Feast of Saint-Antoine des Vanniers

Saint Antoine, patron of basket makers

Each year, on the Saturday closest to January 17th, basket makers from Haute-Marne gather to honor Saint Antoine, their patron saint. This vibrant tradition is one of the defining events of the Fayl-Billot region, recognized for over three centuries as the French capital of basket making. The feast takes place alternately in the three historic communes of the basket-making basin: Fayl-Billot, Bussières-lès-Belmont, and Grenant, each taking turns to host this event steeped in artisanal pride.

The Brotherhood of the Noble Wicker Shapers

At the heart of the feast, the Brotherhood of the Noble Wicker Shapers plays a central role. Founded in Fayl-Billot, this brotherhood brings together basket-making artisans, enthusiasts, and heritage defenders of wickerwork. Dressed in their ceremonial attire, the brothers and sisters solemnly parade through the streets of the host village, recalling the nobility and antiquity of their craft. Their presence gives the day a dimension that is both festive and ceremonial, blending respect for tradition with conviviality.

The religious ceremony and rituals

The day begins with a solemn mass celebrated in the church of the host commune, decorated for the occasion with woven wicker works: baskets, hampers, sculptures, and contemporary creations. During the ceremony, the traditional brioche is blessed and distributed to the faithful, accompanied by basket-making tools, symbols of the savoir-faire passed down through generations. This moment of reflection seals the bond between the basket-making community and their spiritual heritage.

Presentation of the staff and the 'chanteau'

After the mass, the brotherhood visits a basket maker's workshop for the highlight of the day: the presentation of the staff and the 'chanteau'. The staff, emblem of the feast, is passed to the basket maker who will organize the celebration the following year in another commune. The 'chanteau', a small symbolic brioche, accompanies this handover of power in a ritual imbued with solemnity and fraternity. Medals of honor are also awarded to deserving basket makers, recognizing their commitment to the profession.

Parade and convivial meal

A parade of the Brotherhood then winds through the streets of the basket-making town, offering spectators a colorful and moving spectacle. Participants then gather for an aperitif offered by the municipality, with mulled wine in this winter season, before sharing a grand convivial meal open to all, by reservation. This unifying lunch, served in a community hall, is an opportunity for old and young artisans to share their common passion and celebrate together the vitality of the basket-making art.

An exceptional basket-making heritage

The Feast of Saint-Antoine is part of a territory with a unique basket-making richness in France. Fayl-Billot is home to the National School of Wickerwork and Basket Making, founded in 1905, the only institution of its kind in the country, which trains over 300 people annually in weaving techniques. The town is labeled City of Arts and Crafts and has a Basket Making Museum tracing three centuries of savoir-faire. In 2025, the INPI approved the geographical indication "Vannerie de Fayl-Billot", consecrating the excellence of this artisanal tradition. The Feast of Saint-Antoine is thus an essential link in the preservation and transmission of this remarkable intangible heritage.