Blanc-Moussi roundabout

The history of the Stavelot Laetare and that of the Blanc Moussi are closely linked... The origin of the Blanc Moussi can be traced back to an edict issued by the prince-abbot of Stavelot Abbey, Guillaume de Manderscheidt, who, in 1499, forbade his monks to take part in the carnival. The Stavelotans, already rebellious at the time, made a mockery of this ban by taking part in the carnival festivities dressed as white monks from 1502 onwards. And so, every year on Mi-Carême Sunday, the 3rd Sunday before Easter, Stavelot welcomes tens of thousands of visitors to its great carnival procession of the Laetare.