Geneva Escalade

In the City of Calvin, which does not celebrate the Catholic carnival, the Fête de l'Escalade is not only an opportunity to remember the city’s history but also a time of togetherness. That is why l'Escalade is above all an everyman’s festival, the festival of the people of Geneva.

Cauldrons of soup and chocolate pots

It is also the opportunity to taste the famous chocolate pot in homage to the courage of 'Mère Royaume' who, legend has it, scalded an enemy with her cauldron of soup. Once the ritual phrase has been pronounced: 'Ainsi périrent les ennemis de la République' (so die the enemies of the Republic), custom dictates that the oldest and youngest individuals present break the pot together to discover the marzipan vegetables and sweets inside accompanied by little firecrackers.

Historical parades

During the weekend closest to the date of the festival, parades representing those distant days commemorate the victory to the sound of fife and drum. Halberdiers, arquebusiers, horsemen and historical characters parade through the streets in medieval costumes. Demonstrations of musket fire, canon fire and handling a halberd are also organised.

Source: https://www.geneve.ch/en/what-geneva/discover-geneva-districts/geneva-through-ages/history-escalade/