The Procession of the Car d'Or

Saint Waudru Returns to Her City

In the early morning, the collegiate church of Mons still resonates with the sound of the Doudou. The day before, the relics of Saint Waudru were brought down in front of the Dean, the Mayor, and hundreds of Montois who came to pay tribute to the city's patron saint. The Car d'Or, which carries the shrine, is ready. It’s 9:30 AM, and the procession can begin. Throughout the morning, the float will carry the relics of Saint Waudru across the city, accompanied by 1,500 participants.

Seven Centuries of Procession

On the sidewalks and behind the safety barriers, the locals applaud as the Car d'Or, pulled by six draft horses, passes by. Despite the centuries, the tradition remains strong. The procession, which dates back to the 14th century, attracts thousands of people. The various guilds, brotherhoods, and other historical groups that precede the float move forward slowly. Banners, players of ancient music, reliquaries, shrines, brotherhoods, canons, and other riders lavishly evoke the history of Mons...

A Meeting with History

In period costumes, the participants remind everyone that Mons has always played a crucial role in European history. The brotherhoods and guilds march to the rhythm of music. The Car d'Or brings up the rear. On the float, around the shrine of Saint Waudru, a priest accompanied by acolytes reads aloud at several iconic spots in the city a miracle attributed to the saint. During the readings, the faithful offer various objects to the children, who apply them to the shrine in the hope of bringing them luck. After making the "tour" of the city, the Car d'Or returns to the collegiate church, but not before climbing the Sainte-Waudru ramp. The climb, lasting around thirty seconds, is itself a major highlight of the Ducasse.