Festival of Gayant (Douai Giants Festival)Fêtes de Gayant

The Fêtes de Gayant is an annual folklore festival in Douai featuring five giant wickerwork puppets (Gayant and his family) that parade through the city. Held since at least the 16th century (Picard tradition), the giants symbolic of local legend come to life with music, dancing, and street spectacle. The festival spans three days (Sunday-Tuesday) each July, culminating in a grand procession where thousands gather to witness the giants moving through the streets 1 2. It is a cornerstone of Douai’s community identity and northern French giant tradition.

Part of the north-French and Belgian tradition of giant effigies (Reuze/Gayant) dating from the Middle Ages. These figures, named Gayant (Picard for “giant”), Jerry, Fillon, Binbin and Marie Cagenon, embody local folklore. The festival reflects Artois folk culture and communal pride in Douai’s legend of the giant family 1 2.