Description
The Sainte Gertrude Tour takes place every year on Michaelmas, September 29, or on the following Sunday.
More and more participants look forward to this tour whose reputation has gone well beyond local and national borders.
For about 15 km, it follows the paths through fields of the Abbesses and Canonesses who used to visit the farms, the ill and the poor.
The Sainte Gertrude Tour, which was mentioned in sources dating back to the 13th century, was of course a religious procession initially. Today it is an opportunity to get together in a very congenial atmosphere.
Early in the morning (about 6:30 a.m.) after the blessing of the horses, the procession gets underway to accompany the 15th century chariot carrying the relics of St. Gertrude.
Over the entire 15 km itinerary, the choir’s chants mix with the conversations of the pilgrims-for-a-day.
Since 2004, the Sainte Gertrude Tour has been declared a part of the French Community folklore and immaterial heritage.
In 2026, Nivelles will mark a historic year. The Tour Sainte-Gertrude will celebrate its 750th edition, as well as the 1,400th anniversary of the birth of Saint Gertrude and the 980th anniversary of the consecration of the Collegiate Church of Saint Gertrude.
To mark the occasion, the Town, the church community and the Committee will solemnly open the ‘Gertrudis Year 2026’.
2026 Programme:
Tuesday 29 September
- 7.00 pm: Vespers of St Michael and the placing of the relics in the Collegiate Church of St Gertrude
Saturday 3 October
- 5.30 pm: Transfer of the statues of Saint Paul, Saint Teresa and the shrine of Saint Marie d’Oignies
- 6.00 pm: Solemn Mass and placing of the shrine of Saint Gertrude on the cart
Sunday 4 October – 750th Saint Gertrude Tour
- 06.00: Pilgrims’ Mass
- 06.30: Handover of the relics to the authorities and blessing of the horses
- 06.45: Start of the Sainte-Gertrude Procession
- 15.30: Historic and religious return procession, followed by the Te Deum
Sunday 11 October
- 10.30: Return of the reliquary to its place after Sunday Mass
labels : Intangible heritage of French Community
Opening
The 4 October 2026 From 06h45