Berlouffes de Wattrelos

A festival born from history

The Fête des Berlouffes is inseparable from the identity of Wattrelos. Created in 1978, it commemorates a tragic episode in local history: on December 27, 1566, in the midst of the Wars of Religion, beggars – Flemish Calvinists and rebellious inhabitants, dressed in rags called "berlouffes" in dialect – were besieged in the church of Wattrelos by the soldiers of the Duke of Alba. Unable to force the doors, the soldiers set the building on fire. Some beggars threw themselves from the tower, others perished in the flames.

The largest flea market in the North

Over the decades, the Fête des Berlouffes has become one of the largest flea markets in France, with 17 kilometers of sidewalks occupied by individuals who have cleared out their attics. From 8 am to 5 pm, the streets of the city center and the Laboureur district are transformed into a huge open-air flea market.

A 17 km route

The scale of the flea market is impressive: the 17 km of sidewalks offer an endless route of stalls where you can find treasures at low prices. Clothes, toys, books, trinkets, furniture, vinyl records, dishes... everything is sold and bought in a joyful and popular bargain-hunting atmosphere.

The second largest flea market in the North

After the Braderie de Lille, the Berlouffes is the second largest flea market in the region, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from all over the Lille metropolis and beyond.

The parade of the giants

At 10 am, the parade of the three Wattrelos giants sets off through the streets of the town: Jeanne de Wattrelos, Ferrand de Portugal, and Thomas de Savoie, accompanied by the Berlouffe effigy and the Berlouffes folk group. This colorful and musical procession is a moment of local pride that perpetuates the tradition of the giants of the North, inscribed in intangible heritage.

The rag doll throwing ritual

One of the most anticipated moments of the day is the throwing of rag dolls from the balcony of the Saint-Maclou church onto Place Delvainquière, at 5:30 pm. This tradition, established since 1977, sees rag dolls – symbolizing the "berlouffes" – thrown from the bell tower under the eyes of the crowd, which reaches out to catch them. It's a moment of collective joy and good-natured competition.

The burning of the Berlouffe Man

The climax of the festival is the burning of the Berlouffe effigy at 5:45 pm. This large rag doll effigy is solemnly burned in the square, and the crowd forms a circle around the bonfire. This symbolic ritual echoes the historical drama of 1566 and concludes the day in an atmosphere of festive solemnity.

Association stands and entertainment

Throughout the day, numerous Wattrelos associations set up stands offering food, games, entertainment, and activities for children. Medieval entertainment recalls the historical context of the festival and punctuates the day with street performances.