Next: 11 to 13 Dec 2026
L'Escalade
Geneva's costumed march and the smashing of a chocolate cauldron full of marzipan vegetables.
When is L'Escalade in 2026?
L'Escalade 2026 runs from 11 to 13 December 2026. Other years: 2027, 11 to 13 December 2027; 2028, 11 to 13 December 2028.
About L'Escalade
L'Escalade commemorates the night of 11 to 12 December 1602, when the Duke of Savoy's troops tried to scale the walls of Geneva with ladders and were repelled by the citizens. In the legend, the mother of the Republic, Mère Royaume, poured a pot of hot soup over the attackers. Each year in December, thousands of Genevans dress in period costume, as soldiers, townspeople and horsemen, and march through the old town by torchlight, to the sound of drums and fifes, in a procession. At home, families take a chocolate cauldron, filled with marzipan vegetables, and the youngest and the eldest smash it together while crying "Ainsi périrent les ennemis de la République". Everyone shares the pieces. There is also a run through the old town.
L'Escalade dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | L'Escalade date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 to 13 December 2026 |
| 2027 | 11 to 13 December 2027 |
| 2028 | 11 to 13 December 2028 |
What is eaten
- chocolate cauldron
- marzipan vegetables
- soupe
Also part of it, and being written: Escalade (The 1602 event.), Marmite de l'Escalade (The chocolate cauldron.), Geneva (The city of the festival.).
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Escalade (Geneva)" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.