Festival of Giants 2016:

To see about 100 huge effigies parading through the streets is quite a sight, each with as many as six men holding forth underneath. There's a certain pageantry to the event with brass bands playing, flocks of pigeons being released, and the Mayor giving a speech. It's particularly well-suited for people who love nostalgic yet quirky civic events that feel like they're steeped in history.

History of Festival of Giants France:

The whole procession started in 1479, although the current giants date to at least 1530. While there's a lot of partying and carrying on at the festival – a chance for the normal folk to blow some steam off – it's fair to say the march of the giants has a monarchial bent. When the Gayant family comes through town, the implication is they are royalty inspecting their kingdom, basking in the adoration of their subjects. 

 

What will happen in Festival of Giants France 2016?

On the Sunday after July 5, Douali – and a sizable chunk of tourists – turns out for the three-day Festival of Giants. There's a Mardi Gras atmosphere to the whole shebang. Community organizations and similar groups get into costumes ranging from the medieval-inspired to Lady Gaga haute weird. Music is played (including an innovative bell organ connected to Douali's Belfry, which sits above the iconic city hall). Street food is fried.

But the main event is the Gayant family, which consists of father Gayant, his wife Marie Cagenon, and their three children – teenage Jacquot, maiden daughter Fillon and baby Binbin.

But who are the Giants in Douai Festival of Giants?

Monsieur Gayant is the biggest giant around, towering over the crowds at around 28 feet high and weighing in at approximately 815 pounds. He comes dressed in armor, with sword in hand and shield by his side, possibly because his image was inspired by the actions (but not necessarily looks) of Jehon Gelon, a 9th-century lord who liberated Douali from the Normans. The wicker frame of the statue was built by the local Basket Making Guild.

Marie Cagenon , built under the patronage of the "Guild of Fruiterers," is a comparatively slight lass, but that's all relative when you're dealing with her husband; she's a big old giant too at the end of the day, measuring 20 feet high and around 550 pounds. The rest of the 'family' measures in at a relatively petit seven feet.

Accompanied by their three children – Jacquot, the perpetual teenager; Fillon, the fair-haired daughter; and Binbin, a lad weighing 45kg – the couple lead a three-day dance which draws a Sunday crowd of 80,000 for one of France’s major parades.