It’s the Doudou this weekend in Mons.
Here are a few pointers if this is the first year you have been here for this busy annual event.
- All the activities are free of charge.
- The Doudou attracts crowds so plan your trip to the city ahead of time – parking (and driving) will be difficult! Avoid taking the car if possible.
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes (and definitely not your best or newest ones);
- Avoid pushchairs – I would even recommend not to take young kids to Mons this weekend as it could be dangerous because of the crowd.
- Beware of pickpockets! They take advantage of the “Doudou” festivities to steal your belongings. Ladies: avoid handbags, jewels, etc.
- For security reasons, avoid backpacks.
- For a lot of people (especially the university students), “Doudou” means “beer fest”. I would suggest you to leave the city at a decent time to avoid drunk people, fights, and other “not so nice” behaviours.
- If you live downtown Mons and have the opportunity to park your car in a garage, do it! Try not to move your car over the weekend – some people park anywhere during the “Doudou” festivities so there may be a car in front of your garage unfortunately (even though this is not allowed… and the police may not have the time to take care of these “minor issues”.
- Don’t go to this kind of mass event alone! Make sure you are always accompanied by a friend or relative. That way you will take care of each other. The same goes for your teenagers.
- And as always, please don’t drink and drive.
Order of Significant Events:
Parking:
- Saturday 14th June, 19:50h - Descent of the Shrine of Sainte-Waudru
- Sunday 15 June, from 09:00 on - the Procession, the Ascent of the Golden Coach and the Combat with the dragon.
- On Sunday 22 June, 12:00 hours, there will be the “Petit Lumeçon” (Mini Combat with kids as actors). Here is the link to their FB page: https://fr-fr.facebook.com/telemb/.
- Free parking (Grand Large in Ghlin, Grands Prés Shopping Mall/Lotto Mons Expo) will be available outside the city centre.
- Sometimes a free shuttle bus will take you to the city centre and back to your car.
- If you live in a village/city near Mons and want to take the bus, do check this website to plan your route: https://www.letec.be/ (see “Venez au Doudou en bus”).
Bonne Ducasse!
