FÊTES DE GAYANT
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The opportunity to see the most famous giants of the North: 2 weeks of festivities and the procession of one of the largest parades in the region.
In Douai, the giants, or gayants in Picard, are wicker creatures made by the manneliers of the region. Every year in July, the town is decked out in the colours of the Gayant family and vibrates to the rhythm of its processions. The Binbins Festival invites the little ones to discover street shows with puppets, jugglers, clowns and tales for three days. On the following Saturday, the giants gather together and a large street banquet is organised to allow all the curious to meet and watch the giants get ready. The Gayant Festivities begin on Sunday and last until Tuesday. The Gayant Family consists of Mr Gayant (8.50 m and 370 kg and requires six porters all the same!), Marie Cagenon (the mother, 6.25 m, 250 kg and six porters as well), and the three children Fillon, Jacquot and Binbin. They are accompanied by the "sot des cannoniers", the horse that traces the procession and the chariot of the Wheel of Fortune. The Sunday parade attracts more than 70,000 visitors each year who come to support the porters, a function that has been passed down from father to son for generations, and to dance the rigodon, the traditional dance. On the same day there is a pigeon release and candy toss. A festival not to be missed!