The giants of the Valenciennes region
As a festive region, the Valenciennes area has traditionally delighted its inhabitants of all classes and backgrounds with its wickerwork giants and its unique folklore which has often remained true to its authentic roots. The giants are people like any other. They are given names, they get married and sometimes they even have children!
They usually get one outing a year. To discover the very heart and soul of the Valenciennes region, come along and join in the fun!
Anzin
Name: Jehan (Jean) la Houille
Height: 3 metres 47
Weight: 46 kilos
Town: Anzin
Outing date: late June (during the carnival)
Born between 1900 and 1910, an emblematic figure of the town, destroyed during the First World War, he was rebuilt and baptised in 2006. He represents the values of hard work, sharing and solidarity.
Aulnoy-lez-Valenciennes
Name: Louise d’Epinay
Height: 3 metres 30
Town: Aulnoy-lez-Valenciennes
Outing date: during Aulnoy’s carnival
The giant Louise d’Epinay was created in 1981 during the first Aulnoy Carnival at the Madame d’Epinay junior school by a visual arts teacher and his pupils.
Bruay-sur-l'Escaut
Name: Chope le Brasseur
Height: 4 metres
Weight: 74 kilos
Town: Bruay-sur-l’Escaut
Chope le Brasseur was created in 1966 in memory of the district’s brewers. He married Adolphine in 2003.
Name: Adolphine
Height: 3 metres 90
Weight: 67 kilos
Town: Bruay-sur-l’Escaut
She was born in 1950 and represents the coal pickers of the district of Thiers. She married Chope le Brasseur in 2003.
Name: Ch’tiot Gus
Height: 2 metres 86
Weight: 30 kilos
Town: Bruay-sur-l’Escaut
He is the offspring of Adolphine and Chope le Brasseur, and was born in 2005.
Crespin
Name: Alexandre le Meunier
Height: 4 metres 20
Weight: 25 kilos
Town: Crespin
Alexandre le Meunier was designed and created by a primary school pupil, and was baptised in 2008. Le meunier (the Miller) refers to the former Crespin Mill.
Fresnes-sur-Escaut
Name: Cambrinus
Height: 3 metres 80
Weight: 400 kilos
Town: Fresnes-sur-Escaut
Outing date: August 15
Cambrinus was born just after the Second World War, during the first carnival on August 15, 1945. He sits on a barrel placed on a float, pot-bellied, wearing a crown and holding a tankard in his hand.
Maing
Name: Tiot Mit
Height: 3 metres
Weight: 50 kilos
Town: Maing
Outing date: in May (during the "brocante d’en Haut" bric-a-brac sale)
Created in 1903 following a disagreement between the town council and the residents of the “En Haut” district, the latter created a giant representing a brewer’s assistant wearing a tricolour scarf.
Onnaing
Name: Alfred le Pipier
Height: 3 metres 50
Weight: 47 kilos
Town: Onnaing
Alfred le Pipier is a symbol of Onnaing’s renown and a tribute to all of the workers who made the town so famous thanks to their hard work.
Quiévrechain
Name: Le Gabelou
Height: 5 metres 40
Town: Quiévrechain
Le Gabelou is a giant customs officer.
Sebourg
Name: Bauduin de S’Bourcq
Height: 4 metres 60
Weight: 60 kilos
Town: Sebourg
Outing date: the first weekend in September (during the "Sebourg Joie" festival)
Born in 2000, he represents a shepherd. According to legend Bauduin de S’Bourcq was the son of the king of Nijmegen, who was betrayed by Gaufroy who went on to marry Queen Rose, who then entrusted his son Bauduin to the lord of Sebourg. He became famous for his skills during tournaments but also for fiercely resisting Gaufroy, when he attacked Sebourg.
Vicq
Name: Le marquis de Bitaillon
Height: 6 metres 20
Weight: 450 kilos
Town: Vicq
Outing date: in May (on his birthday)
Le Marquis de Bitaillon was baptised in 2001, and represents Jacques "Bitaillon ", the famous "chôle" player (a traditional game played in Vicq).
Valenciennes
Name: Binbin
Height: 4 metres 35
Weight: 280 kilos
Town: Valenciennes
Outing date: first weekend in September (During the "folies de Binbin" event )
Binbin is the youngest child of Gayant (the giant from Douai). He was adopted by the city of Valenciennes in 1825.
