly a thousand Gilles proceed to the station where they meet for a champagne and oyster
breakfast. From there they carry on to a long parade where they give out (or sometimes throw)
oranges to the crowd.
As evening draws, everyone meets to dance around a huge carnival bonfire. The party carries on all
night but the drums fall silent as the sun rises on Ash Wednesday, signalling the beginning of Lent.
There are two parts to the festivals: the carnival and the pre-carnivalesque performances, also
called the ‘soumonces’.
The carnival starts 49 days before Easter, the soumonces six weeks prior to that.
On the fifth and sixth Sunday before the carnival groups of Gilles and carnival societies go out into
the streets of Binche to the sound of the drums.
On Shrove Sunday, the first of three days of Mardi Gras, the Gilles (the oldest and principal
participants in the Carnival of Binche) and others in peasant, Harlequin and Pierrot costumes,
parade through the streets of Binche and dance to music played by brass bands, showing off their
dazzling costumes.
There are around 1000 Gilles, all male, some as young as 3 years old. All wear the traditional
costume of the Gille.
Every night the town’s central square is lit up by a firework display and the crowds throw confetti into
the air, filling the streets with colour. The festival reaches its climax on Shrove Tuesday, the only day
when the Gilles wear their famous hats. Weighing three kilos and consisting of nearly 300 ostrich
feathers, these hats resemblef Inca headdresses. Each Gille also hides beneath a wax mask.
These masks symbolise equality and can only be sold or worn in Binche as they are carefully
protected by the European Patent Office.
Everything starts at about four in the morning with the ‘collection’ of participants. To the sound of a
reed pipe playing a traditional tune, the Gilles go from house to house collecting all the members of
their particular Gille group. They are welcomed into each home with a glass of champagne. Next,
nearly a thousand Gilles proceed to the station where they meet for a champagne and oyster
breakfast. From there they carry on to a long parade where they give out (or sometimes throw)
oranges to the crowd.
As evening draws, everyone meets to dance around a huge carnival bonfire. The party carries on all
night but the drums fall silent as the sun rises on Ash Wednesday, signalling the beginning of Lent.
The Carnival of Binche takes place each year in the Belgian city of Binche and attracts an
increasing number of people to Binche and Belgium itself.
The Binche carnival dates back to 1395, when it was celebrated as Quaresmiaux. It derived from
pagan rites which were later merged with Christian religious festivities. In 2003, the Carnival of
Binche was proclaimed one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
by UNESCO.
The Binche carneval lasts for three days but, in accordance with tradition, Shrove Thuesday is the
only time when the “Gilles” appear in traditional costume and throw their oranges.
increasing number of people to Binche and Belgium itself.
The Binche carnival dates back to 1395, when it was celebrated as Quaresmiaux. It derived from
pagan rites which were later merged with Christian religious festivities. In 2003, the Carnival of
Binche was proclaimed one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
by UNESCO.
The Binche carneval lasts for three days but, in accordance with tradition, Shrove Thuesday is the
only time when the “Gilles” appear in traditional costume and throw their oranges.
The Carefree Traveller
Getting to Binche, Belgium
The municipality of Binche (32,508 inhabitants on 1 January 2007) is located in the province of
Hainau. It is 60 km south of Brussels, 15 km east of Mons. and 20 km west of Charleroi.
The municipality of Binche (32,508 inhabitants on 1 January 2007) is located in the province of
Hainau. It is 60 km south of Brussels, 15 km east of Mons. and 20 km west of Charleroi.
Benelux Tourail Pass
Budget Car Rental
Budget Car Rental
The Brussels Card
The Brussels Card offers admission to 24 museums, unlimited use on
public transport and special offers for shopping, restaurants, bars, tours
and much more! It is valid for 24 or 72 hours and comes with a guide
detailing everything about the museums and other discounts Every card
comes with a FREE guidebook with helpful information on the
establishments associated with the card, as well as a city map
Details and Booking Information
The Brussels Card offers admission to 24 museums, unlimited use on
public transport and special offers for shopping, restaurants, bars, tours
and much more! It is valid for 24 or 72 hours and comes with a guide
detailing everything about the museums and other discounts Every card
comes with a FREE guidebook with helpful information on the
establishments associated with the card, as well as a city map
Details and Booking Information
Amsterdam Day Trip from Brussels
Holland is only a stone's throw away from Belgium so don't miss the chance to visit Amsterdam
on a comprehensive day trip from Brussels. Cross the Dutch border and enter a land of polders
and dikes dotted with countless windmills before reaching the Amsterdam area. Take the
opportunity to customize your itinerary with free time in Amsterdam.
Details and Booking Information
Holland is only a stone's throw away from Belgium so don't miss the chance to visit Amsterdam
on a comprehensive day trip from Brussels. Cross the Dutch border and enter a land of polders
and dikes dotted with countless windmills before reaching the Amsterdam area. Take the
opportunity to customize your itinerary with free time in Amsterdam.
Details and Booking Information
Luxembourg and the Ardennes Day Trip from Brussels
If you've got just one day to spare, take a full-day tour from Brussels to explore Luxembourg and
the picturesque Ardennes region. After traveling through rolling hills and dense forest, you'll
emerge at Lavaux Saint-Anne, a beautiful Belgian Castle. You have the option here to visit the
museum dedicated to hunting and nature.
Details and Booking Information
If you've got just one day to spare, take a full-day tour from Brussels to explore Luxembourg and
the picturesque Ardennes region. After traveling through rolling hills and dense forest, you'll
emerge at Lavaux Saint-Anne, a beautiful Belgian Castle. You have the option here to visit the
museum dedicated to hunting and nature.
Details and Booking Information
Carnival and Mardi Gras Celebrations
Fasching in Munich (Munich,Germany)
Kölner Karneval (Cologne Germany)
Basler Fasnacht (Basel Switzerland)
Fasching in Munich (Munich,Germany)
Kölner Karneval (Cologne Germany)
Basler Fasnacht (Basel Switzerland)
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Online carefree travel service for festivals, special events, villa and vacation home rentals, vacation packages, tours, family vacations
and travel with pets. Plan your trip, book online and enjoy a carefree vacation with The Carefree Traveller. Travel guides, maps and travel
store.
and travel with pets. Plan your trip, book online and enjoy a carefree vacation with The Carefree Traveller. Travel guides, maps and travel
store.
Sightseeing and Tours
Belgium in One Day Sightseeing Tour
Immerse yourself in Brussels, Antwerp and Bruges on this full-day coach tour of Belgium. Make
the most of your time and see the best Belgium has to offer including a canal ride, a snack of
Belgium Fries, beer and chocolate tastings. Your trip starts in Brussels, Belgium's capital and
home to the European Union. Your full-day guided tour through Belgium will conclude with a
coach return to Brussels.
Details and Booking Information
Immerse yourself in Brussels, Antwerp and Bruges on this full-day coach tour of Belgium. Make
the most of your time and see the best Belgium has to offer including a canal ride, a snack of
Belgium Fries, beer and chocolate tastings. Your trip starts in Brussels, Belgium's capital and
home to the European Union. Your full-day guided tour through Belgium will conclude with a
coach return to Brussels.
Details and Booking Information
