The Stilt Jousting of Namur

The stilt jousting of Namur

The stilt jousting is an emblematic folkloric tradition of Namur, practised for more than six hundred years. The Namur audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this colourful spectacle, where combatants perched on stilts confront one another under the eyes of the crowd.

The centuries-old tradition of the stilt fights

Just as important and symbolic as any monument of the town, the stilt jousting is an unmissable folkloric tradition of Namur. It has been more than six hundred years since this practice was born and continues to be transmitted from generation to generation, making the pride of the people of Namur. The principle is spectacular: combatants, perched on high wooden stilts, confront one another in two traditional teams, seeking to make their adversaries fall by unbalancing them, without using their hands. These jousts, which take place during great occasions and festivities, gather the inhabitants in an enthusiastic and good-natured atmosphere. Deeply rooted in the identity of the town, this living tradition is recognised as an element of the intangible cultural heritage. A unique spectacle and a living heritage, the stilt jousting is an unmissable folkloric interlude of the discovery of Namur.

What to see

Here you discover the folkloric tradition of the stilt jousting, born more than six hundred years ago and still transmitted, where combatants perched on high wooden stilts confront one another in two teams to make each other fall without the hands, during great festivities, in an enthusiastic atmosphere, recognised as intangible cultural heritage. The stilt jousting is the folkloric pride of Namur. It is a stop to be discovered, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The stilt jousting takes place in Namur during great occasions and festivities, on the squares of the town, reachable on foot. The performances follow their own calendar, which varies according to the festivities and the season. It is best to inquire about the dates before coming.

Since when have the stilt jousting of Namur existed?

For more than six hundred years: this folkloric tradition, where combatants on stilts confront one another in two teams to make each other fall without the hands, is transmitted from generation to generation and is recognised as intangible cultural heritage.

Where to see the stilt jousting of Namur?

On the squares of Namur, during the great festivities of the town, in Belgium.