This trip includes a 3-course lunch and train ticket!
Today we are going to cross off an amazing item on our “Expat in Belgium Bucket List”. You simply have got to witness and experience this annual historic event. Become part of a tradition that goes back to the 14th century and that has been proclaimed as Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity listed by UNESCO in 2003.
The famous Carnaval de Binche takes place during three days, from Sunday to Tuesday. Since most of us have to work during the week Expat Club organises a fun trip on the first day. Although every day is different, Sunday is known to be very lively and colourful as many locals dress up in magnificent costumes. There are quite a few different characters: the Gille, the Peasant, the Arlequin, the Pierrot, the Wife of the Gille and of course many musicians.
Usually we travel by luxury coach, but as it will be rather busy it is going to be hard to find parking spaces. Therefore we travel this time by train. Your train tickets is included in the trip fee, so skip the lines at Midi station and come to the right platform. Or actually, if you want then join us earlier for a coffee at Sam’s Café in the middle of the Midi terminal. Expat Club has reserved a large number seats on the direct train to Binche so we can all sit together. It’s a great way to get to know some new people and have some fun during a 1 hour train ride. Needless to say that the trains will be completely full on this special day, so having a seat with “Réservé pour Expat Club” is not a bad idea. No other people can sit on our seats!! Upon arrival we will make a nice walk around of about 20 minutes to our first destination: Restaurant Brasserie La Binchoise. Indeed, it is time for lunch and beer!
Due to the carnaval it is virtually impossible to find spots in any restaurant. That is why Expat Club has already (again) reserved a seat on the table for you in this historic place. We will enjoy a special three-course Carnival menu that is included in the price.
Canapé de rillettes au saumon fumé
*
Toast à la binchoise (pleurotes, lardons, fines herbes et binchoise blonde)
*
Carbonnade à la Binchoise blonde
(or brochette de poulet, or vegetarian)
Accompagnements : Frites
*
ˆMouse au chocolat maison
Nougat Glacé
Mojito de fruits frais
Drinks are not yet included in the menu. Due to the Carnival it will not be possible to opt out for lunch, although we normally offer optional lunches during our trips. You can indicate what you would like to eat during checkout.
La Binchoise is an authentic Brasserie that dates back to 1836! It produces various delicious beers, including La Binchoise Blonde, La Rose des Ramparts, La Binchoise Brune, La Binchoise Triple, La Binchoise de Noêl, La Biers des Ours, La Belge, La Xo and three Organic beers (blonde, brune, au miel). Getting thirsty already? Great! Lets taste a few of them since we’re there anyway. If you would like to join, you can indicate so during checkout, otherwise you area already free to checkout the rest of the town and witness the Carnival festivities.
Carnival festivities are taking place throughout the day, and actually already start as early as 7h00 when families and friends gather for a meal, after which they take part in the Shrove Sunday procession that starts around 15h00. This gives us ample time to enjoy our lunches and beers, see the lovely town with its fortifications and old buildings.
The big procession starts at 15h00 and lasts several hours. But the Carnival party continues until late at night. This is the high point of the day and you will be able to see it all. The Binche Tourist Office writes:
“Shrove Sunday is the most colourful day of the Carnival. The Gilles, Peasants, Pierrots and Alequins-to-be wear a fantasy costume, that has been imagined months ago and prepared in secret. From 7am the participants leave their home walking from door to door through the city in small groups, with the sound of the drums or the viola. The visitors can then admire the beauty and the originality of the “Sunday costumes”. After a meal with their family or their friends, the societies gather together again on the Eugène Derbaix square, near the station, for the Shrove Sunday procession. Accompanied by the drums and the brass instruments, they join the Wanderpepen Avenue and they finally split up at the Charles Deliège Avenue. After the procession the societies continues to walk the streets with music playing until the end of the evening. The sound of the drums will then give rhythm to the night.”
Please note that due to the vast number of people that come (from all over the world) to see this special Carnival, it will be virtually impossible to see it with a large group. Therefore it is advised to go through town in smaller groups. We will reconvene in the train itself to return to Brussels at 19h14. Just look for the “Réservé” stickers on the train windows to locate our seats. We return to Brussels Midi around 20h30 and we guarantee you will have had a fantastic day!
This trip includes a 3-course lunch and train ticket!
Today we are going to cross off an amazing item on our “Expat in Belgium Bucket List”. You simply have got to witness and experience this annual historic event. Become part of a tradition that goes back to the 14th century and that has been proclaimed as Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity listed by UNESCO in 2003.
The famous Carnaval de Binche takes place during three days, from Sunday to Tuesday. Since most of us have to work during the week Expat Club organises a fun trip on the first day. Although every day is different, Sunday is known to be very lively and colourful as many locals dress up in magnificent costumes. There are quite a few different characters: the Gille, the Peasant, the Arlequin, the Pierrot, the Wife of the Gille and of course many musicians.
Usually we travel by luxury coach, but as it will be rather busy it is going to be hard to find parking spaces. Therefore we travel this time by train. Your train tickets is included in the trip fee, so skip the lines at Midi station and come to the right platform. Or actually, if you want then join us earlier for a coffee at Sam’s Café in the middle of the Midi terminal. Expat Club has reserved a large number seats on the direct train to Binche so we can all sit together. It’s a great way to get to know some new people and have some fun during a 1 hour train ride. Needless to say that the trains will be completely full on this special day, so having a seat with “Réservé pour Expat Club” is not a bad idea. No other people can sit on our seats!! Upon arrival we will make a nice walk around of about 20 minutes to our first destination: Restaurant Brasserie La Binchoise. Indeed, it is time for lunch and beer!
Due to the carnaval it is virtually impossible to find spots in any restaurant. That is why Expat Club has already (again) reserved a seat on the table for you in this historic place. We will enjoy a special three-course Carnival menu that is included in the price.
Canapé de rillettes au saumon fumé
*
Toast à la binchoise (pleurotes, lardons, fines herbes et binchoise blonde)
*
Carbonnade à la Binchoise blonde
(or brochette de poulet, or vegetarian)
Accompagnements : Frites
*
ˆMouse au chocolat maison
Nougat Glacé
Mojito de fruits frais
Drinks are not yet included in the menu. Due to the Carnival it will not be possible to opt out for lunch, although we normally offer optional lunches during our trips. You can indicate what you would like to eat during checkout.
La Binchoise is an authentic Brasserie that dates back to 1836! It produces various delicious beers, including La Binchoise Blonde, La Rose des Ramparts, La Binchoise Brune, La Binchoise Triple, La Binchoise de Noêl, La Biers des Ours, La Belge, La Xo and three Organic beers (blonde, brune, au miel). Getting thirsty already? Great! Lets taste a few of them since we’re there anyway. If you would like to join, you can indicate so during checkout, otherwise you area already free to checkout the rest of the town and witness the Carnival festivities.
Carnival festivities are taking place throughout the day, and actually already start as early as 7h00 when families and friends gather for a meal, after which they take part in the Shrove Sunday procession that starts around 15h00. This gives us ample time to enjoy our lunches and beers, see the lovely town with its fortifications and old buildings.
The big procession starts at 15h00 and lasts several hours. But the Carnival party continues until late at night. This is the high point of the day and you will be able to see it all. The Binche Tourist Office writes:
“Shrove Sunday is the most colourful day of the Carnival. The Gilles, Peasants, Pierrots and Alequins-to-be wear a fantasy costume, that has been imagined months ago and prepared in secret. From 7am the participants leave their home walking from door to door through the city in small groups, with the sound of the drums or the viola. The visitors can then admire the beauty and the originality of the “Sunday costumes”. After a meal with their family or their friends, the societies gather together again on the Eugène Derbaix square, near the station, for the Shrove Sunday procession. Accompanied by the drums and the brass instruments, they join the Wanderpepen Avenue and they finally split up at the Charles Deliège Avenue. After the procession the societies continues to walk the streets with music playing until the end of the evening. The sound of the drums will then give rhythm to the night.”
Please note that due to the vast number of people that come (from all over the world) to see this special Carnival, it will be virtually impossible to see it with a large group. Therefore it is advised to go through town in smaller groups. We will reconvene in the train itself to return to Brussels at 19h14. Just look for the “Réservé” stickers on the train windows to locate our seats. We return to Brussels Midi around 20h30 and we guarantee you will have had a fantastic day!
