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  • Folklore and Tradition

Join the Saint Lambert folkloric procession in Cerfontaine on August 15th. This march to military music, which features Napoleonic inspired costumes, has been declared intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.

The history of the Cerfontaine Napoleonic march

Cerfontaine is one of 40 villages in the Entre-Sambre et Meuse to have been integrated to the French territory in 1793 and stayed so until December 1815. Cerfontaine's Saint-Lambert march was created to honour the memory of the local conscripts who fought throughout Europe as part of Napoleon's great army.

Among the survivors, many received the Sainte Hélène cross, examples of which you can see at the Musée de la vie régionale de Cerfontaine.

The March

Cerfontaine's Saint-Lambert march takes place every year on August 15th. Firemen, grenadiers, policemen, Zouaves, Voltigeurs and artillery men then march to the sound of drums and fifres.

  • 10 am: mass
  • 11 am: start of the march
  • 12.30 pm: the march returns
  • 8 pm: the companies and squads return

The Saint-Lambert march is characterised by an additional 50 cavaliers as well as how details the Empire uniforms have been reproduced. 

Origins of the marches

Religious at first, influenced by the Napoleonian era, the processions evolved through the 20th century to the actual format.

We do our best to keep you informed. It's best, however, to check the latest news with the attraction you are visiting, or operator you have booked an activity with. Read our travel advice.
This information is given for indication purposes only, best to check with the site you hope to visit before heading there - by phone, email, social media or simply by visiting their website.

Event planned for the month of August 2024 (1)


(1) Dates and programme may be subject to change.

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