Walloons

Walloons are an ethnic group native to Wallonia, the southern, primarily French-speaking region of Belgium. They constitute the largest population group in Wallonia and form a significant portion of Belgium’s French-speaking community. The term also refers to the regional language variety Walloon, a Romance language of the Langue d’oïl family, although today most Walloons speak French as their first language. Walloon remains present in some communities and in cultural expressions.

Geographically, Walloons inhabit Wallonia, which is one of the three federal regions of Belgium. The region has its own parliament and government and is distinct from the Dutch-speaking Flanders and the bilingual Brussels-C Capital Region. The Walloon population is substantial within Belgium, and there are diaspora communities in other countries as well.

Historically, Walloons emerged as a distinct population in the medieval and early modern periods in the southern Low Countries. The region experienced rapid industrial growth in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with coal and steel industries central to its urban landscapes and social life. Catholic cultural traditions, regional cuisine, music, and festivals remain notable aspects of Walloon identity.

In contemporary Belgium, French is the dominant language of administration and daily life in Wallonia, while the Walloon language holds regional cultural significance but is less widely used. The Walloons participate in Belgium’s federal structure as residents of one of its major regions, contributing to the country’s political, economic, and cultural landscape.