- Folklore and Tradition
Organised every 7 years, this march, declared intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO is an absolute must see.
This impressive religious ceremony is given in honour of Saint Feuillen. Over 3,000 persons, dressed in military uniforms inspired by the first and second Napoleonic Empire, will join. Also on the program: canon shots, fifres and drums... Quite possibly the most prestigious march in the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse region.
The legend of Saint Feuillen
The tradition started in the 15th century, as a prayer to Saint Feuillen to be protected from war and natural catastrophes or even asking for a weather kind to the cereal crops.
In 1635, after an epidemy of plague, Fosses decided to organise it every 7 years. This is the oldest and most prestigious military march in the Entre-Sambre et Meuse region.
The march
- It unrolls onto 4 Sundays, the last Sunday of September being the most important. Over 3,000 soldiers escort the bust and reliquary of Saint Feuillen, paced by drums, fifres and muskets being shot.
- The procession finishes on the Feu de file, a local tradition: each soldier will shoot once by the statue of Saint Feuillen, in front of the collegiate church.
Sunday 27 September 2026
- From 4 a.m., bugle calls and wake up call for the companies in Fosses-la-Ville
- 8 a.m., departure of the first company from the Market Square
- 8:30 a.m., departure of the Procession and the Blessed Sacrament
- 9 a.m., formation at "Pautche"
- 10:30 a.m., reviewing stand
- 11:30 a.m., formation at "Chêne"
- 12 p.m., dispersal and lunch
- 1:30 p.m., resumption of the March and Procession, Centenary Square
- 3 p.m., descent of the "Greffes de la Folie"
- 5 p.m., signal fire at Saint Feuillen
- 6:30 p.m., return of the Procession
