The Saint Gertrude Tour: when sports and tourism are never far apart

The Saint Gertrude Tour is obviously not a competition. No stopwatch, no ranking, and no finish line to cross as quickly as possible.

However, with its 14 kilometers, the itinerary is a true hike. With comfortable shoes on their feet, participants leave the Grand-Place early in the morning and accompany the relics through the town, paths, and surrounding countryside.

The route has remained practically unchanged over the centuries. Walkers follow in the footsteps of abbesses and canons who traversed this path long before them. Even today, between one thousand and two thousand pilgrims can participate in this great annual march.

A particularly original way to discover Nivelles: here, one doesn't simply visit the heritage, one literally walks through it.

The first known mentions of a procession in honor of Saint Gertrude date back to 1276, even though the tradition might be older still. After several centuries of history and some evolutions, the Tour still retains its religious, popular, and folkloric character today. Since 2004, it has been recognized as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

On the morning of the Tour, the relics are symbolically entrusted by religious authorities to civil authorities. The reliquary is then placed on its historic carriage and accompanies the walkers during their journey.

In the afternoon, the Historic and Religious Return offers a completely different spectacle in the center of Nivelles, with a parade reminiscent of Nivelles society of past centuries.

This year more than ever deserves to extend its passage in Nivelles.

On Sunday, October 4, 2026, the day will begin at 6 am with the pilgrims' mass. At 6:30 am, the relics will be handed over to the authorities and the horses will be blessed, before the 750th Tour departs at 6:45 am. The Historic and Religious Return is scheduled for 3:30 pm.

But the celebrations are not limited to this day. Exhibitions, conferences, equestrian jousts, and other events accompany this jubilee year. From October 16 to 24, the Collegiate Church will host 'Around Gertrude,' an immersive video-mapping show dedicated to the history of the saint, the Tour, and Nivelles.

After walking 14 kilometers, nothing requires you to immediately take the road again.

Take the opportunity to discover the Grand-Place and especially the Saint Gertrude Collegiate Church, an emblematic monument around which much of Nivelles' history has been built.

You can then continue your walk in the Saint-Jacques district, join the Dodaine Park, or simply settle in the center to regain strength.

And since we are in Nivelles, it's hard not to taste the local specialty: the 'tarte al djote.' After several hours of walking, this typical 'Aclote' savory pie might taste even better.

The Van der Valk Hotel Nivelles-Sud makes it possible to turn this day into a true getaway.

After the Tour, enjoy the comfort of your room or spend a few hours in the hotel's Wellness & Fitness area. An indoor pool, sauna, hammam, and jacuzzi help relieve your legs after the morning's 14 kilometers.

In the evening, no need to leave: the hotel restaurant offers Belgian and French cuisine as well as seasonal dishes and products.

Coming to the Saint Gertrude Tour means participating in a unique tradition, but also discovering Nivelles in a way that few classic visits allow.

We walk, traverse the countryside, discover several centuries of history, and share a moment deeply rooted in local identity.

Sports, tourism, heritage, and folklore are ultimately never far from each other in Nivelles. And for this 750th edition, there is hardly a better occasion to experience it.