The Stilt Walkers of Namur
600 years of stilt jousts in Namur (Belgium)
Since 1411, two stilt walkers’ teams of Namur have confronted one another relentlessly. On the one side, the ‘Mélans’ who carry yellow and black stilts and represent the old city. On the other, the ‘Avresses’, climbed on red and white stilts, representing the new town and the suburbs. Their spectacular jousts have pleased Emperors and Kings. Charles the Fifth, Louis XIV, Peter the Great from Russia, Napoleon… all of them attended a stilt walkers’ fight given by the Stilt walkers of Namur. Nowadays, the stilt walkers still joust on stilts and perpetuate this living heritage which is the pride of Namur.
More about this
Discover
A living heritage and a rich history. Since 1411 and until the present day, jousting on stilts has made the heart of Namur beat faster. Discover the Namur stilts jousts and their history.
Becoming a stilt walker
This page only exists in French.
Our stilts in detail
The Namur stilts model has evolved over the centuries to adapt to jousting. More about our jousting stilts.
The Golden Stilt
The Joust for the Golden Stilt takes place on the third Sunday of September during the Wallonia festivities. This joust is the most prestigious and popular of all. More about the Golden Stilt.
Women's stilt jousts
This page only exists in French.
Unesco
The Namur stilt jousts are candidates to be on the list of UNESCO cultural heritage.
This page only exists in French.
