Carnaval de Bailleul

The Carnaval de Bailleul: a family and supportive carnival in Flanders

The Carnaval de Bailleul is a festive and charitable event organized each year around Shrove Tuesday by the Société Philanthropique de Bailleul, founded in 1852 by Émile Colpaert, a learned man from Bailleul. Since 1853, this family carnival has combined popular festivities and charitable action, donating the profits from the festival to local solidarity associations.

Gargantua: a giant unlike any other

In 1853, Émile Colpaert had the idea of creating a giant that would be unlike any other: he chose to personify Gargantua, the famous character from François Rabelais. A smooth talker and a prankster, Gargantua elicits the public's sympathy to encourage them to make a gesture for the less fortunate. The current giant, as we know it today, dates from 1965, after the original was destroyed during the bombings of 1918 and rebuilt in 1921.

A rich program over several days

The carnival takes place over four to five days around Shrove Tuesday. It includes night parades of carnival groups on Friday evening, the election of the Carnival Queen on Saturday, the costumed mass at Saint-Vaast church, and the grand carnival procession led by Gargantua on Sunday afternoon, and the children's carnival on Monday with a musical procession in the town center.

A living tradition in Flanders

The Carnaval de Bailleul is part of the rich tradition of Flemish carnivals in Northern France. Unlike the carnivals of Dunkirk or Cassel, Bailleul's stands out for its philanthropic and family-friendly character. The decorated floats, the herring tosses, the colorful costumes, and the festive atmosphere make it a must-attend event in the cultural life of inland Flanders.

The Société Philanthropique

The Société Philanthropique de Bailleul, composed exclusively of volunteers, organizes all the festivities. It is also involved in charitable action throughout the year, supporting various local solidarity actors. The Grand Jeu de Gargantua, a humorous and satirical show, is a highlight of the carnival week.