"The Doudou"

It is to Mons what the carnival is to Rio.

The Ritual Ducasse of Mons

The Doudou, the ritual Ducasse of Mons, has been recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO since 2005.

Every year, over Trinity weekend, Mons comes alive to the rhythm of its Doudou. Curious visitors and locals flock in their thousands to the festivities, the oldest of which dates back to the 14th century.

The Descent of the Châsse de Sainte-Waudru, the Procession, the ascent of the Car d'Or, the “Lumeçon” battle... So many highlights to draw in the crowds.

To discover

Around the Doudou

Event

Du 11/06/2025 au 22/06/2025

Ritual Ducasse of Mons

Site & Museum

Doudou museum

1.3km

Route

Sur les traces du Doudou

Recognition of the Ritual Ducasse of Mons (2005)

"Intangible heritage is understood as the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artifacts, and cultural spaces associated with them – that communities, groups, and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. This intangible cultural heritage, transmitted from generation to generation, is continuously recreated by communities and groups in response to their environment, their interaction with nature, and their history. It provides them with a sense of identity and continuity, thereby promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity."

Artikel 2 des Übereinkommens zur Bewahrung des immateriellen Kulturerbes

A Centuries-Old Tradition Recognized by UNESCO

Since 2005, the Ritual Ducasse of Mons, commonly known as Le Doudou, has been recognized by UNESCO. This event, which has evolved over time, originated in Mons in the 14th century through the Brotherhood of Monseigneur Saint George. This brotherhood was responsible for carrying the saint’s relics in procession through the city and reenacting the battle against the dragon, based on The Golden Legend, a 13th-century tale by Jacobus de Voragine.

Following this recognition, the idea emerged to create an interpretation center dedicated to Saint George and the Dragon.

During their visit in 2005, UNESCO ambassadors highlighted several key elements of the Ritual Ducasse of Mons that contributed to its recognition.

The solemn character of the ceremony marking the descent of the Shrine of Saint Waudru on Saturday evening. This moment is marked by the public’s reverence, applause, and emotional expressions when the sounds of Le Doudou resound through the Collegiate Church. At the end of the ceremony, in a fusion of faith and sacred tradition, hands and handkerchiefs gently touch the saint’s shrine at the heart of the church.
The enthusiasm and active participation of the public, particularly during the battle (when spectators try to grab a strand of the lucky horsehair) and during the ascent of the Car d’Or up the steep Saint-Waudru Ramp. At this moment, the crowd gathers to push the baroque cart in a single, united effort as it completes its processional journey.
The dedication of hundreds of volunteers who work year-round to ensure the Ducasse takes place. This includes costume-making, coordination meetings, and event organization—thousands of hours of work, mostly carried out by volunteers.
The transmission of this intangible heritage across generations, passed down primarily through oral tradition since its origins in the 14th century. It wasn’t until the 20th century that the first written script of the battle was created by Gaston Talaupe (1914). Today, this tradition continues through gestures passed from grandparents to children in Mons during Trinity Weekend, as well as through a special children's version of the battle performed by and for children on the Sunday after Trinity.
The collective recognition of the Ritual Ducasse as part of the UNESCO inscription "Processional Giants and Dragons of Belgium and France", alongside the Giants of Ath, the Meyboom in Brussels, and the Ommegangs of Dendermonde and Mechelen.

The Little Lumeçon: At the Heart of Tradition Transmission

The so-called 'Lumeçon battle' is reenacted annually by thousands of children (up to 3,300 participants), with the youngest being just four years old, on the Sunday following Trinity Sunday

The 90 young actors, playing all roles, are between 11 and 13 years old. This is a unique form of intangible heritage—performed by children, for children. Each year, participants are selected from sixth-grade primary school students who apply to take part. The children meticulously replicate the gestures of the adult performers, and their costumes are identical, requiring the same level of craftsmanship.

While holding the rope, the children are guided by adult actors, ensuring a true oral transmission of the heritage.

The Little Lumeçon was previously held on the Wednesday after Trinity Sunday in Waux-Hall Park, at the city’s entrance. The arena for the children's battle is identical to that of the main event, including the central bandstand. The performance follows the same script, the same gestures, and the same carefully choreographed phases as the grand battle.

The following characters take part in the performance:

A small dragon, carried by white men, with its tail supported by small Men of Leaves
Small devils
Small Chins-Chins
A small Cybèle, Poliade, and flag bearers
Small firefighters, policemen, and bladder bearers