Tourist Guide Mons Region

TOURIST GUIDE MONS REGION 2 0 15 - 2 0 1 6 © visitMons Gregory Mathelot

MONS REGIONAL TOURIST OFFICE

IN 2015, I’M VISITING MONS AND ITS REGION And you?

Boussu, Colfontaine, Frameries, Hensies, Honnelles, Jurbise, Lens, Mons, Quaregnon, Quévy, Quiévrain, Saint-Ghislain

Grand-Place, 27 - 7000 Mons - Belgique Tel : +32 (0) 65/33.55.80 Fax : +32 (0) 65/35.63.36 info.tourisme@ville.mons.be www.visitMons.be facebook.com/visitmons

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@visitmons

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#visitmons

Pinterest.com/visitmons

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©Frédéric_Raevens

www.visitmons.be TOURIST GUIDE MONS REGION 2015 – 2016 Grand-Place 27 - 7000 Mons Tél : +32 (0) 65/33.55.80 Fax : +32 (0) 65/35.63.36 Website : www.visitmons.be E-mail : info.tourisme@ville.mons.be Published by the Mons Region Tourist Office Production : Quentin Dardenne – Tamara Marinkovic – Tiziana Pitzalis – Sophie Demeester Responsible Publisher : Natacha Vandenberghe Printed by : IPM Printing Graphics : Olivier Surin - www.phenixgraphic.be The timetables, prices and information in this guide are provided for information only, on the basis of the data given by the respective facilities in September 2014. In no way does this guide constitute a contract, and the publisher cannot be held responsible for changes made after publication. The Tourist Office is not responsible for any mistakes, unintentional omissions or later modifications, which may occur in spite of all the care taken by the Tourist Office. The Tourist Office wishes to thank its partners as well as the people who participated in the production of this guide. Copyright Photos: Mons Region Tourist Office (except where otherwise noted).

With the support of the General Commission for Tourism of the Walloon Region and the Federation of Tourism of the Province of Hainaut

Hainaut Tourisme Rue des Clercs 31 - 7000 MONS Tel : +32 (0) 65/36.04.64 - Fax : +32 (0) 65/33.57.32 www.hainauttourisme.be - federation.tourisme@hainaut.be

© Copyright: visitMons-Grégory Mathelot

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Fancy a city trip to Mons, European Capital of Culture? Tempted by its rich history and outstanding museums? The city of Mons offers an original combination of the romantic and the modern with its truly exceptional heritage, but also some very innovative projects. The Mons Tourist Office has a wide range of options available and can give you 2015 ways of visiting Mons and the surrounding area! Just contact us to turn your dreams into a unique, made-to-measure trip. www.visitMons.be facebook.com/visitmons @visitmons Youtube.com/visitmons #visitmons Pinterest.com/visitmons

visitMons Grand-Place, 27 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/33.55.80 info.tourisme@ville.mons.be Download the visitMons application from Apple Store and Android Market.

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EDITORIAL At the heart of Europe, the urban area of Mons is home to 250,000 people who are ready and waiting to welcome you, looking forward to the idea of an extraordinary year in 2015, where the focus will be on putting on an impressive show.

A unique project, a fabulous opportunity, the impressive show of “Mons 2015, European Capital of Culture”.

At the heart of this colourful region, Mons is a warm city known for its arts education that remembers its past and looks forward to its future.

It strives to be the standard-bearer for a region that has been renamed for 2015: Grand Huit and Grand Ouest. Grand Huit is Mons and its 19 municipalities; Grand Ouest is for the 12 municipalities that make up the region: Boussu, Colfontaine, Dour, Frameries, Hensies, Honnelles, Jurbise, Lens, Quaregnon, Quévy, Quiévrain and Saint-Ghislain.

From the Borinage to the Hauts-Pays, via the rural areas of Jurbise and Lens, our region is home to vibrant talents and individuals who will make your stay unforgettable. Grand Huit and Grand Ouest are a new way of seeing the region… all your desires joined together in one place that is making its mark on the European map.

As well as this, Mons and the surrounding region boast an unusual physical and intangible heritage with 4 listings with UNESCO: the Belfry in Mons, the Neolithic mines at Spiennes, the traditional Ducasse de Mons and the site of the Grand-Hornu… not forgetting the archives of the Mundaneum – the paper Google – which are also listed on UNESCO’s “Memory of the World” register.

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During this exceptional year, you will have the chance to explore new museums, such as the Doudou Museum, Silex’s, the Mons Memorial Museum, the Arthotèque, Arsonic, the site of the Belfry and the Château de Boussu. Not forgetting the unmissable François Duesberg Museum or the Pass, a fantastic invitation to ask some educational and cultural questions.

You will also have access to a whole host of unique events throughout the municipalities in the Grand Huit and the Grand Ouest that are playing an active role in this year which is all about culture and technological innovation. A 4-stage explosion of events for Mons 2015.

It is also a lush green landscape, perfect for walks, and a land packed with character and fine food. In all four corners of the region you can discover some of our official Mons 2015 restaurants and producers, or try some local delicacies in our Bistrots de Terroir.

Last but not least, it is a thriving economic zone, a region that keeps on moving forward, keen to give you a warm welcome during “Mons 2015, European Capital of Culture”, and of course, beyond.

So what are you waiting for? Come and visit, plan and explore the beauty of a region with its arms open wide, offering something for everyone.

We hope you enjoy this guide.

Joëlle KAPOMPOLE

Nicolas MARTIN

Mons Tourist Office

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I

n preparing this new edition of the Tourist Guide, the Tourist Office has worked with Passe-Muraille ASBL to check... the accessibility of tourist attractions for disabled visitors and to provide as much accessibility information as possible, among others for reduced-mobility and vision-impaired visitors.

To do this, Passe-Muraille ASBL works to create dialogue and exchanges with the general public by developing cultural and educational action programmes in Belgium and France.

The goal is to inform, educate and raise awareness of disabled people, but also to refine approaches to them and thus stimulate thinking about differences.

Since 1998, Passe-Muraille ASBL has been working to achieve two main objectives : To encourage and improve disabled people’s right to citizenship and to promote all forms of accessibility (to education... of accessibility (to education, to relationships, to buildings, to architecture to culture and to information, etc.).

ASBL PASSE MURAILLE Place du BĂŠguinage, 3 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/77.03.70 www.passe-muraille.be

Disabledaccess car park

People with pushchairs

People with learning difficulties

Disabled toilets

Elderly people

People with impaired vision: the blind and those with visual impairments

Accessible with assistance

Sign-language interpretation

Audio-description

Wheelchair access

Magnetic induction loop

People accompanying the disabled

Grand-Place, 27 - 7000 Mons - Belgique Tel : +32 (0) 65/33.55.80 Fax : +32 (0) 65/35.63.36 info.tourisme@ville.mons.be www.visitMons.be

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CONTENTS EDITORIAL

.............................................................................................. 1

MONS 2015, EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE Headlines Things to discover

Leisure, sports & wellbeing

Overnight accommodation

......................................... 4

MONS - GRAND HUIT ................................................................. 10 PARKS & GARDENS ............................................................... 48 SPORTS & LEISURE .................................................................. 50 SHOPPING ...................................................................................54 LEISURE & WELLBEING ........................................................... 58 WHERE TO GO? ........................................................................ 60 WHERE TO EAT? ........................................................................ 64 WHERE TO SLEEP? .................................................................... 68 CALENDAR ................................................................................... 74 MONS REGION - GRAND OUEST ......................................... 80

Places to eat

Calendar

Information

Crafts and traditional food & drink

Nightlife

Gifts

SAINT-GHISLAIN ...................................................................... 82 QUAREGNON ............................................................................ 86 HENSIES ........................................................................................ 90 LENS................................................................................................. 92 JURBISE ......................................................................................... 94 BOUSSU ........................................................................................ 98 PARC NATUREL DES HAUTS-PAYS ................................ 104 HONNELLES ...............................................................................106 COLFONTAINE ......................................................................... 110 FRAMERIES ................................................................................. 114 QUIÉVRAIN................................................................................. 120 QUÉVY .......................................................................................... 122 DOUR............................................................................................ 126 PRACTICAL INFORMATION

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MONS 2015

FROM MONS TO

Š Olivier Donnet

Brussels ...................................................56 Km Namur ...................................................... 76 Km Gent ................................................ 92 Km Antwerp ........................................103 Km Bruges ............................................119 Km Cologne........................................ 242 Km Paris.............................................. 250 Km Amsterdam.................................. 275 Km London ......................................... 337 Km By train: Brussels is linked to Mons by two trains an hour. You will find national timetables on ww.belgianrail.be. There is also a daily direct Thalys high-speed train from Paris to Mons: www.thalys.com By air: Brussels South Charleroi Airport, 30 minutes from the centre of Mons, serves almost 100 international destinations. More information on: www.charleroi-airport.com.

Zaventem Airport is 50 minutes from Mons (hourly direct trains) and serves 41 long-haul and 163 short-haul destinations.

More information on: www.brusselsairport.be

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MONS 2015,

EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE M

ons is going to be the 2015 European Capital of Culture. Look forward to a jam-packed programme of artistic and cultural festivities of all kinds, including major international exhibitions dedicated to European geniuses discovered by this city, from Van Gogh to Verlaine, plus a blossoming museum network. There are five new museums to add to the Conference Centre designed by the architect responsible (Libeskind) for Ground Zero in New York, plus a station which is currently under construction (Calatrava). International creative talent is everywhere, thanks in no small part to all the new technology that is revolutionising the planet.

As far as Mons 2015 is concerned, art is also about celebration. It doesn’t just enrich the thriving traditions of Mons, it also transforms the city, with artists contributing to give public spaces a new look. And so culture is challenged to reinvent its relationship with society. A similar participative approach inspires projects in neighbouring regions, where the people and the local community join forces to reinvent their history. This shockwave moves out in concentric circles to take over the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, Flanders and Northern France. 17 partner towns and cities will be joining in with this year of culture. All this is based on a sense of pride, a new governance and a powerful network that will guarantee the long-term legacy of Mons 2015.

MONS 2015

Š Olivier Donnet

The metamorphosis has already begun !

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DARE TO EMBRACE THE METAMORPHOSIS In four stages. With 300 major events out of around a thousand cultural and artistic activities, Mons 2015, European Capital of Culture, is ready to conjure up some fantastical stories and summon up plenty of light and a huge heap of amazement. To open new venues, share unique atmospheres, experience long-haul urban adventures. And to enjoy all this with locals from Mons, from the Borinage, and the residents of 18 partner towns, from Lille to Ghent. On your marks, get set, go!

Start!

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© Kröller-Müller museum

© Droits réservés

© Droits-réservés

1.

Surprise(S)!

THE GREAT REVEAL THE DAZZLING In the beginning, there was dazzle. With the Opening Festival and 18,000 of its visitors transformed into mirror balls, then the urban installations, like this Phrase that runs along the walls, it’s a permanent event in Mons. A city that long ago inspired Van Gogh while he embraced the career we are familiar with, as well as a thousand other creators. The major exhibitions at the Borinage and Mons Superstar are an acoustic echo of this. Mons is also the world of tomorrow and Café Europa, a laboratory for technology and the new creative economy, and the VIA Festival, that wagers on the power of the image to re-invent the performing arts.

Dazzled? It’s only just started!

It’s time for the great reveal, with unexpected urban events (a cascade of books falling out of a window!) and a horde of performers making trouble in the City at play. At the same time, Mons has connected together five new museums to centralise its rich artistic heritage, making the most of “memorial tourism” and promoting three of its star attractions, the three sites classified by UNESCO. A chance to re-discover the Neolithic mine workings at Spiennes, the only baroque belfry in Europe, and the “Doudou”, the irresistible Ducasse of Mons. Not forgetting the inauguration of ARSONIC, a concert hall offering free access to a meditation chapel! It’s also the spring season for contemporary artists, with Atopolis, their heterogeneous, switched-on city. Breathtaking!

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Summertime

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© MairieDK

© MON(S) IDEAL.

© art-point-m

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Revolution!

The summer becomes visibly hotter, with a maze of 7500 real sunflowers in the GrandPlace, an allusion to Van Gogh, and a myriad of simultaneous outdoor activities unfurling in towns and institutions in partnership with Mons 2015, such as the Picard-speaking area of Wallonia (Tournai) with the Four Hundred Blows of Mr. Zo. This will appeal to all your senses, particularly at the “Festival au Carré”, which lines up the Seven Tragedies of Sophocles and the tragic voice of Bertrand Cantat. Even China will be there, with its avant-garde monumental sculptures. A good reason for a real feast, the first for the United Artists of Mons, and the sixth for the Chiefs from Crazy Sunday. Guaranteed Made in Mons.

RENAISSANCE The Renaissance is not just the objective of Mons 2015 for the region, it’s also a return to its Golden Age with Roland de Lassus and Jacques Du Broeucq. The Montois musician and artist had the kings of the 16th century at their feet, including Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor…

Today it’s the turn of 800 of the modern citizens of Mons, gathered before Saint Waltrude to sing the Great Clamour in homage to Lassus. At the same time, Lille 3000 is celebrating its own “Renaissance” with its art of de-compartmentalising culture and involving everyone. Isn’t this the watchword of Mon(s) Idéal? After a year of warming up, the younger generation can now take the keys of the city, and their own destinies, into their hands. Saint George, revisited by the contemporary artists of MAC’s, is with them!

MONS 2015

BLAZING SUMMER

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GRAND HUIT AND GRAND OUEST

IN MONS 2015 O

ne of the many participative projects that make up Mons 2015, the Grand Huit divides the 19 former municipalities of greater Mons into 8 festive regions. A long-term creative project, put together with local inhabitants, will be exported to the Grand Ouest of the 12 municipalities of the Borinage. Artists on the streets of Spiennes? Artistic bike rides on the paths of Ghlin? Design workshops in Flénu? Storytelling in Harveng? Photographic portraits of the inhabitants of Boussu? There are still plenty of ideas to bring to life… Come and make things happen with us, and let’s celebrate together. Reveal your inner artistic self!

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© visitMons Gregory Mathelot

Contact us! + 32 (0)65/36.2015 or contact@mons2015.eu www.mons2015.eu

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MONS 2015,

© Kröller-Müller museum

AN EXPLOSION OF EXHIBITIONS 2015 programme: Don’t miss!

MONS SUPERSTAR !

IDEAS AND MEN

24 January - 12 April 2015 Anciens Abattoirs

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VAN GOGH IN THE BORINAGE : 25 January - 17 May 2015 BAM (Beaux-Arts Mons) THE BIRTH OF AN ARTIST

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VOIR CLAIR

14 February - 17 May 2015 Salle Saint-Georges

HOLLYWOOD AT THE FOOT OF THE SLAG HEAP

21 February - 17 May 2015 Frigo des Abattoirs

A NUMBER, A DESTINY. IN NAPOLEON’S SERVICE

13 June - 27 Sept. 2015

NAPOLÉON, PATRON OF THE ARTS

21 Sept. 2014 - 18 June 2015 Musée François Duesberg

ATOPOLIS

13 June - 18 Oct. 2015

Manège de Sury

MONSENS. OUTSIDER ART PAST AND PRESENT & INTERACTION

20 June - 6 Sept. 2015

BAM (Beaux-Arts Mons)

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Mons Memorial Museum

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FERVENT CHINA CONTEMPORARY MONUMENTAL SCULPTURES

4 July - 4 Oct. 2015

Anciens Abattoirs

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10/11/17/18 Oct. 2015

En ville

VERLAINE, CELL 252 POETIC TURBULENCES

17 Oct. 2015 - 24 Jan. 2016 BAM (Beaux-Arts Mons)

PARADE SAUVAGE THROUGH THE SIXTIES

17 Oct. – 24 Jan. 2016

THE MAN, THE DRAGON AND THE DEATH

18 Oct. 2015–17 Jan. 2016

CÉDRIC GERBEHAYE

7 Nov. 2015 – 3 Jan. 2016

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© visitMons Gregory Mathelot

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BAM (Beaux-Arts Mons)

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MAC’s

MONS 2015

UNDER-40 ROUTE

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Salle Saint-Georges

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MONS

© visitMons Gregory Mathelot

THE GRAND HUIT

MONS 2015

THE GRAND HUIT Hyon, Cuesmes, Flénu, Ghlin, Maisières, Havré, Harmignies, Mons.

Dances accompanied by accordions or country music and festive banquets, poetic or sporting routes to explore on foot, by horse, on a bike or in a pushchair, intriguing events in surprising locations, hidden heritage and mysterious legends, wellbeing centres for sound massages and navy tattoos, the Grand

Huit is all this and more! Local events for curious tourists and large families, from exercise, humour and fine food to artistic creativity, gardening and genealogy workshops for kids and knitting lessons for grown-ups...

Let your imagination run wild with 8 themes packed into one week designed with and for the people of Mons!

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© visitMons Gregory Mathelot

MONS,

CITY OF ART T

he considerable attractions offered by Mons led to its designation as Cultural Capital of Wallonia in 2002. In 2015, the city will have the distinct honour of being the Cultural Capital of Europe. Mons is the largest city in the Province of Hainaut, and serves as the province’s administrative and judicial centre. However, more recently, its primary aim has been to safeguard its heritage and to share it better with the growing numbers of tourists who visit the area. Three major masterpieces, the Belfry, the Neolithic flint mines at Spiennes and the Doudou, all of which have been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, can be found in and around Mons.

In the historic heart of the city there are museums and great historical buildings, such as the imposing St Waltrude’s Collegiate Church, the Gothic-style Town Hall dating back to the grand era of the Dukes of Burgundy, and the unique, 87-metre-high Baroque Belfry.

We must also not forget the Doudou, an event full of popular and religious symbolism deeply rooted in the past. Its various components, such as the Procession of the Car d’Or (Golden coach), which has taken place every year since the 14th century, and the Battle of Lumeçon, a re-enactment of St George’s legendary fight with the dragon, attract tens of thousands of spectators each year on Trinity Sunday. Though its feet are firmly planted in its rich past, the city’s eyes are focused on the future. The Initialis Science Park has attracted thirty or so up-and-coming businesses, specialising in fields such as biochemistry, telecommunications, civil engineering and information technologies.

MONS

There are many other fine examples of religious, civic and military buildings, the oldest of which date back to the 11th century. However, it would be a mistake to limit ourselves to the city centre, as there are many other attractions in the city’s lovely green surroundings, including the GrandLarge marina, the Neolithic flint mines at Spiennes and the Van Gogh House.

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BAM (Beaux-Arts Mons)

For this year of the European Capital of Culture, the BAM invites you to discover renowned artists including Van Gogh, and Paul Verlaine.

The BAM (Beaux-Arts Mons) is a fantastic museum to visit, each year hosting a number of exhibitions in a space covering some 2,000m². They give visitors the chance to discover an artist, an artistic movement or a theme connected to the museum’s collections, boasting more than 15,000 works of art. The BAM is designed to be a unique experience, a place where you can discover artistic creativity in all its forms, as well as a living venue packed with events throughout the year. This unashamedly contemporary architectural project combines all the functional practicalities of a museum with fantastic aesthetics, where the architecture creates light, bright spaces dedicated to transparency.

Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm.

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Intramuros bus routes A, B and C Stop : Grand-Place

Rue Neuve, 8 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/40.53.30 www.bam.mons.be

© M.C Deldicque

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Admission (variable depending on the exhibitions): 15€, 12€, 9€ / 12€, 9€, 6€

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© Studio Philippe de Formanoir

2015 programme Van Gogh in the Borinage: the birth of an artist 25 January – 17 May 2015. During his stay in the Borinage and Mons, which lasted about two years (1878-1880), Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) brought an end to his career as a pastor and chose to live as an artist. In Belgium, he quickly developed a preference for themes drawn from the everyday lives of peasants and workers. The exhibition brings together some 70 paintings and drawings from different international collections and a number of original letters written by Van Gogh when he was in the Borinage and in Brussels, which have rarely been seen by the public.

MONSens. Outsider Art Past and Present & Interaction 20 june – 6 September 2015. This exhibition combines two projects illustrating the evolution of the perception and appreciation of creations produced on the fringes of the art world. The first part of the exhibition takes a historic and contemporary approach to the “meaning” of the work of art for the creative talents who worked in an institutional setting. The pieces, chosen from important collections of outsider art in Belgium and abroad, will enter into a dialogue with contemporary creations produced by isolated workshops and artists in the Mons region. The second part, “Interaction”, brings together renowned contemporary Belgian and international artists with residents from several Foyers du Carrosse around the theme of artistic creativity. A number of different creative concepts will come out of these unique encounters, during which the focus will be on getting involved.

© M.C Deldicque

Parade sauvage Through the Sixties 17 October 2015 – 24 January 2016. In this exhibition, it isn’t ink or paint brushes but rather monumental sculptures showcasing the new relationship that contemporary Chinese artists have with the three dimensional nature of sculpture and all the different materials involved. Some twenty artists will fill the space of the Anciens Abattoirs, from the Grande Halle to the Frigo, via the garden, combining to create an impressive whole.

MONS

Verlaine, Cell 252 - Poetic turbulences 17 October 2015 – 24 January 2016. This exhibition should be approached like an epic novel and begins with the dispute between Arthur Rimbaud (1854-1891) and Paul Verlaine (1844-1896), and the gunshot that was at the root of the case against Verlaine. The story then moves to Mons prison, where Verlaine wrote most of his masterpieces between 1873 and 1875. We follow his story until after his release when he was recognised by his peers. This epic is illustrated by some 200 documents, most of which are little-known to the public and some of which have never been seen before: letters, original photos, drawings, paintings and sculptures, as well as newspaper articles and official documents.

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The current chapel was built in 1601 to replace an older chapel, of which part of the 14thcentury apse remains, and it was restored in the early 20th century. Several religious confraternities used to meet in the chapel, the most famous of which was the Brotherhood of St George. The Hall was used for a variety of non-religious purposes, including the

Open: Tuesday to Friday, 10 am - 6pm.

Admission : 2€ / 1€ Intramuros bus routes A, B and C Stop : Grand-Place

Grand-Place - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/40.52.06 ou +32 (0) 65/40.53.12 polemuseal@ville.mons.be www.sallesaintgeorges.mons.be

2015 programme Voir clair 14 February – 17 May 2015. Jean Marie Mahieu has always lived in the Borinage where the notion of mining, bringing things to the surface, from the darkness into the light has always been part of his approach. “A return to the roots, umber, halftones, I reinvent places of remembrance,” he says. Today/yesterday, he examines the subject in great detail, with photography, painting and new mediums. We wanted to showcase an artist from our hometown who has also been marked by our region and its history. The exhibition, according to the agreed principle: “BORINAGE, BORINAGE,…”

© visitMons - Gregory Mathelot

Located at the heart of the city, this hall was historically linked to the nearby Town Hall and hosts exhibitions on cultural and social themes. Built in the Baroque style, it was originally the mayor’s chapel; the first Mass for the city’s officials was celebrated here. The officials would follow the church services from the State Room, above the Hall. The chapel is linked to the Town Hall’s Gothic Room by double doors.

drawing of lotteries and the announcement of election results, before becoming an exhibition space.

© Elisa Vande Graaf

St George’s Hall

Cédric Gerbehaye 7 November 2015 – 3 January 2016. Using photographic research and meetings/ partnerships with the Mons 2015 Foundation’s partner towns, the documentary photographer, a member of the Vu Agency, sets out to explore Belgium from the perspective of the everyday. Using photography as an analysis tool, as an instrument which, even if it doesn’t demonstrate anything, lets us ask real questions and open minds and sensitivities.

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Old Slaughterhouses The scale and architecture of this building is impressive. Open to the public since 2006, the Old Slaughterhouses host temporary events and exhibitions of contemporary art. It is also the home of the World Crafts CouncilBF (www.wcc-bf.org), dedicated to the applied arts

Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 12 noon – 6pm.

Admission (variable depending on the exhibitions): 5€, 4€ Intramuros bus routes B Stop : rue de Bertaimont Rue de la Trouille, 17 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/56.20.34 ou +32 (0) 65/40.53.12. polemuseal@ville.mons.be www.abattoirs.mons.be

2015 programme

Hollywood at the foot of the slagheap / Frigo des anciens Abattoirs 1 February – 17 May 2015. 60 years before the exhibition entitled “Van Gogh in the Borinage” came to the BAM in 2015, Vincente Minnelli and Kirk Douglas filmed “Lust for Life” in Wasmes, Hornu and Saint Ghislain, the very places where the painter had lived 75 years before. A campaign inviting contributions from witnesses helped us rediscover some of the extras and people who were present on the set. Through archive documents and witness accounts, the exhibition will plunge visitors into the emotional heart of these 10 days of filming that brought Hollywood to the foot of the slag heap!

Fervent China / Contemporary Monumental Sculptures 4 July – 4 October 2015. This original new exhibition will give visitors the opportunity to discover internationally renowned and emerging Chinese artists through some twenty monumental pieces. This exhibition will showcase an as-yet relatively unknown aspect of contemporary Chinese art: the importance of sculpture and its links both with traditional Chinese thought and with more avant-garde forms and research that feed into new generations.

MONS

© visitMons - Gregory Mathelot

© Elisa Vande Graaf

Mons Superstar ! Ideas and Men 24 January – 12 April 2015. Well worth a visit to look at the destinies of great men and women at the heart of the city and the surrounding region, the Mons Superstar exhibition is a fantastic start to this European year of culture. A journey through time from the energy that marks Mons to the discovery of the crazy or calculated risks, whether or not they paid off, taken by passionate inventors, committed idealists or pragmatic engineers who all helped to shape the city and the region. The exhibition will offer a decidedly interactive experience, with a treasure hunt, lots to discover, expertise and history to explore from the basements of the city up to the stars, via orchards of pear trees. Take a deep breath and dive into the heart of Mons, the Superstar.

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Doudou Museum Open: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

Due to open: spring 2015 Admission : 9€ / 6€ Intramuros bus routes A, B and C Stop : Grand-Place

Grand-Place (Jardin du Maïeur) - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/40.53.12 polemuseal@ville.mons.be www.museedudoudou.mons.be

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© visitMons - Gregory Mathelot

© visitMons - Gregory Mathelot

Using items from collections belonging to the City of Mons’ museums along with a range of technological devices, this space will invite visitors to explore the Ducasse de Mons, recognised by UNESCO in 2005. This incredible heritage illustrates the enthusiasm and investment of hundreds of people who work so hard every year to make sure this tradition continues and is passed down to future generations.

Balancing the fine line between reality and the imagination, the centre will also attempt to understand and promote the different aspects of this universal, multi-century story.

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© H & V Holoffe Vermeersch

© H and V Holoffe Vermeersch

SILEX’S

Nestled in a lush green setting, the Silex’S is an interpretation centre dedicated to the Neolithic mines in Spiennes. Due to open in April 2015, it will introduce visitors to all aspects of this archaeological site with an international reputation. Educational walks outside, a tour of the exhibition space and a trip down into one of the Neolithic mines are some of the activities that will be offered to visitors.

Open: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

Seasonal opening from April to November Admission : 9€ / 6€ Starting from Mons station; take bus route 134 heading to MONS-GIVRY-ERQUELINNESBEAUMONT, Spiennes Church stop (16 mins.).

Walk to the junction of RUE DU PETIT SPIENNES/RUE DU POINT DU JOUR (14 mins.).

Irregular bus line. Check times at www.tec.be.

Rue du Point du Jour – 7032 Spiennes Tel : +32 (0) 65/40.53.12 polemuseal@ville.mons.be www.silexs.mons.be

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© visitMons - Gregory Mathelot

Recognised by UNESCO in 2000, the archaeological site at Spiennes is one of the oldest and largest flint mine centres in Europe.

Studded with thousands of shafts, the site covers 100 hectares and is 6km from the City of Mons. By digging down mine shafts up to 16 metres deep, prehistoric man developed the techniques needed to extract large slabs of slate that could weigh up to hundreds of kilograms. They also honed their knapping expertise which is now recognised as an example of human ingenuity.

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Mons Memorial Museum

Open: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

Due to open: spring 2015

This museum space will invite visitors of all ages to question the multiple complex realities of war. More than just an exhibition space, this new museum is keen to become a venue where people from all generations will be able to come and meet and interact right in the heart of a Memorial Region marked by the two world wars that turned the 20th century upside down. Through the fates of the men and women who witnessed events, visitors will be immersed in the day-to-day lives of soldiers and civilians in times of war.

Admission : 9€ / 6€

Intramuros bus routes A, B and C Stop : Cour Dolez

© Atelier d’architecture Pierre

© VilledeMons – R. Noviello.

Boulevard Dolez - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/40.53.12 polemuseal@ville.mons.be www.monsmemorialmuseum.mons.be

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© L’Escaut-Gigogne

Open: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

Due to open: spring 2015 Admission : 6€ / 4€

Intramuros bus routes A, B and C Stop : Place Léopold ou rue de la Houssière

Rue Claude de Bettignies, 3 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/40.53.12 polemuseal@ville.mons.be www.artotheque.mons.be

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The chapel of the Couvent des Ursulines will become the home of Mons’ municipal heritage by showcasing the works of art and activities around them. Right at the heart of the Pôle Muséal, it will be a venue dedicated to preserving, researching, restoring and studying our heritage, bringing together all the municipality’s collections in one place. As well as its commitment to conservation, the Artothèque will also play a significant role in the promotion of Mons’ heritage by making it accessible virtually thanks to the virtual Artothèque, as well as by revealing the behind-the-scenes work that goes on in museums.

© L’Escaut-Gigogne

Artothèque

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François Duesberg Museum

a unique multi-cultural adventure!

This museum is housed in one of Belgium’s most beautiful 19th-century buildings, formerly occupied by the National Bank of Belgium. It is a wonderful testimony to the work of Baron François Duesberg and his wife, both meticulous, passionate art collectors, who built up an impressive collection of decorative art objects during their long lives. Thanks to the support of Mr Elie François Duesberg and his wife, Mons is now lucky enough to have an

The François Duesberg Museum has 2 stars in the famous Michelin guide, which also gives 2 stars to its stunning collection of clocks. The Baron and Baroness François Duesberg galleries in the Grand Curtius museum in Liège, which house other pieces from their collection, also have 2 stars, taking the total to an impressive 6… just in case you needed proof of the exceptional quality of this private collection!

© C. Carpentier

© C. Carpentier

© C. Carpentier

The only museum in Mons with 2 stars in the Michelin Guide!

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Un musée exceptionnel au raffinement inégalé. Un incroyable mariage de l’Art du Temps et de l’Art de la Table !

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internationally-renowned venue dedicated to neo-Classical art from between 1775 and 1825.

The prestigious collection of exotic clocks (17951815) is one of the largest in the world and contains some really exceptional pieces including the stunning Paul et Virginie clock by the famous bronzesmith Thomire, commissioned by the Emperor Napoleon in 1802.

Admission : 5€ Intramuros bus routes A, B and C Stop : Place Léopold ou rue de la Houssière

Square Franklin Roosevelt, 12 - 7000 Mons Tel. : +32 (0) 65/36.31.64 Fax : +32 (0) 65/84.40.70 francois.duesberg@skynet.be

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© C. Carpentier

The theme of the “noble savage”, nurtured by Defoe (Robinson Crusoe), Bernardin de St-Pierre (Paul et Virginie) and Chateaubriand (Atala) is explored in this magnificent collection, which is well worth a visit. The museum also includes a remarkable collection of porcelain by the best manufacturers from Paris and Brussels, as well as exquisite gold and gilt-bronze pieces, antique jewellery (including some stunning cameos) and an array of incredibly rare and fascinating other objects.

Open : Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 7pm.

Guided tours by arrangement – please contact the Curator, Baron François Duesberg.

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© visitMons - Gregory Mathelot

The house where Vincent Van Gogh lived between August 1879 and October 1880 was saved from falling into disrepair in the 1970s.

Open to the public since 2007, it has become a key destination for Van Gogh fans in Europe. It is widely believed that Van Gogh’s time in the Borinage, where he worked as a Protestant evangelist, was an important factor in his decision to become a painter.

The house pays tribute to Van Gogh, providing plenty of information about the man who went on to become a famous artist.

Times: seasonal opening from April to November, Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm until 6pm January to May 2015, as part of the Van Gogh exhibition, open Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm until 6pm

May to December 2015: open Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm until 6pm Admission : 4€ / 3€

Starting from Mons station; take bus route 1 heading to MONS-CUESMES-FRAMERIESWASMES-STGHISLAIN, CUESMES Place stop (8 mins.) Walk to the junction of RUE DU CHEMIN DE FER/RUE DU PAVILLON (5 mins.).

© Droits réservés

Van Gogh House

Rue du Pavillon, 3 - 7033 Cuesmes Tel : +32 (0) 65/35.56.11 polemuseal@ville.mons.be www.maisonvangogh.mons.be

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Van Gogh Routes Hainaut Tourism offers three different ways of following in the painter’s footsteps in Mons and the rest of the region.

Walk in Wasmes (+- 10 km / 6.2 mi) Head to the Place de Wasmes for a circular 10km route to the different locations where Van Gogh lived and worked, as well as some other highlights the region has to offer, such as the Marcasse colliery, where Vincent made his way 700m underground.

The highpoint of the walk will be the top of spoil heap no. 6 at Hornu-Wasmes, which is now part of the Natagora nature reserve.

Walk in Cuesmes and Flénu (+- 10 km / 6.2 mi) Make your way to Van Gogh’s home in Cuesmes, the isolated building in the marshland that is the departure point for a walk through the streets of Cuesmes and Flénu.

Bike ride through the Borinage (+- 50 km / 31 mi) Visitors keen to get a complete overview of Vincent Van Gogh’s time in the Borinage can explore the area by bike from the station (bikes can be hired from the Maison des Cyclistes) or the Grand-Place in Mons.

The circular route takes in places associated with Vincent Van Gogh, as well as the stunning landscape and some of the cultural and tourist highlights of the Borinage.

Tip The Tourist Office offers guided tours of following Vincent Van Gogh’s footsteps in the Mons Region. Info: +32 (0) 65/35.34.88

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© Droits réservés

These routes will be available in the form of guides that can be downloaded on to a GPS at www.tourismegps.be

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Magasin de papier

© Ville de Mons

Opened in September 2012, the Magasin de Papier is an exhibition space with a contemporary feel offering an eclectic programme essentially focusing on local and regional visual arts.

For creative talents and visual artists based in Mons and the surrounding region, this is a unique opportunity to present their work.

Some fantastic synergies have come out of this space, with artist collectives and Arts², Mons’ arts college.

Open : Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 pm.

Admission : free Intramuros bus routes B and C Stop : Grand-Place

Rue de la Clef, 26 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/40.53.12 polemuseal@ville.mons.be www.magasindepapier.mons.be

2015 programme Ephemeral eternity 16 January - 11 March 2015. Discover Caroline Léger’s ephemeral installations, created using textiles, seeds and water, depending on the place, the weather or the season. The artist is constantly experimenting with plant life and holds on to the memory of her installations with photography.

Like I Dislike 27 March - 24 May 2015. Dive into Like I Dislike, a work in progress, based on the creation of a Facebook page – given the alternative title, “Sketchbook”. By infiltrating this social networking site, the Touchic collective hopes to sow the seeds of doubt and trouble, with double meanings and deviation.

Le Grand Large, Conceptual Territory 19 June - 27 September 2015. Discover the lithographs and flags designed by 24 Belgian and international artists. The flags create a dialogue with the works on paper.

These works of art will be on display in public spaces, and the exhibition at the Magasin de Papier will include all the original prints and flag projects.

Light of House 24 October - 17 January 2016. Step inside the Light House, a space which, for this exhibition, will become the stage for a “sound and light” experience illustrating an unlikely experience. Like a ghost train, this installation will plunge you into darkness; while sounds and illuminated animations create a spectacular atmosphere.

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© IRP

Maison Losseau

literature from Hainault, plus a space for temporary exhibitions.

Maison Losseau is a neo-classical mansion converted early in the XXth century by the architect Paul Saintenoy at the instigation of Léon Losseau. Maison Losseau today bears remarkable witness to Art Nouveau, with numerous components typical of the Horta style, such as the large glass roofs with visible ironwork. The site also boasts a magnificent garden and will soon have a centre for

Group visits by reservation.

Intramuros bus route A Stop : rue de Nimy MAISON LOSSEAU Rue de Nimy, 37 - 7000 Mons Tel : + 32(0)65/36.26.96 francoise.delmez@gmail.com

Built in 1854, in the neo-mediaeval style, the Sury Riding Stables were originally a cavalry establishment. Occupied for many years by the emergency services. It now belongs to IDEA and major works are under way. I 2015, the site will be converted again, this time into a centre for temporary exhibitions, and from 2016 will be used by young companies.

Group visits by reservation.

Intramuros bus route A Stop : rue de Nimy

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Sury Riding Stables

MANÈGE DE SURY Rue des Droits de l’Homme, 4 7000 Mons

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© Frédéric Raevens © Patrick Tombelle

® Mundaneum.

Mundaneum Nicknamed a “Paper Google” (Le Monde) or “Google’s genius forefather” (Der Spiegel), the Mundaneum houses a precious documentary heritage. As well as the founder’s personal archives, it has books, posters, postcards, glass plates, the UNESCO recognised Universal Bibliographic Repertory and the International Press Museum, boasting 6km of documents covering all subjects!

Since 1998, the Mundaneum has been an exhibition space as well as an archive centre. After a year and a half of work to provide new facilities, the Mundaneum will reopen its doors in spring 2015, with the exhibition “Mapping knowledge: understanding the world through data”.

CENTRE D’ARCHIVES DE LA FÉDÉRATION WALLONIE-BRUXELLES ET ESPACE D’EXPOSITIONS TEMPORAIRES Rue de Nimy, 76 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/31.53.43 Fax : +32 (0) 65/39.54.86 info@mundaneum.be www.mundaneum.org Intramuros bus route A Stop : rue de Nimy

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© visitMons Gregory Mathelot © visitMons Gregory Mathelot

Founded in 1839, the Museum of Natural History covers many subjects linked to nature and the natural sciences. Birds, mammals, invertebrates and other animals are among a priceless collection of more than 10,000 pieces.

Some of them, such as an albino macaque from the Philippines and a 2.1m sturgeon caught in the River Haine, are extremely rare.

The museum’s programme of themed exhibitions can be found on its website. Educational activities and guided tours are available free of charge for schools and other groups (by appointment only). Do not miss the skeleton of Constantin the giant (he was 2.56m (over 8 feet) tall and weighed 165kg (over 360lb)).

Open: Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 12 noon and 1pm to 5pm; Friday 8.30am to 12noon. Open on Friday afternoons by appointment only. Closed at weekends and on public holidays.

The Museum is managed by the Wallonia Public Services.

Admission : Free * Periods of closure are possible. We suggest you verify that the museum is open before visiting.

MUSÉUM RÉGIONAL DES SCIENCES NATURELLES Rue des Gailliers, 7 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/40.11.40 Fax : +32 (0) 65/34.86.75 bertrand.pasture@spw.wallonie.be http://environnement.wallonie.be/ museum-mons

Intramuros bus routes A, B & C Stop : rue de la Houssière

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Mons Museum of Natural History

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St Remy’s Church Museum This small museum is housed in the triforium of this welcoming, modern church, completed in 1996. On display are around a hundred items, including a 16th-century polychrome Christ, a 16th-century font, a monstrance dating from 1706, a Beghin crown ciborium (1713), a Plantin Book of Common Prayer (1620), a revolving tabernacle, ancient vestments, reliquaries and 18th-century statues of St Sebastian and St Francis de Sales.

Nimy Museum A ceramics hub for the Mons-Borinage Region and the Nord and Pas-de-Calais Departments.

The Nimy Museum will introduce you to the most famous pottery and china factories in the Mons-Borinage Region (NIMY, Thulin, Saint-Ghislain, Wasmuël and Baudour to name but a few) and part of the Louis Hasey North of France (including Onnaing, © Musée de Nimy Saint-Amand-les-Eaux and Ferrière-la-Petite) as well as lots of tin-glazed pieces from the collections belonging to the old Mons Centenary museum. There are also collections of pipes made of clay and other materials, as well as objects connected to Nimy’s industries and local folklore.

Museum only open to groups (€2.50/pers.), booking required (Duration of visit: 1½ hours) MUSÉE DE L’ÉGLISE SAINT-REMY Place de Cuesmes - 7033 Cuesmes Tel : +32 (0) 65/31.36.49 or +32 (0) 65/35.33.30 fgodart@skynet.be

Starting from Mons station; take bus route 1 heading to MONS-CUESMESFRAMERIES-WASMES-ST-GHISLAIN, CUESMES Place stop (8 mins.).

CERCLE CULTUREL “VIEUX-NIMY” ASBL Rue Édouard Mouzin, 31 - 7020 Nimy Mobile : +32 (0) 479/35.89.17 www.vieuxnimy.be Starting from Mons station; take the train heading to CHARLEROI SUD, NIMY stop (5 mins.) Walk to RUE MOUZIN 31 (8 mins.).

OR Starting from Mons station; take bus route 15 heading to MONS-NIMY-MAISIERESCASTEAU-SOIGNIES, NIMY Rue Gérard stop (16 mins.). Walk to the junction of RUE MOUZIN/IMPASSE TRIGALET (5 mins.).

Open from 2pm to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays from the first weekend in April to the last weekend in October (apart from the weekend of the Ducasse de Mons).

Group tours available during the week, on request.

Admission : 2,50 €

Boch © Musée de Nimy

St-Antoine de Padoue © Musée de Nimy

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© visitMons - Gregory Mathelot

For more information Please refer to your Battlefield Guide brochure or organise a guided visit (groupes@ville.mons.be).

Saint-Symphorien military cemetery

The Legend of the Angels of Mons

The Saint-Symphorien military cemetery is a unique, historic site, full of memories. The cemetery is in fact special in two ways:

On the evening of 23 August, the British 8th Brigade was in a desperate situation, threatened with encirclement and unsure of being able to retreat. Then, towards midnight, Angels descended from heaven in the form of archers and protected the British by stopping the German enemy, enabling the British to retreat safely in the total darkness. The Brigade thus avoided being wiped out.

The graves of the first British soldiers to die in World War 1 are here. It counts as many German soldiers as British.

The Saint-Symphorien is given 2 stars in the Michelin Guide, reflecting its great importance in warfare history tourism.

CIMETIÈRE MILITAIRE DE SAINT-SYMPHORIEN Avenue de la Shangri 7032 Saint-Symphorien

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From Mons Station, take a no. 22 bus towards Mons-Saint-Symphorien-Bray-Waudrez-Binche, arriving at the Saint-Symphorien Ecoles bus stop at 11:50. The walk to the cemetery takes 10 minutes.

Les Anges de Mons /Tableau de Marcel Gillis © collections Ville de Mons

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© visitMons - Gregory Mathelot

Useful to know

BELFRY

SITE

At the centre of the park you will find large vaulted caves from the XIIth and XIIIth centuries, known in local legend as “souterrains”.

Parc du Château

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm.

The Parc du Château, along with the Belfry and Saint-Calixte Chapel, offer a stunning panorama of the whole region, and still hold some fascinating relics, like the remains of the dungeon and the César tower, where there is an alley that takes you from the Rue Bervoets to the Parc du Château. On the side overlooking the Rue des Clercs, you will be able to see the bust of Charles Plisnier (Prix Goncourt in 1937), by the sculptor Akarova.

Free entry Intramuros bus routes A, B & C Stop : rue des Clercs PARC DU BEFFROI Square du Château Tel : +32 (0) 65/40.53.27 of +32 (0) 65/33.55.80 polemuseal@ville.mons.be

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© visitMons - Gregory Mathelot

Belfry Built between 1661 and 1672, Mons’ Belfry was recognised by UNESCO in 1999. Belgium’s only baroque belfry, the building was once associated with protecting the city. It was also responsible for regulating the city’s life, with its bells ringing out the rhythm of life for the city’s citizens. With its 365 steps, 87 metre tower and 49 bells, in 2015 the Belfry will house an interpretation centre dedicated to its history, past and present and the criteria that led to its recognition by UNESCO. In an exhibition combining pieces from the collections belonging to the City of Mons with new technology, visitors will be able to explore different aspects of the Belfry.

From September 2015 an innovative device will allow visitors to look back in time and (re) discover the beautiful views that the Belfry has to offer.

Admission : 9€ / 6€ Open: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.

Intramuros bus routes A, B and C Stop : rue des Clercs BELFRY Rue des Gades 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/40.53.12 polemuseal@ville.mons.be www.beffroi.mons.be

End of August 2015 Some of the best chefs in Mons cook up a range of delicious dishes for your enjoyment.

Parc du Beffroi - 7000 Mons www.mons2015.eu

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“Dimanche Toqué”

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© visitMons - Gregory Mathelot

COLLÉGIALE SAINTE-WAUDRU Place du Chapitre - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/87.57.75 (Trésor) www.waudru.be Curator of the Treasury: conservateurstewaudru@gmail.com

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St Waltrude’s Collegiate Church

Treasury of the Collegiate Church

The construction of the collegiate church began in 1450 with the chancel, which was finished around 1506. The transept was completed in 1527, and work on the nave lasted until 1621. Laid out in the form of a Latin cross with 29 chapels around the main nave, transept and chancel, this building is listed as an Outstanding Walloon Heritage Site. The church was owned by the Canonesses of St Waltrude, who dreamed of crowning the west front with a tower 190 m (623 feet) high. The foundations of the tower were laid around 1549, but it was never finished, and was finally abandoned between 1686 and 1687.

The Treasury contains objects that belonged to St Waltrude; religious goldsmithery (12th to 14th centuries); articles used by the lady canons; statues, including some alabaster masterpieces by Jacques Du Broeucq (1505-1584); paintings (16th to 18th centuries); 13th-century manuscripts, and a collection of shrouds that once enveloped the saint’s bones.

Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 12 noon to 6pm.

Admission : 4€ / 3€

© visitMons - Gregory Mathelot

Intramuros bus routes A, B and C Stop : Place du Chapitre

Don’t miss: The reliquaries: one contains the body of St Waltrude (the shrine) and the other her head (the head reliquary).

The works of Jacques du Broeucq (15051584), a master sculptor at the time of Emperor Charles V. He produced a Renaissancestyle rood-screen of which only some statues and alabaster bas-reliefs remain. You can see them in the chancel and transept.

The sculptures, especially the white stone statues of St Michael overcoming Satan (15th century) and St Waltrude (16th century The Car d’Or (Golden Coach), a wooden vehicle painted and gilded in Louis XVI style (1780/1781). It is still used every year in the annual procession.

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The stained-glass windows, especially the five windows in the apse, the work of a master glazier from Mons, given to the church by Emperor Maximilian in 1510-1511.

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Church of St Nicholas-in-Havré

© visitMons - Gregory Mathelot

This parish church, founded in 1224, has been refurbished and rebuilt several times.

The church has a Baroque facade but a Classical interior. It has particularly rich Baroque woodwork

EGLISE SAINT-NICOLAS-EN-HAVRÉ Rue d’Havré - 7000 Mons conservateurstewaudru@gmail.be Intramuros bus routes B and C Stop : rue d’Havré

Church of St Elizabeth This church was built between 1715 and 1732. The nave and chancel are the work of Claude de Bettignies, an architect from Mons. Inside the church, visitors can admire the reliquary of St George, some 16th-, 17thand 18th-century paintings and five neo-Gothic altarpieces with original polychromatic paint.

Intramuros bus route A Stop : rue de Nimy EGLISE SAINTE-ELISABETH Rue de Nimy - 7000 Mons conservateurstewaudru@gmail.be

Church of Our Lady of Messines Records show that there was an oratory of St Nicholas on this site as early as 1182, and that it became a parish church in 1227. A new church was built in 1674 on the Rue de Bertaimont: it was demolished in 1799. This church became the parish church in 1803.

EGLISE NOTRE-DAME DE MESSINES Rue de Bertaimont - 7000 Mons conservateurstewaudru@gmail.be Intramuros bus route B Stop : rue de Bertaimont

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© WBT-JPRemy

The Grand-Place The Grand-Place is the beating heart of this historic city. Adjacent to the shopping district, its cobbles bring an atmosphere of olde-world charm to the cafés and restaurants around the square in buildings that are marvellous examples of architectural styles from the 15th century to today. What could be better on a sunny day than to sip a drink on a terrace here while watching the world go by? Every year on Trinity Sunday, the Grand-Place is transformed into a huge arena where tens of thousands of spectators gather to see St George fight the dragon as part of the Doudou.

Tip The facade of the building called Au Blan Levrie (local dialect for “the white greyhound”, as illustrated by the small statue above the engraved name) is a good example of the care taken to blend history with modernity.

Today it houses a bank, but also part of the ruins of the city wall. Step inside and look around, you are sure to be amazed.

MONS

© visitMons - Gregory Mathelot

Intramuros bus routes A, B and C Stop : Grand-Place

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© OT Mons - Dardenne

© OPT - Alessandra Petrosino

Town Hall Mons Town Hall was built in the Gothic style between 1458 and 1477. It has only one upper floor and is capped with a bell-tower added in 1717-1718. Be sure to stop and admire the bronze banister in front of its facade, representing St George and the dragon, a work by the French artist in 2006. You must also stop and stroke (with your left hand) the little monkey squatting to the left of the main entrance. He will bring you good luck!

The interior is also worth a visit: The Wedding Hall with its Italian ceiling (1682), the Council Chamber with its fireplace made of marble from Rance, and the Sacquiaux Room with its impressive 16th-century fireplace. The Portrait Room and the Gothic Hall are also exceptional and decorated in period style. In the other wing, the Mayor’s Parlour is one of the oldest parts of the building, dating back to the 15th century, but its current furnishings only go back to the late 19th century.

Tip The local dialect word sacquiaux means “small leather bags”. The Sacquiaux Room in the Town Hall was originally the guardhouse and the keys of the city were stored there for safekeeping.

Intramuros bus routes A, B and C Stop : Grand-Place HÔTEL DE VILLE Grand-place, 22 - 7000 Mons

Tours of the Town Hall are by appointment only and must be led by an official guide.

Further information can be obtained from the City of Mons Tourist Office in the Grand-Place.

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Mayor’s Garden The Mayor’s Garden, created in 1930-1936, is located behind the Town Hall. It is a quiet refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city. A fountain statue called Le Ropieur (The Scamp) splashes unsuspecting passers-by with water. It was sculpted in 1937 by Léon Gobert.

If you leave the garden by the Rue d’Enghien, and take the Passage Victor Hugo to the Rue Marguerite Bervoets, you will enjoy a very pleasant walk to the majestic Baroque Belfry.

Intramuros bus routes A, B and C Stop : Grand-Place

The Mayor’s Garden is the best place to be when the carillon rings on the quarter-hours.

© visitMons Gregory Mathelott

© visitMons Gregory Mathelott

Tip

There are also several trees in the garden that are over 100 years old, amongst other attractive greenery.

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The origins of the little monkey that today is the emblem of Mons are a complete mystery Many theories have been advanced as to his origins, of which three are most often cited: he is a blacksmith’s masterpiece (a piece produced as part of a test which, if passed, would allow the blacksmith to set up his own shop); he was part of a sign that hung in front of a local tavern and he was used as a pillory (a place of public humiliation) for naughty children. When exactly he was made and how he ended up on the facade of the Town Hall are unknown, but legend has it that if you stroke his head with your left hand it will bring you good luck.

Intramuros bus routes A, B and C Stop : Grand-Place

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© visitMons Gregory Mathelott

The Monkey

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© OPT - JL Flémal

From Mons Station, take a no. 82 bus towards Mons-La Louviere-Morlanwelz-Trazegnies. Alight at Havre Monument (21 minutes). Walk for 3 minutes to the intersection with Rue du Chateau.

Havré Castle Dating back to 1266, the castle withstood several sieges, and its lay-out was altered over time. In 1518, it fell into the hands of the House of Croÿ, and was home to the surgeon Ambroise Paré, who saved the life of Charles Philip de Croÿ in 1569 by a ligature of one of arteries, then an innovative practice.

At the end of the 16th century, the castle was in a sorry state. Charles Alexander de Croÿ, Marquis of Havré, came up with a new, majestic design and capped the 14th-century octagonal keep with a fine, slate-tiled onion dome in 1603. Thus converted into an opulent residence, the castle played hosted to some famous visitors, including Van Dyck, Rubens, Marie de Medici, the Infanta Isabella, Mary of Hungary, and the Duke of Marlborough. After the French Revolution, the Croÿ family moved out of the castle, and abandoned it once and

for all in 1839. In 1919, Canon Puissant tried to save the building, but he could not afford to pay for its restoration. By 1930, it had begun to fall down, and total collapse was threatened.

Fortunately, Emile Poumon, a local historian, encouraged some fellow-citizens to form a non-profit association in 1978 with the objective of saving the castle. Today, the castle keep houses a collection of knives dating from the 14th to 19th centuries.

Guided tours for groups available on request.

FRIENDS OF THE CASTLE OF THE DUKES OF HAVRÉ ASBL (A NON-PROFIT ASSOCIATION) Rue du Château, 30 - 7021 Havré Tel : +32 (0) 65/87.25.35 Fax : +32 (0) 65/87.46.47 info@chateaudhavre.net www.chateaudhavre.net

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© OPT Mons

Havré Castle Gardens The rose garden was laid out in 1999-2000, and today the scent of roses wafts over its 20,000 m². It includes 150 carefully labelled varieties of rose and more than 10,000 individual rose bushes. It is a garden in which old and modern roses, sweet briars and hybrid teas compete for attention. The varieties include “Paul Ricard” with its magnificent, astonishing liquorice-scented flowers; “Bolshoi” with its bicoloured blooms and strong, heady perfume; “Tuscany Superb” (1837), whose marvellous blooms have flouncing purple petals that contrast with their golden stamens; “Rush,” a wonderful bush with simple blooms, a tribute to the talents of Belgian rose grower Louis Lens, and “Mary Rose,” an

outstanding English rose, named after King Henry VIII’s flagship. Visitors can discover and enjoy many more varieties while enjoying the magnificent views of Havré Castle and its pond.

Open: 1 June to 30 September, Tuesday to Friday, 10am - 5pm; weekends and public holidays from 2pm - 6pm. Last admission 30 minutes before closing time.

Admission : Adults : 1,25 € Children under 12: Free A.S.B.L. “Les amis du Château des Ducs d’Havré” Rue du Château, 30 - 7021 Havré Tel : +32 (0) 65/87.25.35 Fax : +32 (0) 65/87.46.47 info@chateaudhavre.net

Built in 1625, the Chapel of Our Lady of Goodwill has an elegant steeple. The Gothic-style building has a slate roof and 73 chubby faces perfectly aligned along the top of its stone and brick walls. Built on the site of a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary attached to a lime tree, the chapel has a marble altar, large paintings of scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary and a collection of images of Our Lady of Goodwill. Notre-Dame de Bon-Vouloir.

From Mons Station, take a no. 82 bus towards Mons-La Louviere-Morlanwelz-Trazegnies. Alight at Havre Bon Vouloir (20 minutes) and walk to 90, Rue Edouard Deweze (9 minutes).

NOTRE-DAME DE BON-VOULOIR Rue Dewèze, 99 - 7021 Havré Tel : +32 (0) 65/ 87.25.35

MONS

Chapel of Our Lady of Goodwill

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HISTORY

TRIP

The town is small, but has many treasures for you to discover. The essential can be seen by following a trail through narrow in the historic centre of Mons. Follow the guide! arriving in Mons. With a height of 87 metres, it is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The Grand-Place is a magnificent architectural panorama from the XVth century to modern times. The majority of its facades are listed by the Wallonia Region. At its cen-

4

tre, a ring 12 metres in diameter symbolises the 19 communes of Mons, and the arena for the battle between Saint George and the 3

Dragon, which takes place each Sunday in Trinity.

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Leave the Park leaving the Youth Hostel on your right, with its resolutely contemporary architecture, and go down Rue des 2 Clercs towards the Collegial Church of 1 Saint Waltrude.

This monument is listed as part of the Exceptional 5 Heritage of Wallonia and is a remarkable discovery in its own right, with its Treasure, 29 chapels, XVIth century stained glass and the “Renaissance” sculptures by Jacques Du Broeucq. You must also see the reliquary of Saint Waltrude and the astonishing Golden Cart, which participates in the eponymous annual procession.

s où Mon nir ve

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View the Town Hall, so unique with its single storey. This Gothic jewel is crowned by an elegant bell-tower.

On its façade, look out for the Monkey of the Grand-Garde: it brings good luck if you caress it with your left hand… At the rear are the Jardins du Layeur, a veritable haven of peace with a statue of Ropieur, highly esteemed by the citizens of Mons. Leaving the Jardins du Mayeur by Rue d’Enghien, be sure to cross Passage Victor Hugo and take the narrow Rue César.

On reaching the Parc du Château you will see the oldest monument in Mons the Chapelle Saint-Calixt, and the Baroque Belfry, which you will certainly have noticed on

5

Take Rue Samson to the pedestrianized main shopping street in the town centre.

The town offers numerous shops of all types and is also known as the “Town of Original Gifts”. The pedestrian area and adjacent streets will reveal many boutiques to please you as you return to Grand-Place.

Otherwise, you can take Rue des Fripiers and Rue de la Coupe, both of which have Gothic gems for you to discover.

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© Marie-Noëlle Daily

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THE CULTURAL

KILOMETRE Contemporary architecture is at the heart of Mons 2015 – European Capital of Culture, and is one of its main themes. The incorporation of new architecture in a city packed with historical buildings is a daily challenge to be relished, with respect but also a certain degree of stubbornness.

The Cultural Kilometre that is being build around the Théâtre le Manège is a fantastic example of this challenge, illustrating a project for the transformation of a struggling, inner-city district into an urban cultural hub.

The project involves a number of architects who are committed to creating a link between the buildings of the past and the needs of the future, and they have already started work on this flagship project.

In 2015, the area around the Théâtre le Manège, designed by Pierre Hebbelinck, will welcome the headquarters of the Mons 2015 Foundation, K2A, a meeting place for artists, journalists and their guests, Arsonic, a centre for emerging music, a concert and recording venue by Holoffe, a complex of around a hundred luxury apartments for the first stakeholders in this new cultural neighbourhood by Matador. La Maison Folie, located at a stone’s throw, is also part of the dynamic.

Information: visitMons Grand-Place, 22-27 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/35.34.88 groupes@ville.mons.be 90 € Monday to Saturday 10 € Sundays, public holidays and after 5.30pm (groups of no more than 20 people)

MONS

© Marie-Noëlle Daily

Guided Tours of the Mons 2015 Cultural Kilometre

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© visitMons Grégory Mathelot

© visitMons Grégory Mathelot

VisitMons

GUIDED

TOURS

Grand-Place, 27 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65 35.34.88 Fax : +32 (0) 65 35.63.36 groupes@ville.mons.be www.visitmons.be

The Office du Tourisme de la Ville de Mons offers guided tours for everyone, whatever your interests may be. These tours are available in eight different languages, depending on the availability of the guides: French, Dutch, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish and Russian (groups of no more than 20 people).

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© visitMons Grégory Mathelot

Fancy a guided tour? The Office du Tourisme has plenty to choose from!

CLASSIC TOUR 2h / On foot / from €90 Tour includes: the Grand-Place, the Town Hall and its gardens, the site of the Belfry and the Collégiale Sainte-Waltrude.

CULTURAL KILOMETRE 2h / On foot / from €90 Tour includes: contemporary architecture, around the Théâtre le Manège, the Arsonic, the Maison Folie and the 106, headquarters of the Mons 2015 Foundation.

MONS 14-18 3h / In your vehicle / from €135 Tour includes: the “Legend of the Angels” and the key sites of the Battle of Mons (23 August 1914) as well as Saint Symphorien Military Cemetery.

UNESCO ROUTE 2h30 / On your bike / from €135 Tour includes: explore the Neolithic Mines at Spiennes or the Grand-Hornu on a bike ride taking in our UNESCO heritage.

© visitMons Grégory Mathelot

Guided tours for individuals: Saturdays and Sundays at 1430 in July and August Duration 3 hours.

The visitMons application lets you create your own itinerary independently, using your smartphone (available on Apple Store and Android Market)

visitMons-guide 2015-EN.indd 43

In the footsteps of the Doudou 1h30 / On foot / from €90 Follow in the footsteps of Saint George and the Dragon, taking in some of the iconic examples of Mons’ architectural and artistic heritage.

In the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh 3h / In your vehicle / from €135 Tour includes: explore Mons-Borinage and the sites visited by Van Gogh during his time in the region.

Prices : From Monday to Saturday inclusive: €90/2h + €45 per additional hour. (Maximum 20 people per guide). Sundays, bank holidays and after 5.30pm: €105/2 hours + €52.50 per additional hour. (Maxi¬mum 20 people per guide).

Other tours are also available such as the route visiting the Anciens Refuges d’Abbaye, the religious heritage route, the route following in the footsteps of Jacques Du Broeucq, the civil building heritage route and the route covering the Sainte-Waltrude procession.

The Office du Tourisme also organises relaxation days for groups… please don’t hesitate to order your “Groups” brochure if you are interested.

MONS

Programme :

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Š D. Devos

FANCY TRYING A DIFFERENT WAY TO EXPLORE

MONS AND ITS SURROUNDINGS? Then why not meet one of our Greeters? Greeters are local volunteers who are passionate about their city and/or region, and who want to share their passion, personal highlights, top tips and anecdotes with visitors.

They are not professional guides, but rather volunteer ambassadors for the city.

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Meeting a Greeter: is unique and unusual is free takes you off the beaten track can take place from Monday to Sunday, between 8am and 10pm, and generally lasts between 2 and 4 hours depends on the availability of the Greeters and the preferences of the visitors must be a group of no more than 6 visitors

is a unique experience where authenticity, communication and discovery are key

Š D. Devos

prefers to use public transport, walking or cycling

Info

Š D. Devos

MONS

Mons Tourist Office Grand-Place 27 - 7000 Mons Contact : Tamara Marinkovic Tel : +32 (0) 65/40.53.44 tamara.marinkovic@ville.mons.be www.monsgreeters.be and www.globalgreeternetwork.com

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© visitMons - Gregory Mathelot © Provélo

Guided bike tour What would you say about a bike ride with your family or friends based on a theme of your choice? Relax, you’re safe in the expert hands of a guide who will be able to share stories and anecdotes at each stop on your route. Rides last between 2½ and 3½ hours, taking in Mons and the surrounding area, focusing on a range of themes including: memorial tourism, the Vincent Van Gogh route, the mines at Spiennes, the city centre and the Château d’Havré.

Horse-drawn carriage rides The Salon des Lumières and the Calèche de la Caspienne have joined forces to offer you an illuminated carriage ride with the Count and Countess de Beaulieu, where you can find out more about day-to-day life in Mons in the 18th century through its architecture, food and anecdotes about political life, traffic and its leading figures.

Sundays from 2pm to 6pm and Thursdays from 6pm to 8pm (Reservation advisable).

Other days, by reservation only.

Check out all the options at: www.provelo.org/fr/tour/ tours-sur-demande/Mons Number of participants: maximum 20 people per group.

Option to hire bikes available.

BALADES EN CALÈCHES Mobile : +32 (0) 474/29.25.84 www.salondeslumieres.com www.calechedelacaspienne.be

© Peter Loeckx

MAISON DES CYCLISTES DU HAINAUT Boulevard Charles Quint, 35 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/84.95.81 hainaut@maisondescyclistes.be www.maisondescyclistes.be Maison des Cyclistes du Hainaut

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© visitMons Gregory Mathelot

Triobalade See Mons in a whole new light with Triobalade’s fun three-wheeled Piaggio vehicle that will take you down the alleyways and through the courtyards and gardens of Mons. Ludovic, your guide on this journey of discovery, will help you appreciate his city from his own personal angle.

Triobalade offers you five packages for 1 to 3 people: Essential route Explore the heart of Mons €29/30min

Gourmet route Savour and explore.

Including stop-offs for something to eat.

From €59/90min Also available: Mons By night, Vintage, Tuk tuk, Valentine’s Day, Brûlage de maronnes and much more Why not treat someone with a gift voucher?

TRIOBALADE Mobile : +32 (0) 490/11.13.33 triobalade@gmail.com - www.triobalade.be

Tourist route Take in the sites and hear the stories €39/60min

Anniversary route Surprise! Bubbly and soft drinks included €49/90min

MONS

Cultural route Immerse yourself in our culture €49*/90min * Van Gogh House entry extra

© Triobalade

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© Edit.Thill, S.A. bruxelles)

GREEN

SPACES Waux-Hall Park The park hosts a remarkable collection of century-old trees, as well as ponds and lawns where 100,000 bulbs bloom in the spring, creating an enchanting sight.

Open every day, all year from 8 am to 10pm.

PARC DU WAUX-HALL Avenue Reine Astrid, 22 - 7000 Mons

Canon Puissant Park Canon Edmond Puissant was a famous resident of Mons, a self-taught archaeologist, and an antique dealer. He restored several historic buildings, and, in 1933, he donated the old sanctuary of Ghislenghien. The donation included all the collections housed in these buildings, located on either side of this garden.

Open from 1 April to 30 September from 9am to 8pm and from 1 October to 31 March from 9am to 5pm.

PARC DU CHANOINE PUISSANT Rue de Gaillardmont - 7000 Mons

© RinoNoviello

The Spoil Heaps The perfect venue for a walk for some and sport for others, these spoil heaps have created an amazing landscape. Mons has two of them, Mont Panisel in Hyon and Mont Héribus, in Cuesmes.

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Le RAVeL : “More RAVeL, more pleasure!”

Mons is crossed by two RAVeL routes: RAVeL 1 Centre, which links Mons to Namur (108.8km/67.6mi) and RAVeL1 West, which links Mons to Comines-Warneton (91.9km/57mi). Apart from these two routes, there are plenty of other options across the Mons Region, covering Quaregnon, Frameries, Saint-Ghislain, Dour and Honnelles, to name but a few.

RAVEL www.ravel.wallonie.be - Tel : 0800/11.901

Square Franklin Roosevelt Square Saint-Germain Passage Gustave Jacobs Rue d’Havré - 7000 Mons Parc de la Boulangerie Rue de la Boulangerie - 7000 Mons

Parc du Château Rampe du Château - 7000 Mons Parc de Jemappes Rue du Château Guillochain 35 - 7012 Mons www.leparc-communal.be Parc du Joncquoy à Ghlin Rue Sainte-Anne - 7011 Ghlin Tel : +32 (0) 65/33.53.45 © OPT Mons

Also worth a visit

DISCOVERY TOURS:

Get off the beaten track and discover Mons in 15 unique tours! Following pretty paths, you will discover remarkable trees and enjoy the host of opportunities in Mons for walks through the great outdoors. Trees and Heritage offers 15 routes of between 2km (1.2 mi) and 15km (9.3 mi) around the stunning landscape of the outskirts of Mons.

Trees and Heritage will introduce you to unique buildings and trees, and encourages relaxation, with routes combining tourist sights, culture and history.

MONS CITY COUNCIL ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT (In collaboration with Hainaut environnement)

Rue du Miroir, 18 - 7000 Mons - Tel : +32 (0) 65/40.55.87

MONS

TREES AND HERITAGE

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© Thibaut Olivier

SPORTS &

LEISURE Bowling

BOWLING DES BASSINS Avenue des Bassins, 22 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/36.36.46 www.bowlingdesbassins.be IMAGIPARK Avenue du Grand Large, 1 - 7011 Ghlin Tel : +32 (0) 65/40.81.60 www.imagipark.be BOWLING LE GARAGE Boulevard Sainctelette, 120 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/72.45.00 www.bowling-legarage.be

BOWLING LA BARRIÈRE Chaussée de Beaumont, 192 Bis 7032 Spiennes Tel : +32 (0) 65/33.56.16 www.barrierebowling.be

Cinema CINÉMA IMAGIX MONS Boulevard André Delvaux, 1 - 7000 Mons Tel : 0900/20.900 - www.imagix.be CINÉMA PLAZA ART Rue de Nimy, 12 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/35.15.44 www.plaza-art.be

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Laser game & paintball

Wallonia HorseRacing Track

LASER GAME EVOLUTION Boulevard André Delvaux, 1 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/33.72.33 www.lasergame-evolution.com/be/Mons

This is a perfect destination for a family outing. Set amid beautiful surroundings, it is a great place to enjoy a range of fun activities and sporting events, organised alongside the horse races.

Route de Wallonie, 31A - 7011 Ghlin Tel : +32 (0) 65/31.11.27 www.hippodromedewallonie.be

Crazy Golf GOOLFY MONS Rue de Mons, 353 - 7011 Ghlin Tel : +32 (0) 65/59.00.31 www.goolfymons.be

Swimming Pools PISCINE DU GRAND-LARGE (See page 53) Avenue de la Sapinette, 20 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0)65/22.08.30 PISCINE DE CUESMES Voie de Wasmes, 232 - 7033 Cuesmes Tel : +32 (0) 65/56.20.50

Escalade FACE NORD Chemin Chêne aux Haies, 2 - 7020 Nimy Tel : +32 (0) 65/84.44.30 www.facenord.be

Snooker BILLARD CLUB DU SAMEDI Place de Jemappes, 12 -7012 Jemappes Tel : +32 (0) 65/39.19.57

ADEPS Centre at La Sapinette La Sapinette enjoys a lush green setting on the banks of a lake covering 42 hectares.

Sports facilities include an artificial football/ rugby pitch, a five-a-side football pitch, athletics tracks, 6 clay tennis courts, a gym (www.gymhemerocallis.be) 3 indoor tennis courts, 2 squash courts, a fitness room and a GreenSet court.

Avenue de la Sapinette, 3 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/31.11.48 - www.adeps.be

Other Sports ECOLE DE PARACHUTISME SPORTIF DU HAINAUT Avenue du Bélian, 1 - 7000 Mons Mobile : +32 (0) 475/47.59.61 www.parachutismesportif.com MOHA Stade Haulet - Rue Taille Coleau - 7034 Obourg Tel : +32 (0) 65/36.15.40 www.mohathle.be CRAMONCIAU RUGBY CLUB DE MONS Rue de Mons - 7011 Ghlin www.rugbymons.net

The above list is non exhaustive

visitMons-guide 2015-EN.indd 51

MONS

IMPACTS-PAINTBALL Rue des Combattants, 59 7033 Cuesmes Mobile : +32 (0) 492/55.99.00 www.impacts-paintball.be

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© visitMons Gregory Mathelot

The Grand-Large Marina Linking canals and navigable rivers in France and Holland, the Grand-Large Marina in Mons is truly a place for European fun!

Open: Monday to Saturday from May to September, from 9am to 6.30pm.

Sunday from 10am to 6pm. The rest of the year from 9am to 6pm.

Close to the ADEPS sports centre Near the Grand-Large swimming pool Tel : +32 (0) 65/22.08.30 Not far from the IMAGIPARK amusement centre

CAPITAINERIE DU PORT DE PLAISANCE Rue du Grand-Large, 2 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/87.48.90 portdemons@skynet.be www.visitmons.be

A stone’s throw from the Les Grands Prés shopping centre

Tel : +32 (0) 65/39.02.59 chgrandlarge@hotmail.com

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Tip From the marina you can embark on another type of water adventure, this time on foot (or by bicycle). Follow the RAVeL 1 Centre path along the historic Canal du Centre (which goes all the way from Mons to Namur!).

You will encounter several locks, old and new (each of which is a marvel of engineering in its own right), and the truly amazing boat lifts at Ronquières and Strépy-Thieu.

© visitMons Gregory Mathelot

The Club House Restaurant is open from Tuesday to Sunday from May to September, from 11am to 9.30pm. The rest of the year from 11am to 6.30pm

© D. Devos

Port authority building with toilets and a laundry room (open to recreational sailors)

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Grand-Large swimming pool Come and discover this aquatic centre with a sports pool, a leisure zone with rapids and paddling pool, a sauna and a Turkish bath…

After your sporting exploits, enjoy some freshly prepared food in the café-restaurant.

Different prices for different zones, season tickets available.

Avenue de la Sapinette, 20 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/22.08.30 piscinedugrandlarge@sr-grandlarge.be www.sr-piscinedugrandlarge.be

MONS

Open: Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 9.30pm (10am to 9.30pm during school holidays). Saturday from 10am to 7pm and Sunday from 9am to 6pm.

Admission : from €6.90 (adult) and €4.90 (child over 5) for play zone and sports pool.

2.45€ for child under 5 for play zone.

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© visitMons Gregory Mathelot

SHOPPING Mons 2015 Labelized Products

JACKY CANGE Rue des Meuniers, 46 - 7973 Beloeil Labelized product : Fromage à la car d’or CACHE-MIRE Rue des Capucins, 40 - 7000 Mons Labelized product : Collier du Doudou AUX MILLE SAVEURS Rue des Arquebusiers, 66 - 7000 Mons Labelized product : Apéro du dragon RESTAURANT LE MARCHAL Rampe Sainte-Waudru, 4 7000 Mons contact@marchal.be Labelized product : Porc à l’berdouille

QUALITY DESIGNS SPRL Chaussée de Gilly, 253 - 6220 Fleurus Labelized product : Marque page à l’effigie du dragon BRASSERIE LA MONTOISE Labelized product : Bière la trinité T SUR MESURE Rue de moulin au bois, 50 7022 Hyon Labelized product : Thé sur mesure LES THÉLICES DE SOPHIE Clos des Grenadiers, 10 7300 Boussu Labelized product : Thé sur mesure

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COSTOON COCAVE steph.lahaye@gmail.com Labelized product : Plaques émaillées

MON AMI LE CHOCOLATIER Rue de Nimy, 38 - 7000 Mons Labelized product : Pavé Montois

CHÂTEAU D’ELOHIM SPRL Rue du Marais, 8b - 7387 Roisin Labelized product : Vins de Roisin

MONS OÙ VENIR Rue des Clercs, 13 - 7000 Mons Labelized product : Médaille

ENCORE ET ENCORE contact@encoreetencore.com Labelized product : boule de songe

MR CARTES DE VISITE Rue de Nimy, 58 - 7000 Mons Labelized product : Montre

DICO marika@dicoteam.be Labelized product : Trivial Pursuit & puissance 4

PETIT POIS Rue de Nimy, 42 7000 Mons Labelized product: Puzzle dragon

AU BAS DE MESSINES Grand’Rue, 60 - 7000 Mons Labelized producté : Bas Van Gogh

RUFFUS Labelized product: product Méthode Champenoise

BRASSERIE SAINT FEUILLIEN Rue d’Houdeng - 7070 Le Rœulx Labelized product : Bière la Car d’OR

VISUAL IMPACT Rue de Mons, 353 7011 Ghlin Labelized product : Carte touristique digitale

The above list is non exhaustive

MONS 2015 OFFICIAL BOUTIQUE Grand-Place, 22 - 7000 Mons In the heart of the town, the Mons 2015 Official Boutique offers:

MONS

Mugs, pens, t-shirts, etc. to remember Mons 2015 Souvenirs of Vincent Van Gogh and Verlaine The Mons 2015 Collection of Jean–Paul Lespagnard Official Mons 2015 products More information on www.visitmons.be © WBT - Jeanmart

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© WBT-JP Remy © visitMons Grégory Mathelot

BROWSE THE RANGE OF ORIGINAL GIFTS For parties, birthdays or just as a treat, for yourself or someone else, the home of the Doudou becomes the home of the original gift for any time of the year.

Selected for their originality, participating shops in Mons each offer at least 3 original gift ideas.

All in all there are more than 250 original presents to choose from! Whether you’re looking for decorative items, textiles, jewellery, flower displays, crafts, gifts for children or works of art, there’s bound to be something to suit you and your wallet.

How do you know which shops are involved?

Nothing could be easier! They will be easy to identify, thanks to the label in their window.

Leaflet available from the Office du Tourisme de Mons Grand-Place, 27 - 7000 Mons - cadeauoriginal@ville.mons.be - www.cadeauoriginal.mons.be

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© WBT-JP Remy

MONS OÙ VENIR Rue des Clercs, 13 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/31.13.60

SOUVENIR &

GIFT SHOP IN MONS Mons Où Venir is a specialist Mons gift and souvenir shop located a stone’s throw from the Belfry and the Grand-Place. It offers a unique range of products on the themes of Mons and ts folklore, made by local artists and artisans or specially created for sale here.

création: phenixgraphic.be

© B. Vanroye

© visitMons-Gregory Mathelot

Open : From Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm.

Closed on Monday.

Also open on Sundays from 15 July to 15 September from 11am to 6pm.

Take a cruise to discover the hydraulic boat lifts on the historic Canal du Centre, the Strépy-Thieu funicular lift or the sloping lock of Ronquières. Don’t miss the special days, packages, audiovisual experiences and exhibitions from 1 April to 25 October!

Information and agenda https://www.facebook.com/VoiesdEauduHainaut and http://voiesdeauhainaut.be

MONS

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE AN ORIGINAL EXCURSION?

Reservation : Voies d’Eau du Hainaut - 31 Rue des Clercs – 7000 Mons • Tel : +32(0)78/059.059 • info.voiesdeau@hainaut.be

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LEISURE &

WELLBEING Massages and personal care ALTER EGO (HOTEL DREAM) Rue de la Grande Triperie, 17 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/32.97.20 Fax : +32 (0) 65/32.97.29 info@dream.be www.dream-mons.be

ZEN CENTER Avenue des Bassins, 13 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/82.26.46 www.zen-center.be

BULLE DE BONHEUR Rue Eva Dupont, 6 - 7011 Ghlin Tel : +32 (0) 65/35.29.90 bulledebonheur.be

CENTRE DE BIEN-ETRE ROLAND FRANÇOISE Rue Nestor Dehon, 43 7030 Saint-Symphorien Mobile : + 32 (0) 498/32.76.30 www.rolandf.be BEST WESTERN LIDO Rue des Arbalestriers, 112 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/32.78.00 Fax : +32 (0) 65/84.37.22 info@lido.be - www.lido.be

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S&R PISCINE DU GRAND-LARGE Avenue de la Sapinette, 20 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/22.08.30 piscine@sr-mons.be www.sr-piscinedugrandlarge.be

BULLE DE SOINS Rue de Verapaz, 38 7000 Mons Mobile : +32 (0) 474/01.43.41 www.bulledesoins.be

YVES ROCHER Grand-rue, 8 7000 Mons Tel: +32 (0) 65/31.22.55

YVES ROCHER Place Des Grands Prés, 1 Bte 64 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/56.83.23

SANSIL INSTITUT Rue de Nimy,3 7000 Mons Tel: +32 (0) 65/84.05.00

INSTITUT NICOLE Rue des Capucins, 19 7000 MONS Tel : +32 (0) 65/33.85.94 http://nicoleinstitut.be

MONS BIEN-ÊTRE Rue de la Clairière, 4 7020 Nimy Mobile : +32 (0) 478/25.34.01 cvw38@hotmail.com

Tattooers SIAMFIFTYSEVEN Rue de la Clé, 17 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/35.40.33 www.siamfiftyseven.com

SELECT-TATTOO Rue des Bosquets 54 - 7011 Ghlin Mobile : +32 (0) 496/86.55.56 Tel : +32 (0) 65/56.88.09 www.select-tattoo.be

FAMILY CAT Rue de la Petite Guirlande 17 - 7000 Mons Mobile : +32 (0) 478/72.19.15

LA MAIN BLEUE Grand Rue, 51 - 7000 Mons Rue Grande, 14 7330 Saint-Ghislain lamainbleue@hotmail.be

SELECT TATOO Rue de Nimy, 93 - 7000 MONS Mobile : +32 (0) 496/86.55.56

MONS

Av. Albert 1er, 8 7022 Hyon Tel : +32 (0) 65/36.14.04 www.centre-esthetique-mons.be

© Dominique Libert

CENTRE ESTHÉTIQUE ET MÉDICAL DELPHINE LANON

CRY BABY Av. du Régent, 2 - 7011 Ghlin Tel: +32 (0) 65/36.31.89 www.crybaby.be

The above list is non exhaustive

visitMons-guide 2015-EN.indd 59

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© IvisitMons - Gregory Mathelot

WHERE

TO GO? Nightclubs HIIT CLUB BELGIUM Rue Emile Wauquier, 58 - 7040 Asquillies Mobile : +32 (0) 488/94.10.93 www.hiitclubofficiel.be cedric_m81@hotmail.com Hiit Club Belgium

RÊVE D’Ô CLUB Route de Mons, 245 7380 Quiévrain Mobile : +32 (0) 486/46.46.94 www.revedo.net Rêve d’Ô

BACKSTAGE CLUB Rue Grande, 191 - 7020 Maisières Backstage

EVENT CLUB Rue de l’Heaume, 43 7012 Jemappes

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© IvisitMons - Gregory Mathelot

LE RETOUR DU JEUDI (APÉRO CHIC) After Work drinks, every Thursday at Imagix Mons from 7pm to 1am.

Bld André Delvaux, 1 - 7000 Mons Le Retour du Jeudi APÉRO MONTOIS The penultimate Friday of each month, from June to September! from 6pm to 11pm.

Location announced 3 weeks before the event.

WOODPARK Open-Air Electro Festival info@woodpark.be www.woodpark.be Woodpark

Bars & Cocktail Bars LE TAM TAM Rue des Clercs, 20 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/35.52.50 www.cityplug.be LE CUBA’R Rue de Nimy, 57 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/31.13.11 www.cityplug.be LE CHINCHIN Rue des Clercs, 15 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/84.29.15 www.cityplug.be

L’HALF Rue de la Poterie, 2 7000 Mons L’Half bar gay-friendly Mons BULLES EN BULLES Rue de la Raquette, 4 7000 Mons L’ALCAZAR Marché aux Herbes, 9 7000 Mons O’ PUB Rue de la Clé, 31 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/31.51.31 LA VIE EST BELGE Grand-Place 7000 Mons La Vie est belge LE CITIZEN FOX Rue de la Coupe, 7 7000 Mons CitizenFoxMons LE JUNGLE RHUM Bld André Delvaux, 1 7000 Mons Mobile : + 32(0) 484/96.23.71 ESCOBAR Rue de la Clé, 30 - 7000 Mons LA VERR’HIER Rue de la Clé, 19 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/84.34.31 Fax : +32 (0) 65/36.17.47 Mobile : +32 (0) 475/23.77.42 info@laverrhier.com www.laverrhier.com IBERICO & CO(W) Rue des Clercs, 13 7000 Mons Tel. : +32 (0) 65/56.79.81

MONS

After-work Events and Festivals

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© visitMons - Gregory Mathelot

LA LORGNETTE Rue des Clercs, 2 - 7000 Mons Tel. : +32 (0) 65/84.45.66

TANGO FACTORY Place du Marché aux Herbes, 8 7000 Mons

Ô BAR’HIK Rue de la Clé, 8 - 7000 Mons Mobile : +32 (0) 479/73.52.41

AU CAYAU Rue d’Havré, 93 7000 Mons

LE DELIRIUM (DREAM HÔTEL) Rue de la Grande Triperie, 17 - 7000 Mons Tel. : +32 (0) 65/32.97.20

LE SAINT-NICOLAS Rue d’Havré, 109 7000 Mons

L’EXCELSIOR Grand-Place, 29 - 7000 Mons Tel. : +32 (0) 65/36.47.15

LE BRASSE TEMPS Boulevard André Delvaux, 1 7000 Mons

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Concerts ALHAMBRA Rue du Miroir, 4 7000 Mons www.alhambramons.com LE BATEAU IVRE Rue de Nimy, 1 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/34.94.12 www.lebateauivremons.be

L’ARCOBALENO Rue des Clercs - 7000 Mons LE THÉÂTRE ROYAL DE MONS Grand-Place 7000 Mons MAISON FOLIE Rue des Arbalestriers, 8 7000 Mons THÉÂTRE LE MANÈGE.MONS Rue des Passages, 1 7000 Mons

© IMara de Sario

MONS

The above list is non exhaustive

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WHERE

TO EAT? Restaurants LE BISTRO DE JEAN-PHI Rue des Fripiers, 22bis 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/33.40.33

LA CREMERIE Chaussée du Roeulx, 549 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/33.52.30 www.la-cremerie.be Open on Friday & Saturday evenings and on Sundays.

LE BAILLY Rue de Nimy, 8 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/35.29.79 CLUB-HOUSE DU GRAND LARGE Rue du Grand Large, 2 A 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/39.02.59

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LE COMPTOIR DE MARIE Rue d’Enghien, 8 - 7000 Mons Tel.: +32 (0) 65/87.29.49 www.lecomptoirdemarie.be Closed Sunday and Monday.

LE MEZZO Rue de la Grande Triperie, 17 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/32.97.20 info@dream-mons.be www.dream-mons.be Open 7 days a week.

LA BOULE DE BLEU Rue de la Coupe, 46 - 7000 Mons Tel/ Fax : +32 (0) 65/84.58.19 www.bouledebleu.be Closed Monday, Sunday and holidays.

Restaurants bearing the Mons 2015 brand L’ ART DES METS Rue des Clercs, 9 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/88.51.00 Fax : +32 (0) 65/82.51.00 guylaurent.decamp@artdesmets.net www.artdesmets.net Closed Saturday lunch, Sunday evening and all day Monday.

LE 44 Rue des Fripiers, 44 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/31.37.94 Le44@live.be Closed on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesday & Wednesday evenings.

LA CINQUIÈME SAISON Rue de la Coupe, 25 7000 Mons Tel. : +32 (0) 65/72.82.62 Fax : +32 (0) 65/72.82.61 pierre-yves.gosse@skynet.be Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

LA BERGERIE Rue des Canadiens, 130 7022 Hyon Tel : +32 (0) 65/84.33.44 www.labergerie-hyon.com Closed on Mondays (except Public holidays), and Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/ Saturday lunchtimes.

LE BISTRONOMIQUEMENT BELGE Rue de Nimy, 14 - 7000 Mons Tel: +32 (0)65/31.21.88 bistronomiquementbelge@gmail.com Open from Tuesday lunchtime to Friday evening, as well as Saturday evenings.

LE CERF BLANC Chée du Roeulx, 55 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/33.43.45 lecerfblanc@skynet.be www.lecerfblanc.be Closed on Sunday evenings, Monday and Wednesday evenings from September to May as well as Monday and Wednesday evenings from June to August.

MONS

LE PASTISSOU Rue des Fripiers 14 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/31.92.60 Closed on Sundays & Mondays.

The above list is non exhaustive

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CES BELGES ET VOUS Grand-Place, 30 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/31.31.05 Facebook.com/cesbelges.be Closed on Sunday evenings.

I COOK Rue Notre Dame, 2 - 7000 Mons (Relocation planned for spring 2015), Avenue Reine Astrid, 7000 Mons

Tel : +32 (0) 65/33.40.33 www.traiteuricook.com Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

LE LUMEÇON Rue des Fusillés, 12 - 7021 Nimy Tel : +32 (0) 65/72.41.44 Open Monday to Friday.

LA MADELEINE Rue de la Halle, 42 - 7000 Mons Tel. : +32 (0) 65/35.13.70 www.restolamadeleine.be Closed on Mondays.

LE MARCHAL Rampe Sainte-Waudru, 4 - 7000 Mons Tel. : +32 (0) 65/31.24.02 Fax : +32 (0) 65/36.24.69 contact@marchal.be - www.marchal.be Ouvert vendredi, samedi, Open on Fridays, Saturdays, Tuesdays, Thursday evenings and Sundays.

MAXENS Chée du Roi Baudouin, 117 7030 Saint-Symphorien Tel : +32 (0) 65/84.59.45 Closed on Mondays.

L’ORPHEO Rue de la Coupe, 26 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/31.80.68 Mobile : +32 (0) 474/80.29.79 info@orpheo.be Closed on Sundays.

LA PETITE COUSCOUSSIERE Rue des Clercs, 7 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/31.13.58 www.lapetitecouscoussiere.be Open 7 days a week.

LA PETITE PROVENCE Grand-Place, 26 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/33.70.57 www.petiteprovence.be petite.provence@swing.be Open 7 days a week.

LE SALON DES LUMIERES Rue du Miroir, 23 7000 Mons Mobile : +32 (0) 474/29.25.84 www.lesalondeslumieres.com Closed on Wednesdays, Saturday lunchtimes and Sunday evenings.

LA TABLE DES MATIERES Rue Grand Trou Oudart, 16 7000 Mons Tel. : +32 (0) 65/84.17.06 Fax : +32 (0) 65/84.91.45 renato.carati@skynet.be Closed on Wednesdays, Saturday lunchtimes and Sunday evenings.

TOCCO D’ITALIA Rue de Nimy, 114 - 7000 Mons Tel: +32 (0) 65/34.07.40 Mobile: +32 (0) 496/75.76.20 toccoditalia@hotmail.be Closed on Sunday evenings and Wednesdays

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LA TABLE DU BOUCHER Rue d’Havré, 49 7000 Mons Tel. : +32 (0) 65/31.68.38 Fax : +32 (0) 65/33.48.65 www.lucbroutard.be Open 7 days a week.

VILAINE FILLE, MAUVAIS GARÇON Rue de Nimy, 55 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/66.67.62 Fax : +32 (0) 65/87.59.44 www.vilainefillemauvaisgarcon.be Closed on Saturday lunchtimes, Sunday evenings and Mondays.

L’IMPERATIF Rue Grande, 208 7020 Maisières Tel : +32 (0) 65/35.52.55 limperatif@hotmail.com Closed on Tuesdays, Thursday evenings and Sundays.

CIAO CIAO Rue Fernand Maréchal, 50 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/35.35.22 Fax : +32 (0) 65/35.36.22 www.ciaociao.be Closed on Saturday lunchtimes, Sunday evenings and Mondays.

LE COQ WALLON Place de Saint-Symphorien, 6 7030 Saint- Symphorien Tel : +32 (0) 65/73.08.38 Open 7 days a week.

LES ENFANTS GATES Rue de Bertaimont, 40 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/72.39.73 les.enfants.gates.mons@gmail.com Closed on Saturday lunchtimes, Sunday evenings and Mondays.

L’ENVERS Rue de la Coupe, 20, - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/35.45.10 envers@skynet.be www.lenvers.net Closed on Sundays.

L’ESTAMINET Boulevard Charles Quint, 37b 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/84.74.40 Open Monday to Friday from 7pm to 11pm.

GOUT Rue d’Enghien, 11 - 7000 Mons Mobile : +32 (0) 476/63.18.26 lombardo_franco@hotmail.com Open by appointment - Table d’hôtes from 8 to 16 people.

LES GRIBAUMONTS Rue d’Havré, 95 - 7000 Mons Tel. : +32 (0) 65/75.04.55 Fax : +32 (0) 65/22.84.14 restaurant@lesgribaumonts.be www.restaurantlesgribaumonts.be Closed on Saturday lunchtimes, Sundays and Mondays.

MONS

LE VANNES Chaussée de Binche, 177 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/35.14.43 Fax : +32 (0) 65/35.57.58 Closed on Sunday evenings and Wednesdays.

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© Hans Kroonenberg

WHERE

TO SLEEP ?

Youth Hostel Rampe du Château, 2 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/87.55.70 Fax : +32 (0) 65/87.55.71 mons@lesaubergesdejeunesse.be www.lesaubergesdejeunesse.be

price 1 January April May December

price 2 February June August November

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price 3 March July September October

Including membership for the night

price 1 price 2 price 3

Bed in multiple room

€ 18

€ 21

€ 26

Bed in 2-bed room

€ 22

€ 27

€ 32

Bed in individual room

€ 30

€ 37

€ 44

Over 26 years of age Including membership for the night

price 1 price 2 price 3

Bed in multiple room

€ 20

€ 23

€ 28

Bed in 2-bed room

€ 24

€ 29

€ 34

Bed in individual room

€ 32

€ 39

€ 46

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For further information, please refer to our Guide to Gites and B&B’s.

Bed & Breakfasts LES ARQUEBUSIERS 18 Rue des Arquebusiers, 18 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/58.79.94 Mobile : +32 (0) 497/93.39.31 info@arquebusiers18.be www.arquebusiers18.be 1 bedroom Single 75€ Double80€ Breakfast included COMPAGNONS11 Rue des Compagnons, 11 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/33.44.14 Mobile : +32 (0) 499/99.76.60 info@compagnons11.be www.compagnons11.be 2 chambres Double 90€ (2 night : 160€) Double 100€ (2 night : 180€) Breakfast included

LES REMPARTS Rue Notre-Dame Débonnaire, 21 - 7000 Mons Mobile : +32 (0) 499/42.05.90 info@lesremparts21.be - www.lesremparts21.be 60€ for 1 person 70€ for 2 people Breakfast included A LA MALOGNE Rue de l’Espinette, 224 7033 Cuesmes (Mons) Mobile : +32 (0) 475/34.03.82 alamalogne@gmail.com www.alamalogne.com 1 bedroom Single €72 Double €80 Triple €100 Breakfast included FERME DE LA BLANCHE FONTAINE Rue du Petit Marais, 30 - 7011 Ghlin (Mons) Tel : +32 (0) 65/36.08.11 Mobile : +32 (0) 475/63.45.34 mail@fermedelablanchefontaine.be www.fermedelablanchefontaine.be 3 bedrooms Double bedroom 85€ Triple bedroom: 122.50€ Bedroom for 4 people 147.50€ Extra bed 25€ / 17.50€ (under-twelves) Breakfast included

Indicative prices

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MONS

Consult our Mons 2015 Citytrips programme on www.visitmons.be

LES CHAMBOURLETTES Rue Guy de Brès, 53 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/33.58.63 Mobile : +32 (0) 476/67.50.55 contact@leschambourlettes.be www.leschambourlettes.be The whole suite Occupation of 1 bedroom: 70€ for 1 person 80€ for 2 people Occupation of 2 bedrooms: 100€ for 2 or 3 people 125€ for 4 people

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Hôtels

HOTEL MERCURE MONS ****

SAINT-JAMES ***

Place de Flandre, 8 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/72.48.24 Fax : +32 (0) 65/72.48.11 hotelstjames@hotmail.com www.hotelstjames.be 21 bedrooms bedroom from 90 to 120€ Breakfast 12€ Car Park €10/night HÔTEL IBIS ***

Rue des Fusillés, 12 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/72.36.85 Fax : +32 (0) 65/72.41.44 www.mercure.com mercuremons@cgmhotels.com 53 bedrooms Single from 79 to 119€ Double from 79 to 119€ Extra single bed 15€ Breakfast 17€ Free car park INFOTEL ***

Boulevard Charles Quint, 27 b 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/84.74.40 Fax : +32 (0) 65/84.74.41 ibismons@cmghotels.com www.ibismons.be 72 bedrooms Single weekday : 89€ Double weekday : 89€ Week-end : 78€ riple extra : +20€/night Breakfast : 14€ - Car Park €9/night

Rue d’Havré, 32 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/40.18.30 Fax : +32 (0) 65/35.62.24 info@hotelinfotel.be www.hotelinfotel.be 34 bedrooms Room with all facilities 65€ Superior or family room from 86€ - breakfast Free parking – 50 metres from Grand-Place

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LE TERMINUS **

Place Léopold II, 3 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/ 34.05.64 Fax : +32 (0) 65/ 59.56.10 terminusmons@gmail.com www.le-terminus.be 12 bedrooms Single 60€ Double 70€ Triple 90€ Breakfast 8€/pers BEST WESTERN PLUS CASTEAU RESORT HOTEL ***(*)

CONGRES HOTEL MONS

Opening scheduled in spring 2015 Avenue Melina Mercouri 7000 Mons Tel: +32 (0) 65/39.02.07 info@hotelmons.eu www.hotelmons.be 125 bedrooms Single with breakfast 75€ Double with breakfast 85€ Family room with breakfast 105€ Royal Suite with breakfast 125€ Free car park

Chaussée de Bruxelles, 38 7061 Casteau (Soignies) Tel : +32 (0) 65/32.04.00 Fax : +32 (0) 65/72.84.44 info@casteauresort.be www.hotelcasteauresortmons.be 60 bedrooms + 30 apartments Standard single room from 78 to 132€ Standard double room from 91 to 152€ Comfort single room from 87 to 147€ Comfort double room from 95 to 157€ Executive 1 pers : from 141 to 186€ Executive 2 pers : from 161 to 206€ Breakfast included - Free car park

Rue des Arbalestriers, 112 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/32.78.00 Fax : +32 (0) 65/84.37.22 info@lido.be www.lido.be 116 bedrooms Single from 79 to 144€ Double from 89 to 155€ Suites 114 - 179€ Breakfast : 15€ private garage : 10€

MONS

BEST WESTERN PLUS LIDO ****

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DREAM ****

Route d’Ath, 119 - 7020 Nimy Tel : +32 (0) 65/87.11.01 Fax : +32 (0) 65/88.55.60 Mobile : +32 (0) 479/76.44.67 info@monte-cristo.eu www.monte-cristo.eu 12 bedrooms Single €79 (weekday) €69 (weekend) Double €89 (weekday) €79 (weekend) Triple €99 (weekday) €89 (weekend) Breakfast €12 Free car park Indicative prices

© visitMons Gregory Mathelot

Rue de la Grande Triperie, 17 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/32.97.20 Fax : +32 (0) 65/32.97.29 info@dream-mons.be www.dream-mons.be 57 bedrooms (dont suites royales) Single 94€ Double 112.50€ Extra person 20€ (aged 4 to 18) et 40€ (aged over 18) Suite 162.50€ Breakfast 12,5€ Free car park

LE MONTE CRISTO ***

L

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Mons - La Louvière - Hotels Network

Mons - La Louvière

HOTELS NETWORK More than sleep...

The best way to create your accomodation experience

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Lowest prices Unique packages Quick compare Direct contact with your hotel www.hotelsmll.be

More than sleep... visitMons-guide 2015-EN.indd 73

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© D Devos

CALENDAR

MONS 31 May 2015

Commonly known as “Doudou” the Ducasse is a week of collective jubilation that takes place in Mons on the weekend of Trinity Sunday each year.

Saturday 8pm. Descent of St Waltrude’s reliquary St Waltrude is the city’s founder and patron saint. The ceremony closes with the singing of “El Doudou”, the song that gives the entire week’s festivities their local nickname.

Sunday 9.30am. Procession. Some 1,500 participants, divided into about sixty groups, parade in period costumes, carrying the relics of St Waltrude. They make up the brotherhoods and guilds that, since the Middle Ages, have contributed to the wealth and power of the capital of Hainaut.

Sunday 12 noon. Pulling of the Golden Cart. At the end of the procession, thousands of spectators gather in front of the Car d’Or or Golden Coach and heave it up the sloping cobbled street that runs next to St Waltrude’s Collegiate Church. Tradition states that the Coach must go up the slope without stopping if the city is to avoid misfortune.

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© opt - Alex Kouprianoff

Doudou, Ritual Ducasse of Mons

Sunday 12.30pm. The Lumeçon duel. In

It will be half an hour of intense exaltation to

the middle of the Grand-Place, in front of the

the frenetic rhythm of Doudou. The dragon

Town Hall, St George fights the dragon in an

is finally brought down by St George with a

impressive traditional show. St George and

final pistol shot. All the Lumeçon characters

his supporters (the chin-chins) kill the dragon

enter the courtyard of the Town Hall, while

after about half an hour of fighting, encour-

the enthusiastic crowd shouts “the people

aged by the delirious crowd’s renditions of the

of Mons shall not die!”. The future of the

“El Doudou” song… it is unmissable.

city is secured and the party can continue.

International Festival of Military Music 31 May 2015 Concerts are held throughout the week, but the highlight is the parade in Tondreau Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

MONS CITY COUNCIL EVENTS DEPARTMENT

Tel : +32 (0) 65/40.51.93

Upcoming Trinity Sundays 22 May 2016 / 11 June 2017

visitMons-guide 2015-EN.indd 75

MONS

© opt - Alex Kouprianoff

© Photos C. Carpentier

(Admission free except Sunday).

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International Love Film Festival

Ducasse of Messines 20 to 22 March 2015

FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DU FILM D’AMOUR DE MONS ASBL Rue Arthur Warocqué, 59 7100 La Louvière Tel : +32 (0) 64/31.28.00 Fax : +32 (0) 64/31.28.01 www.fifa-mons.be

© AIJF.BE P.Botteriaux

20 to 27 February 2015 The programme for this exciting event is packed with emotion, audaciousness, originality and new experiences. In a spirit of openness, the festival is a place for artists and members of the public to meet and share their love of film.

In addition to a huge flower market, the Messines Ducasse includes a parade of giants: Batisse and Lalie accompanied by their children Biloute and Trinette.

M. LEPOMME Mobile : +32 (0) 479/44.35.09 lepommemichel@swing.be

Via Festival

12 to 22 March 2015

Cavalcade of Jemappes

© R Justamante_MURS

© visitMons Gregory Mathelot

5 & 6 April 2015

The VIA Festival VIA is the meeting point of performing arts and technological and digital creativity. Always more international and interdisciplinary, VIA reflects, from Maubeuge to Mons, the vitality of the contemporary scene. www.mons2015.eu

The Cavalcade brings together lots of confraternities of gilles, as well as bands and majorettes.

COMITÉ CAVALCADE Maison de la Vie Associative et des Loisirs Avenue du Roi Albert, 641 - 7012 Jemappes Tel : +32 (0) 65/22.04.70 - www.jemappes.be contact@sisg.be - www.sisg.be

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St John Bonfires 27 & 28 June 2015

“Festival estival au Carré” 28 June to 11 July 2015 Summer is back. The Festival au Carré is here again. Right in the centre of Mons, every year, these former stables are packed with excitement for two weeks of new experiences, crossover events and unexpected activities, both local area and from further afield...

Your chance to take part in the largest torch-lit procession in Belgium.

Rue de la Réunion, 6 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/33.64.17 v.latiers@mrw.wallonie.be www.feuxsaintjean.be

Les Collégiades 5, 12, 19 & 26 July 2015

SITE DE LA MAISON FOLIE Rue des Arbalestriers, 8 - 7000 Mons THÉÂTRE LE MANÈGE Rue des Passages, 1 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/39.59.39 contact@lemanege-mons.be www.lemanege.com

Tanks in Town

End August early September 2015

Recitals and Organ Concerts.

COLLÉGIALE SAINTE-WAUDRU Place du Chapitre - 7000 Mons www.waudru.be

12 to 15 July 2015 The programme includes show-jumping, dressage, carriage races and much more.

HIPPODROME DE WALLONIE Route de Wallonie, 31 - 7011 Ghlin Tel : +32 (0) 65/31.11.27 - www.jumpinghlin.be

Gatherings of armoured vehicles in Mons Mobile : +32 (0) 478/22.02.63 info@tanksintown.be www.tanksintown.be

MONS

Horse show of Wallonia

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Annual Heritage Days

12 & 13 September 2015

VISITMONS Grand-Place, 27 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/33.55.80 www.visitmons.be www.journeesdupatrimoine.be

Theatre in the Streets 18 to 20 September 2015

Beatles Day

17 October 2015 (to be confirmed) A programme of concerts and displays in tribute to the famous pop group.

SITE DU LOTTO MONS EXPO Avenue Thomas Edison, 2 - 7000 Mons M. Alain Cardon Tel : +32 (0) 65/22.85.62 Mobile : +32 (0) 473/41.37.38 contact@beatlesday.be - www.beatlesday.be

Ethias Tennis Trophy

from 3 October to 11 October 2015 This annual tournament brings together the best Belgian and Top 100 players, plus rising talents from around the world.

SITE DU LOTTO MONS EXPO Avenue Thomas Edison, 2 7000 Mons www.ethiastrophy.be

Mont Panisel Trial November 2015

Enjoy theatrical pleasures in the city’s historic centre.

MONS CITY COUNCIL EVENTS DEPARTMENT Tel : +32 (0) 65/40.51.91

Royal Mons Auto Moto Club Tel : +32 (0) 65/35.44.19 www.rmamc.be

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© Emmanuel Mathez

© Emmanuel Mathez

6 December 2015 to 5 January 2016 (to be confirmed) The 11th annual Christmas Market will be held on the Grand-Place. Visitors can enjoy a traditional Christmas tree, a skating rink and a Christmas market with about 50 stalls. As always, there will be various activities to delight both young and old including concerts, stilt-walkers, jugglers and fire eaters, creating a Christmas atmosphere throughout the city centre.

ASBL GESTION CENTRE VILLE Rue de la Seuwe - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/40.58.85 - Fax : +32 (0) 65/40.58.89 asbl.monscentreville@skynet.be - www.monscentreville.be

MONS

Christmas Market: “Mons Coeur en Neige”

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MONS

© David Bormans

LE GRAND OUEST

MONS 2015

THE GRAND OUEST Boussu, Colfontaine, Dour, Frameries, Hensies, Honnelles, Jurbise, Lens, Quaregnon, Quévy, Quiévrain, Saint-Ghislain The 12 municipalities of Mons-Borinage have together decided to be a part of the European Capital of Culture and were keen to showcase their own individuality for a day or a weekend for a communal event: the Grand Ouest.

Little known local stories, a heritage to rediscover, poetry walks, participative projects open to families, costumes to be designed, hidden heroes, local artists to be discovered, foodie heavens, worlds of ice, bike rides or horse-drawn carriage experiences: these are just some of things that will be happening throughout the Borinage.

Although the Grand Ouest project is well signposted enough to make sure you don’t lose your bearings, it is designed to make sure that everyone can find their own place, and each municipality in turn can identify its human resources, give its inhabitants’ imagination a boost and so encourage them to organise days that focus on how good life is, in a region that is ready and waiting to be discovered by everyone who lives in it.

Who can claim that they know every nook and cranny of the old villages, the back streets, the hidden waterways, the natural parks and other lesser known sites to the west of Mons?

The Grand Ouest will offer a warm welcome to everyone, a real joy to build. Together.

A project towards the west, for a region that deserves to take centre stage!

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MONS THE GRAND OUEST

THE GRAND OUEST

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SAINT-GHISLAIN

Did you know?

The St Ghislain Tourist Office can organise guided tours of the town for groups of 5 to 25 people. The tours start at the railway station and explore the district’s history and heritage.

Info : +32 (0) 65/78.41.41

T

he district of St Ghislain includes Baudour, Hautrage, Neufmaison, Sirault, Tertre and Villerot. It is a convivial town where industry, the countryside, commerce and nature rub shoulders.

From the impenetrable Stambruges Forest to Baudour Wood, where the Princesse de Ligne is buried, this area is a veritable green lung. Walks starting in the square in Sirault will lead you through a varied landscape of fields and woods. The tours of the Marionville Nature Reserve led

by Natagora allow visitors to discover this natural oasis.

On quite a different note, at the Belgium Cable Park, you can be introduced to the pleasures of wake-boarding and water-skiing on the Tertre lake. Culture is another of St Ghislain’s strengths.

The Ockegem Tower hosts a large number of exhibitions. The wonderful collections at the Train Space and Museum, not far from St Ghislain station, will fascinate you. Not forgetting the Memory Museum, with plenty of information about St Ghislain and its history. Throughout the year, St Ghislain puts on many festivals and events. For three weeks, the town’s streets are filled with dancing and singing during the World Folklore Festival. Uniquely in Wallonia, you can enjoy a ride in a helium balloon at St Ghislain, the pinnacle of the Ascension Day celebrations, which attract thousands of spectators. The Echo Festival, the Inter-Celtic Gathering and Neufmaison en Fête are some of the other highlights on the calendar.

The area played a significant role in the First World War, illustrated by the Tertre Memorial, dedicated to British and Commonwealth soldiers and inaugurated in 2013, as well as the many commemorative plaques in the streets of St Ghislain.

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St Ghislain Train Space and Museum Discover a marvellous collection of locomotives and numerous railwayana objects.

Tours by appointment. Admission: Free.

Guided tours for groups by prior arrangement. Price based on group size.

Memory Museum The Fairs Department, the only one in Wallonia, will take you on a fascinating journey, with games of skill, pipe throwing and a flea circus. A magical trip back through time to re-live the festive occasions enjoyed by our grandparents. The Memory Department will stimulate your imagination, or your cultural and industrial memories, through highlights in the life of Saint-Ghislain illustrated by postcards, archive documents, etc.

The museum is open on Tuesdays from 9am to 12 noon and from 1pm to 4pm, on Wednesdays from 9am to 4pm and on Fridays from 9am to 12 noon.

Admission : Adults : €2.50, Students : €2, Children under 6 : free, Groups of up to 20 people : €2/person.

Starting from Mons station; take the train heading to TOURNAI, SAINT GHISLAIN stop (13 mins.). Walk to ONZIEME RUE 1A (12 min.).

St Ghislain Aerodrome The aerodrome was originally built in 1974 by a group of enthusiastic pilots who devoted a great deal of time and care to make sure that it could be used to the full. It was rebuilt in 1992, and continues to develop through its dynamic flying school which enjoys an excellent reputation.

Rue de la Riviérette, 53 - 7330 Saint-Ghislain www.aeroclub-mons-borinage.be

SAINT-GHISLAIN

ESPACE-TRAIN – MUSÉE DU RAIL Gare de Saint-Ghislain - 7330 Saint-Ghislain M. Baudouin Dieu Mobile : + 32 (0) 475/95.68.93 pfttsp@gmail.com - www.pfttsp.be

MUSÉE DE LA FOIRE ET DE LA MÉMOIRE Onzième rue, 1A - 7330 Saint-Ghislain Tel : +32 (0) 65/66.81.57 museecommunal@saint-ghislain.be www.foire-memoire.be

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Mont Garni Golf Course

In a lovely natural setting, the Belgium Cable Park offers a number of different sporting activities, including cable skiing, wake-boarding, wake-skating, knee-boarding and bi-skiing as well as trampolining and fishing. Its 20 hectares of forest offer lovely walks for the whole family. For cyclists, there is a cutting-edge button lift and an obstacle course that is open to everyone. A well stocked pro shop and an equipment testing centre are also available.

Situated between Mons and Tournai, the Mont Garni Golf Course receives its members with a friendly atmosphere in a natural setting. A Club House in the Anglo-Norman style and a varied course make this a delightful Club. Extending over almost 65 hectares, the course, which was designed by the celebrated architects Tom McAuley and Jean-Noël Capart, has three circuits of 6 holes, with a large lake to trap the inaccurate…

BELGIUM CABLE PARK Rue de la Hamaide, 79 - 7333 Tertre Tel : +32 (0) 65 66 25 07 www.belgiumcablepark.be

GOLF DU MONT GARNI Rue du Mont Garni, 3 - 7331 Baudour Tel : +32 (0) 65/62.27.19 www.golfmontgarni.be

© Mont Garni

© Jumo

© Ville de Mons

Belgium Cable Park

Where to sleep?

Where to eat?

GÎTE RURAL ECOHOME RESORT SPA Rue de Longfaulx, 27 - 7332 Sirault Tel : +32 (0) 65/62.16.54 Mobile : +32 (0) 494/18.08.41 www.ecohomeresortspa.be 1 gîte for 2 to 4 people: €35/person/night

LE FAITOUT Place de la Résistance, 1 - 7331 Baudour Tel : +32 (0) 65/64.48.57 Mobile : +32 (0) 470/10.60.33 www.lefaitout-fernez.com

CHAMBRE D’HÔTES LE TERRIER Rue Emile Lété, 5 - 7332 Sirault Tel : +32(0) 65/62.20.93 Mobile : +32 (0) 476/39.96.80 www.le-terrier.be €55/person/night Breakfast included.

D’EUGÉNIE À EMILIE Place de la Résistance, 1 - 7331 Baudour Tel : +32 (0) 65/61.31.70 Mobile : +32 (0) 477/59.76.35 Fax : +32 (0) 65/61.31.79 www.eugenie-emilie.com LE FUNAMBULE Rue E. Lenoir, 52 - 7332 Sirault Tel : +32 (0) 65/66.70.07 www.lefunambule-resto.be

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09RESTAURANT Rue de la Riviérette, 53 7330 Saint-Ghislain Tel : +32 (0) 65/64.27.27 www.09restaurant.be L’OLIVE NOIRE Rue Grande, 74 7330 Saint-Ghislain Tel : +32 (0) 65/60.02.50 www.olivenoire.be LE NOIR BONNET (Awarded “Bistrot de Terroir” label) Rue de Chièvres, 291 7332 Sirault Tel : +32 (0) 65/62.13.74 www.lenoirbonnet.be

Local Specialities FERME CENSE DU MAYEUR Rue Louis Caty, 172 - 7331 Baudour Mobile : +32 (0) 498/41.07.67 info@censedumayeur.be

Calendar ASCENSION DAY CELEBRATIONS Thursday 14 May 2015 The traditional helium balloon ride, a unique experience in Wallonia, plus 60 stalls, a craft fair, a second-hand market, and much more.

Place Albert Elisabeth - 7330 Saint-Ghislain ST GHISLAIN WORLD FOLKLORE FESTIVAL From 31 May to 9 June 2015 This festival offers a fantastic opportunity to find out more about ancient folklore traditions from around the world.

Rue de Chièvres - 7333 Tertre Information: +32 (0) 65/71.00.10 www.festifolk.be

AUTUMN DUCASSE 9 to 11 October 2015 The programme includes kermesse bike racing throughout the weekend, a traditional farmers’ market and the procession of SaintGhislain on Sunday morning. www.sisg.be “SAINT-GHISLAIN AU FIL DE L’EAU” 17 and 18 October 2015 Behind this mysterious title, worthy of a novel by Jules Verne, is a day packed with ideas for (re)discovering Quaregnon, from some brand new, original perspectives, surrounded by all the riches of the heart of the Borinage: a treasure hunt, interactive walks, living historic pictures, fun bike rides, a ball lit by paper lanterns, near the slagheaps – pyramids and beacons – the town hall and a closing banquet brought to life with sound and light.

Grand’Place 7330 Saint-Ghislain By train - Stop: Saint-Ghislain station By bus (Lines 1, 7 and 14) Stop: Saint-Ghislain station

Information

SAINT-GHISLAIN

LA CANETTE DE CUIVRE Avenue Louis Goblet, 14 7331 Baudour Tel : +32 (0) 65/64.36.87

ST GHISLAIN TOURIST OFFICE

Place des Combattants, 27 7330 Saint-Ghislain Tel : +32 (0) 65/78.41.41 Fax : +32 (0) 65/77.74.17 contact@sisg.be www.sisg.be

The above list is non exhaustive

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QUAREGNON

L

ocated at the heart of the Borinage region, this district is home to part of the Marionville bird and nature reserve, listed as a Walloon Heritage Site in 1991.

It bears many scars from its industrial past, especially its coalmines. However, black has been replaced by green: green plants now grow on the black spoil heaps, which have become oases of nature and are packed with precious biotopes that are protected. A number of footpaths have been laid out through the area to create trails that help visitors see a different side of Quaregnon: its history, heritage, environment, twin towns and local specialities.

There are several buildings that will delight fans of architecture, particularly the Tower of St Quentin’s Church, the only part of the Romanesque church that still stands, the outer wall of the Château du Diable (Devil’s Castle) and the Art Deco Town Hall. There is a rich and varied programme of events and cultural activities, organised by the Quaregnon Culture Centre, as well as events such as the Cavalcade de Quaregnon, the Piano Festival., the “rendez-vous BD”,…

Quaregnon played an important role during the First World War, illustrated by the monument to those who died in the Grand-Place and the commemorative plaques in the town’s streets.

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Town Hall In the Grand-Place stands the fully restored Art Deco Town Hall, designed by the architects Bodson and Lhoir. Its imposing front steps, magnificent entrance and square tower make it stand out, towering above its surroundings. It also houses a handful of frescos by the painter Fernand Allard L’Olivier, which have been on display here since 1978.

HÔTEL DE VILLE DE QUAREGNON Grand-Place – 7390 Quaregnon Starting from Mons station; take bus line 7 heading to MONS-QUAREGNON-ST-GHISLAIN-BOUSSU-DOUR, QUAREGNON 4 Pavés stop (15 mins.). Walk to the GRAND PLACE (3 mins.).

Tower of St Quentin’s Church

Our Lady of Lourdes Cave This cave was inagurated as a place of devotion to the Virgin Mary in 1903 by Father Charles Mahieu. It is visited by crowds of pilgrims each year on the second Sunday in September.

QUAREGNON

This tower is the only part of the church that remains. The Romanesque church was begun in the 11th century, but not completed until the 15th century. Finally, in the 18th century, a new parish church was built and the old church was demolished, except for its tower, which was incorporated into the new building. Archaeological digs carried out during renovation work on the Grand-Place in August 2008 revealed the tomb of a rich Merovingian lady, which contained, among other treasures, a fantastic collection of jewellery (including necklaces, a pearl bracelet and a fibula).

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Did you know?

To preserve and encourage biodiversity, Quaregnon has set up beehives on the roof of the Town Hall.

Grand Place, 1 - 7390 Quaregnon Tel : +32 (0) 65/46 86 11 - commune@quaregnon.be www.hotel-de-miel.jimdo.com -The beehives have their own webcam where you can watch the bees live! Click on the webcam tab of the blog for this project.

Allard l’Olivier Hall The town’s cultural hotspot hosts concerts, shows and plays. It also displays paintings

Quaregnon Cultural Centre Founded in 1991, the centre is housed in an Art Deco building built in 1932 to the designs of the architect Pigeolet. It offers a wide range of activities each year, including exhibitions of paintings, sculpture, drawings and photos; shows; concerts and plays. The highpoint of each year is the International Piano Festival.

by Fernand Allard l’Olivier and is available for hire for cultural events. www.salle-allard-lolivier.be

From Mons Station, take bus no. 7 towards Mons-Quaregnon-St Ghislain-BoussuDour alight at Quaregnon Chemin du Tour (16 minutes) then walk to Quaregnon Maison Culturelle (1 minute).

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Where to eat?

Agenda

DIMITRI Place du Sud, 27 7390 Quaregnon Tel : +32 (0) 65/67.50.69 Closed on Tuesday, Wednesday lunchtime and Saturday lunchtime.

CAVALCADE DE QUAREGNON 5 April 2015 An impressive carnival parade, founded in 1925.

Grand-Place, 1 - 7390 Quaregnon Tel : +32 (0) 65/46.86.11 commune@quaregnon.be www.quaregnon.be

LE PETIT RESTAURANT DE MARTINE Rue du Village 127 - 7390 Quaregnon Tel : +32 (0) 65/78.31.96 LES BALKANS Grand-Place, 9-11 - 7390 Quaregnon Tel : +32 (0) 65/78.67.69 Closed Mondays and Wednesdays.

Local Specialities LE CRAQUEGNON (cheese factory) Rue du Village, 143 7390 Quaregnon Tel : +32 (0) 65/77.00.07 BOUTIQUE LE CHAMP PAGNON Grand-Place 7390 Quaregnon Tel : +32 (0) 65/46.86.61

“TREASURES OF THE BLACK PYRAMIDS” 4 July 2015 This mysterious title, worthy of Jules Verne novel, conceals a day full of ideas to (re-) explore.

Quaregnon, seen in a new and original light among the delights at the heart of the Borinage, with a treasure hunt, interactive trails, living historical scenes, all surrounded by the spoil heaps – pyramids and lighthouse – Town Hall and a closing banquet with Son et Lumière.

Grande Place and surrounding area 7390 Quaregnon

By Bus (Lines 7 and 9) - Stop: 4 Pavés

QUAREGNON

Information BOUTIQUE LE CHAMP PAGNON (Tourist information) Grand-Place, 7 - 7390 Quaregnon Tel : +32 (0) 65/46.86.61 QUAREGNON LOCAL AUTHORITY Grand-Place, 1 - 7390 Quaregnon Tel : +32 (0) 65/46 86 11 commune@quaregnon.be - www.quaregnon.be

The above list is non exhaustive

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Š J-P Grandmont

HENSIES

T

he district of Hensies encompasses the villages of Hainin, Montroeul-sur-Haine, Thulin and Hensies. The Hensies-Pommeroeul Canal and the River Haine flow through it. The river gives its name to, among others, the villages of Hainin and Montroeul-sur-Haine. Hensies has many other bodies of water, including the Van Gheyt Lake, as well as plenty of green spaces, making it a perfect destination for a relaxing break.

Fiercely proud of its religious heritage, the district has recently restored the organs in the churches of St George (at Hensies) and St Martin (at Thulin). The local economy grew rapidly in the past, driven by its collieries, which attracted workers from far and wide, with the result that today Hensies is home to 21 different nationalities. To make the most of its cultural diversity, a group of volunteers set themselves the goal of creating a kitchen garden, growing different varieties of fruit and vegetables from their homelands. The garden is open to the public on one weekend each year.

Another initiative is the 19th Century Festival held on the 2nd weekend of August each year.

Crafts also play a significant role in Hensies. Lots of fantastic farm produce is available from a number of farms, talented florists offer all the benefits of their expert knowledge and, among others, the Hainin butcher’s shop has plenty of unique charcuterie (cooked meat) products to choose from.

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where to sleep?

AUBERGE LE XIXÈME *** Place de Thulin, 2 - 7350 Thulin Tel : +32 (0) 65/65.01.56 Fax : +32 (0) 65/63.22.90 info@auberge-le-xix.be www.auberge-le-xix.be 19 bedrooms Single : 60€ Double : 95€ Triple : 120€ Breakfast : 7.50€

Where to eat?

Z’HENSIESBAR Place communale, 10 7350 Thulin Tel : +32 (0) 65/77.71.73 Le ZHensiesbar Patata et Patati

Calendar “HENSIES, VILLAGE OF THE WORLD” 20 juin 2015 Hensies, a historic area offering a warm welcome to more than 21 communities from around the world, invites you to spend Saturday taking in the beautiful countryside – on foot, horseback, bike, train, cart or cuistax – exploring its four villages packed with enriching musical, culinary and artisan traditions. On this first day of summer, which is also the Fête de la Musique, enjoy a mini-festival with the family, including ethnic concerts designed to nurture friendship and fraternity.

La Ferme Montreul Rue du Fayt, 33 7350 Montreul-sur-Haine

DA CLAUDIO Rue Jean Jaurès 6 - 7350 Thulin Tel : +32 (0) 65/63.16.41 Closed on Tuesday evenings, Wednesdays and Saturday lunchtimes.

AUBERGE LE XIXÈME Place de Thulin, 2 - 7350 Thulin Tel : +32 (0) 65/65.01.56 Fax : +32 (0) 65/63.22.90 info@auberge-le-xix.be www.auberge-le-xix.be Closed on Mondays.

BOUCHERIE ANNE ET MICHEL PICRON Rue Hainain, 21 7350 Hainain Tel/Fax : +32 (0) 65/65.28.25 fermeboucherie@picron.be www.fermeboucherie-picron.be

Information

HENSIES

Local Specialities

HENSIES LOCAL AUTHORITY Place Communale, 1 7350 Hensies Tel : +32 (0) 65/76.73.52 www.hensies.be

The above list is non exhaustive

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Š OTMons - TMarinkovic

LENS

L

ens is a district made up of the villages of Bauffe, Cambron-Saint-Vincent, Lens, MontignieslezLens, and Lombise. Its lanes and alleys feature some remarkable buildings, including chapels, a calvary and a mill on the River Dender. Famous past residents of Lens include the artist, painter, sculptor and cartoonist Paul Cuvelier. Bauffe and Cambron-Saint-Vincent are essentially farming villages, perfect for walks and rides of all kinds. Montignies-lez-Lens, famous for breeding Belgian horses, is home to many remarkable farms, including Le Cense du Marais and Le Cense du Parc with its ruined watermill on the River Dender. There is also the Our Lady of Lourdes Cave, hewn out of solid rock in 1895, and famous for its pilgrimage on 15 August. It is a copy of the famous cave in Lourdes and is a hidden gem at the end of a nondescript path. It is also known as the Grotte Notre-Dame des Bouloirs. Then there is Lombise with its stunning Grand-Place. Other fascinating features include the Chapelle de Notre Dame du Cerisier, built in around 1666 and the convent on the Avenue de l’Yser.

Our Lady of Lourdes Cave The Cave of Montignies-lez-Lenz was built as a replica of the cave at Lourdes. It is a little gem located at the end of a discreet path. It is also called Cave Notre-Dame des Bouloirs and was created in 1895.

GROTTE NOTRE-DAME DE LOURDES www.montignies-lez-lens.be

Take the train towards Ath, alight at Lens (17 minutes) walk to the intersection with Rue des Bouloirs (13 minutes)

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© OTMons - TMarinkovic

Grand-Place in Lombise The Grand-Place in Lombise is a real treat for anyone who takes the time to marvel at the reflection of the Spanish Baroque-style houses and Neo-Romanesque church in the moat.

Did you know?

AUBERGE DE LENS *** Rue du Calvaire, 12 - 7870 Lens Tel : +32 (0) 65/22.90.41 aubergedelens@tvcablenet.be 6 chambres + 1 aparthotel Single : 50€ / Double : de 65€ à 75€ Triple : 95€ Petit-déjeuner et parking inclus GÎTE RURAL ECOHOME RESORT SPA Rue des Chauffours, 46 - 7870 Lens Christiane Lhoir Tel : +32 (0) 65/22.96.46 couturelle.lens@gmail.com Capacité : 4/6 personnes De 180 à 350€

Where to eat?

AUX 3 RUELLES Rue des Trois Ruelles, 1 - 7870 Lens Mobile : +32 (0) 473/57.03.95 troisruelles@yahoo.fr - www.trois-ruelles.be Open 7/7 LA FONTAINE D’ARGENT Rue de Masnuy, 19 - 7870 Lens Tel : +32 (0) 65/22.69.76 www.fontainedargent.be LA MAISON DU COCHER French Cuisine Place de Lombise - 7870 Lens Tel : +32 (0) 68/45.52.23

The above list is non exhaustive

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Agenda PÈLERINAGE À MONTIGNIES-LEZ-LENS 15 August 2015. Every year, a pilgrimage is organised to pray at the Our Lady of Lourdes Cave, a sacred place for inhabitants of the village and the surrounding area.

“PAUL CUVELIER, LES CHEMINS DU MERVEILLEUX” 19-20 September The theme of the comic book will be tackled by the Lens-born artist Paul Cuvelier. An exhibition will present his works, variations of his immense talent, with paintings and original plates, as well as others by a whole host of illustrators as a tribute to him. A great opportunity to visit Lens with your family to dive into the adventure (from Red Indians to the circus) and the flavours of the countries visited in comic books.

Place de la Trinité - 7870 Lens By train - Stop: Gare de Lens

Information

LENS

© OTMons - TMarinkovic

Where to sleep?

The artist Paul Cuvelier was one of Hergé’s colleagues and creator of the cartoon hero Corentin. In his workshop on the Rue des Soeurs Noires in Mons, he helped to put together the famous Tintin magazine. Today, his brother lives in the Grand-Place in Lens.

LENS LOCAL AUTHORITY

Place de la Trinité, 1 - 7870 Lens Tel : +32 (0) 65/22.04.11 - www.lens.be

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JURBISE

Did you know?

The famous poet and novelist Pierre Coran was born in Jurbise. The first of his 130 novels was published 50 years ago, and the multiple prizewinning author still enjoys writing and being read.

L

ocated between Mons and Ath, Jurbise is a rural district made up of the villages of Erbaut, Erbisoeul, Herchies, Jurbise, Masnuy-Saint-Jean and Masnuy-Saint-Pierre. As it is off the beaten track, it is an ideal place for walkers to explore chapels and farms that have been lovingly maintained. These include the Ferme de Saint Moulin in Herchies, and the Ferme de Gipleux for with its magnificent gatehouse dating back to 1743, decorated with the coat of arms of the Counts of Hainaut.

Architectural heritage is one of Jurbise’s real strengths, thanks in no small part to its many nearby chateaux, including the Château des Viviers and the Château d’Herchies, also known as the Château d’Egmont.

The district has many other fascinating features, such as the Locquet Fountain in Herchies, whose water laps against bluestone, carved by Jean Bersoux, a stonemason from Soignies.

The most impressive attraction is the Chêne à Clous in Herchies, a Walloon Heritage Site since 1985. The more athletic among you can enjoy lots of walks throughout the area, or a few rounds of golf at the Royal Hainaut Golf Club.

With its folklore and impressive calendar of events, including the Ducasses in Herchies and Erbisoeul, the St Bartholomew’s Procession and the Beer Festival, there’s something for everyone in this welcoming cluster of villages.

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The “Chêne à Clous in Herchies” The ancient oak tree which stood here for 400 years, known as El Quêne à Claus in local dialect, was said to have magical healing powers.

The wounded person would attach a bandage or piece of cloth that has come into contact with the wound to the trunk to have the wound healed. The original tree died in 1950, when it was replaced with the current oak tree. www.herchies.be/arbres.htm

Castle of Herchies In Herchies, there is an imposing medieval fortress. The dungeon, made of bricks, was built between the 14th and the 15th centuries.

At the end of the 16th century, the Berlaymont family built a mansion, which was abandoned until 1901. At that time, Canon Puissant bought the site, dug the moat and reconstructed the buildings. A lawyer lived in the castle for a while and then a community of Benedictines settled in it and the castle became a priory.

Visits are possible only with prior authorisation.

Royal Hainaut Golf Club

CHÂTEAU D’HERCHIES Avenue du Château d’Egmont - 7050 Herchies Tel : +32 (0) 65/22.52.62 Starting from Mons station; take bus route 14 heading to MONS-GHLIN-BAUDOUR-TERTRE-ST GHISLAIN, BAUDOUR Place stop (28 mins.) Take bus route 10 heading to SAINTGHISLAIN-TERTRE-BAUDOUR-HERCHIES, HERCHIES Route d’ Erbaut stop (13 mins.).

Walk to the junction of AVENUE DU CHATEAU D’EGMONT/RUE DE FRANCQUEGNIES (3 mins.). Route 10 only runs during term time.

ROYAL GOLF CLUB DU HAINAUT Rue de la Verrerie, 2 - 7050 Erbisoeul Tel : +32 (0) 65/22.02.00 Fax : +32 (0) 65/22.02.09 info@golfhainaut.be - www.golfhainaut.be

JURBISE

Nestled in stunning countryside, the Royal Hainaut Golf Club boasts three 9-hole courses designed by the architect Hawtree.

With its 27 holes and unique natural setting, it presents plenty of challenges for players of all levels, and the courses are a real pleasure to play.

Starting from Mons station; take bus line 16 heading to MONS-ERBISOEUL-MASNUY-JURBISEHERCHIES, ERBISOEUL Golf stop (26 mins.) Walk to the junction of RUE DE LA VERRERIE 2 (1 min.)

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Where to sleep?

HOTEL UTOPIA *** Chaussée Brunehault, 392 b 7050 Masnuy-Saint-Jean Tel : +32 (0)65/84.87.85 Fax : +32 (0)65/84.52.37 www.utopia-hotel.com info@utopia-hotel.com 33 bedrooms Loft : 75€ à 129€ Comfort room : from 85€ to 140€ Suite : from 105€ to 195€ Prestige suite : from 160€ to 320€ Breakfast : 13€, 6€ (child aged 6 to 12) Free car park

Where to eat?

LA VILLA Route d’Ath, 150 - 7050 Jurbise Tel : +32 (0) 65/82.42.22 www.lavillajurbise.be Closed Monday evening and Tuesday and Sunday LE GRILL EN HERBES Rue de Ghlin, 2 - 7050 Jurbise Tel : + 32 (0) 65/84.48.48 www.legrillenherbes.be Saturdays and non-bank holiday Mondays.

LES SALINES Chée de Brunehault, 392b 7050 Masnuy-st-Jean Tel : +32 (0) 65/84.87.85 Closed Saturday lunchtime, Sunday evening and Monday

Local Specialities ASPERGE WALLONNE Rue du Grand Caillou, 48 - 7050 Erbisoeul http://aspergewallonne.be Farm producing asparagus, strawberries and chicory.

CHÈVRERIE DE LA PETITE VACRESSE Rue Petite, 112 - 7050 Herchies Mobile : +32 (0) 475/22.53.59

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MAISON SCOUFLAIRE Rue du Plouys 51 - 7050 Herchies Tel : +32 (0) 65/82.27.30 Fax : +32 (0) 65/82.37.07 philippe@maisonscouflaire.com www.maisonscouflaire.com

Calendar HERCHIES DUCASSE AT WHITSUN From 23 to 25 May 2015 The programme includes concerts, walks and a real highlight, the fun cycling rally Grand-Place, 7050 Herchies TELL ME ABOUT JURBISE 7 June 2015 An invitation to explore Jurbise through poetry in all its forms: readings in the woods, local patois, wordplay and artistic installations. By inviting inhabitants to demonstrate their talent, Jurbise will be putting on a real poetic promenade.

Town centre – 7050 Jurbise

By Train - Stop: Gare de Jurbise JURBISE DUCASSE July 2015 Concerts, fireworks, sports, etc.

Rue du Moustier, 8 – 7050 Jurbise JURBISE CHRISTMAS MARKET December 2015 Christmas Market in the Galant Hall and Christmas Concert at St Eloi’s Church.

Rue du Moustier, 8 - 7050 Jurbise

Information JURBISE LOCAL AUTHORITY

Rue du Moustier, 8 - 7050 Jurbise Tel : +32 (0) 65/37.74.20 Fax : +32 (0) 65/37.74.35 info@jurbise.be - www.jurbise.be

The above list is non exhaustive

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TOURISM, CULTURE AND HERITAGE IN THE PROVINCE OF HAINAUT Hainaut contains more surprises and discoveries than you can imagine! The Province offers an unequalled concentration of tourism and culture. Not only has Hainaut preserved numerous remains from its exceptional past, but the Province also possesses19 tangible and intangible sites recognised by UNESCO as part of the Worldwide Heritage of Humanity.

Certain major events in the future, such as Mons Hainaut 2015, European Capital of Culture, will stimulate an un-missable effervescence of art and culture. For visitors seeking leisure and entertainment, Hainaut also offers attractions combining relaxation and exploration, recreational and sporting activities on the numerous lakes and natural sites in the Province, such as: So, are you ready to have a good time in Hainaut?

FÉDÉRATION DU TOURISME DE LA PROVINCE DE HAINAUT 31, Rue des Clercs– 7000 MONS - Tel : +32 (0) 65/39.75.60 - www.hainauttourisme.be

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BOUSSU

Did you know?

The Confrérie du Comté (broterhood) was set up in 2013, to encouraging local craftsmen to make cheesecakes.

M

ade up of the villages of Boussu and Hornu, this district, whose name means “place where there are many box trees”, is in the Borinage, a region that was once a wellknown coal-mining area.

The Grand-Hornu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012, as well as a Major Walloon Heritage Site, encompasses the ruins of a former coalmine and some of the miners’ cottages. It thus reminds us of the mining culture that is such as key part of the area’s history.

Boussu also has some other interesting buildings, including its castle, St Gery’s Church, the kiosk in the Grand-Place and the Funerary Chapel of the Lords of Boussu, which make it well worth a visit. Nature lovers won’t feel left out either. From the Castle Park with its remarkable trees, and the 2 km (1,08 mi) nature trail to the Gérin Park along the Hanneton valley with its MAYA beehives, Boussu is a fantastic natural attraction.

Throughout the year, the town council puts on plenty of festivals and events. During the OpenDoor Heritage Days weekend, some 8,000 people come along to take part in the activities at the castle. Boussu’s Sunday morning market is one of the biggest in the region, attracting a sizeable crowd every week. Hornu en Fête, the Boussu jumble sale, and the exhibitions at MAC’s and Grand-Hornu Images are just some of the highlights of the annual calendar. Crafts are also a distinctive feature of Boussu. A number of local specialities, including the Apéritif du Château and the Castle’s beer and wine are sold in the town.

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The funerary chapel of the Lords of Boussu, near St Gery’s Church, houses the best collection of Renaissance tombs in Belgium, along with urns, effigies, a rood-screen and an interesting collection of religious art. The northern facade of the chapel was modified during the 16th century and bears the motto of the Lords of Boussu: “GySeray-Boussu”.

Boussu Castle It is in Boussu that you can find the remains of the “palace of Boussu, the most beautiful house to be seen anywhere in the Lowlands, a house fit for a king…” (Guichardin).

In 1540, Jean de Hennin-Liétard, the first Count of Boussu and Grand Ecuyer of the Emperor Charles V, built a castle including a square building a hundred metres by a hundred metres, with stables big enough to house nearly three hundred horses. In 1810, it was all demolished, apart from the entrance building which was in turn, destroyed during the Second World War. In November 2010, restoration work began on this entrance. The archaeological site and the 16th century entrance building, listed as examples of “exceptional heritage of Wallonia” are set in a lush green estate covering twelve hectares and including the romantic English park designed when Maurice de Caraman (1769- 1835), the last Count of Boussu, was in residence.

Open from May to September, Sundays from 10am to 12pm. During the programme of events for “Mons 2015” (autumn), the chapel will be open every day (see detailed programme).

Starting from Mons station; take bus route 9 heading to MONS-QUAREGNON-BOUSSU-BOIS Temple-DOUR, BOUSSU Place stop (29 mins.)

Walk to RUE LEON FIGUE (4 mins.)

CHAPELLE FUNÉRAIRE DES SEIGNEURS DE BOUSSU Rue Léon Figue – 7300 Boussu

Museum due to open: May 2015.

The park is open free of charge : from 1 March to 31 October, every day from 9am to 6pm and from 1 November to 28 February, every day from 9am to 4.30pm.

Guided tours of the park and the castle (monument + museum) only for groups and booking essential. Average duration: 2h00.

Starting from Mons station; take bus line 7 heading to MONS-QUAREGNON-ST GHISLAIN-BOUSSU-DOUR, BOUSSU Dépôt S.N.C.V. stop (36 mins.) walk to the BOUSSU Rue du Moulin stop (6 mins.)

SITE DU CHÂTEAU DE BOUSSU Rue du Moulin, 43 - 7300 Boussu Tel / Fax : +32 (0) 65/77.82.65 info@chateaudeboussu.be www.chateaudeboussu.be

BOUSSU

Chapel of the Lords

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Grand-Hornu MAC’s / Grand-Hornu Images (CID*) major international temporary exhibitions of contemporary art and high quality design.

Guided tours available on request, as well as the option to hire an audio-guide.

*(innovation and design centre at Grand-Hornu)

© De Gobert

Designated as a world Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2012, the Grand-Hornu site is located in the heart of Hainaut province and is a jewel in the crown of 19th century European industrial heritage. This fantastic heritage site has belonged to Hainaut Province since 1989 and is now one of the most important showcases for contemporary creativity in Belgium.

As well as its commitment to promoting this unique site’s architectural riches, the teams at MAC’s and Grand-Hornu Images focus their work on contemporary creativity, putting on

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© De Gobert

See programme on page 102 or at www.grand-hornu and www.mac-s.be

Free on the first Sunday of the month and the first Wednesday of the month for schools.

Admission : Adults €8, Concessions €4, Children and members of school groups €2.

No entry charge for children under 6.

SITE DU GRAND-HORNU MAC’S / GRAND-HORNU IMAGES (CID) Rue Sainte-Louise, 82 - 7301 Hornu (Boussu) Tel : +32 (0) 65/65.21.21 accueil.site@grand-hornu.be www.grand-hornu.eu - www.mac-s.be

Starting from Mons station; take bus line 7 heading to MONS-QUAREGNON-ST GHISLAIN-BOUSSU-DOUR, HORNU MAC’s stop (22 mins.). Walk to RUE SAINTE-LOUISE 92 (9 mins.)

BOUSSU

Open: From Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm.

Closed on 25 December and 1 January.

* These tickets give admission to the temporary exhibitions at the MAC’s and to Grand-Hornu Images, and the Grand-Hornu Site.

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Programme : 21 September > 4 January 2015 : Heirs’ laboratory exhibition (GHI) 25 January 2015 > 19 April 2015 : “Archaic future” (GHI) 15 March 2015 > 16 August 2015 : “The room of hanging men. Christian Boltanski” (MAC’s) (official Partner of Mons 2015) 10 May 2015 > 13 September 2015 : Jasper Morrison (GHI) (official Partner of Mons 2015) 4 October 2015 > 10 January 2016 : Chevalier-Masson (GHI) 18 October 2015 > 17 January 2016 : “The Man, the Dragon and Death” (MAC’s) Through representations of the legend of Saint George, whose battle with the dragon is still the best known and the best represented, the goal of this exhibition is to show that the tradition of the image of Saint George and the historic knowledge that we have of him, give us the unique privilege of being a powerful driving force for the imagination.

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Where to eat?

Calendar

ROMANO Rue Neuve, 18 - 7300 Boussu Tel: +32 (0) 65/60.06.02 sebastienromano@hotmail.com Closed on Sunday evening and Monday.

BOUSSU MARKET Every Sunday morning This market celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2010, and is one of the biggest in the region.

Place de Boussu - 7300 Boussu

L’ORANGERIE Route de Mons, 102 - 7301 Hornu Tel: +32 (0) 65/78.50.29 Fax : +32 (0) 65/78.19.37 www.orangeriehornu.be Closed on Sunday evening, Monday evening and Tuesday evening.

OPEN-DOOR HERITAGE DAYS 12 and 13 September 2015 There will be many activities at Boussu Castle.

Rue du Moulin 43 - 7300 Boussu www.journeesdupatrimoine.be

Local Specialities BRASSERIE DESEVEAUX Brewery that makes “Sarazen” buckwheat beer.

Rue d’Hanneton, 8 – 7300 Boussu Tel/Fax : + 32 (0) 65/69.12.42 info@brasserie-deseveaux.be www.brasserie-deseveaux.be ETS L.VUYLSTEKE Wine merchant who makes the Apéritif du Château de Boussu.

Rue de Valenciennes, 97 - 7301 Hornu Tel: +32 (0) 65/78.49.61 info@vins-vuylsteke.be www.vins-vuylsteke.be CHÂTEAU DE BOUSSU HONEY Rue du Moulin, 43 - 7300 Boussu Tel/ Fax : +32 (0) 65/77.82.65 info@chateaudeboussu.be www.chateaudeboussu.be The recently installed MAYA beehives should produce their first honey in 2014.

“FOLK FROM HERE” 20 and 21 March 2015 “Boussu has just given us a glimpse of 20 and 21 March 2015: exhibitions, panorama, musical events, flavours of the world, theatre, dance, events on the theme of photography. Boussu Town Hall and Château, Garance, Hornu Town Hall and Quai Saint Martin are the chosen venues.

Boussu will be rather like a European capital, for a short but exceptional weekend”.

Maison Communale/Parc du château de Boussu - 7300 Boussu By train: Gare de Jurbise By bus (Lines 7 and 9) - Stop: Place HORNU EN FÊTE August 2015. The programme includes exhibitions, concerts, and, to finish on a real high, the Brûlage de Bouboule (bonfire) on Sunday evening. Grand-Place - 7301 Hornu

BOUSSU

L’UBIQUITÉ Site du Grand-Hornu/MAC’s Rue Sainte Louise, 82 - 7301 Hornu Tel: +32 (0) 65/61.38.76 Closed on Monday, Tuesday evening, Wednesday evening, Thursday evening and Sunday.

Information Boussu District council

Rue François Dorzée, 3 - 7300 Boussu Tel: +32 (0) 65/71.73.00 - www.boussu.be

The above list is non exhaustive

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HAUTS-PAYS NATURE PARK

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he Hauts-Pays Nature Park extends across part or all of the territory of the following six districts: Colfontaine, Dour (Blaugies, Petit-Dour, Wihéries and the southern part of Elouges), Frameries (Sars-la-Bruyère, the southern part of Eugies and Noirchain), Honnelles, Quévy and Quévrain (Baisieux and Audregnies). The park’s attractions are many and varied. There are historic buildings, natural landscapes, local artisans and agricultural producers of note. What better way to spend a leisurely afternoon than exploring what the park has to offer?

Le Brigand Moneuse Antoine-Joseph Moneuse (1768-1798) was a “famous” bandit commanding a gang called “les chauffeurs du Nord”. They would to heat their victims’ feet to make them talk.

The bandit gang was held responsible for the “drame de la Houlette” in Roisin that left 9 people dead.

Charles Bernier Charles Bernier was an internationally renowned engraver, and very attached to his home district of Honnelles. In 1949, Angre paid tribute to him by naming a street after him and in 2010, a smaller copy of the sculptor Raset’s bronze statue of him was erected by the bridge there.

Do not miss BOIS D’AUDREGNIES Chemin de Montignies 7382 Quiévrain BOIS D’ANGRE Chemin du Caillou-qui-Bique 7387 Honnelles Tel : +32 (0) 65/46.09.38 CHAPELLE SAINT-ROCH Syndicat d’Initiative du Haut-Pays Rue Fulgence Masson, 7 7387 Montignies-sur-Roc www.haut-pays.be BOIS DE RAMPEMONT Rue Goutrielle – 7387 Honnelles

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HISTORY YOU CAN VISIT, IN THE HAUTS-PAYS Fénélon House - Château de Montignies-sur-Roc - Rampemont Fortified Farmhouse – Sars Castle keep - St Andrew’s Church (Audregnies) - St John-the-Baptist’s Church (Sars-la-Bruyère) - St Martin’s Church (Angre) - St Martin’s Church (Givry) - St Martin’s Church (QuévylePetit) - Mulpas Museum - Emile Verhaeren Museum - Hunters’ Lodge (Sars-la-Bruyère) - Open-air Theatre - Tour Colombier (dovecote tower), also called “Le Pigeonnier”.

THE HAUTS-PAYS , A GREEN OASIS The Hauts-Pays Nature Park offers a number of waymarked walking trails through beautiful countryside.

A map showing the trails is on sale (€5) at the following locations :

Royal Syndicat d’Initiative du Haut-Pays (7 Place Fulgence Masson - 7387 Montignies-sur-Roc).

Tel : +32 (0) 65/63.17.37

Le “Caillouqui-Bique” (The Jutting Rock) This 25m (82ft)-high outcrop of 370-millionyear- old sedimentary rock is the emblem of the Hauts-Pays district and its long history.

According to legend, Satan decided to stop at nothing to prevent St Remacle from building Stavelot Abbey. He set out with a massive boulder on his shoulder with which he intended to crush the offending structure. His journey took him through the Grand Honnelle valley, where he saw a poor man in worn-out shoes carrying a huge, unwieldy sack. The devil asked the man how far it was to Stavelot.

What he didn’t know was that the poor man

Maison du Tourisme de la Région de Mons Grand-Place, 27 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0)65/33.55.80

was an envoy of St Remacle. Some even say that it was the saint himself. In any case, he told Satan that he had come from Stavelot and that it was a long and arduous journey, in the course of which he had worn out countless pairs of shoes, boots and sandals of all sorts, which was why he was carrying a huge sack of fresh footwear. Satan, disgusted and discouraged, dropped the boulder right there on the riverside and abandoned it. Ever since, it has jutted out over the Hauts-Pays.

LE “CAILLOU-QUI-BIQUE” Chemin du Caillou-qui-Bique 7387 Honnelles Tel : +32 (0) 65/46.09.38

HAUTS-PAYS NATURE PARK

Maison du Parc Naturel (24 rue des Jonquilles 7387 Onnezies).

Tel : +32 (0) 65/46.09.38

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HONNELLES

Tip The Cultural Centre of Quiévrain offers numerous activities along the year.

For information, please contact +32 (0) 65/75.92.22

T

his district is made up of 11 villages: Angre, Angreau, Athis, Autreppe, Erquennes, Fayt-leFranc, Marchipont, Montignies-sur-Roc, Onnezies and Roisin, and nestles within the HautsPays Nature Park.

The district council has laid out many walks, from Le Caillou-qui-Bique, to the Angre Forest, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers. Honnelles is also an architectural showcase, with stunning buildings, including the Rampemont Fortified Farmhouse, the old castle at Roisin, St Brice’s Church and the chateau at Montigniessur-Roc, to name but a few. Culture is another local strength, especially at the Emile Verhaeren Museum in Roisin, where the famous poet came to find peace and tranquility. There are plenty of festivities throughout the year in Honnelles. For example, for one weekend a year, Erquennes goes back in time to experience harvesting the old-fashioned way. With the Musical Summer Festival in Roisin and the Artisans’ Spring Festival, Honnelles has a jampacked annual programme.

Rampemont Fortified Farmhouse This huge, rectangular, mediaeval building has a unique charm, due to the presence of its farm animals and its exceptional garden of medicinal plants, which releases timeless scents. Opening times available on request.

CHÂTEAU FERME DE RAMPEMONT Rue de Rampemont - 7387 Fayt-le-Franc (Honnelles) Tel / Fax : + 32 (0) 65/75.92.39 rampemont.schneider@swing.be

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Between 1899 and 1914, the famous Belgian poet Emile Verhaeren came to Roisin for his holidays, having found peace and tranquillity at the heart of the Hauts-Pays district. Today, the poet’s holiday home still stands next to the provincial government’s “Le Caillou” building, and its has been converted into a museum.

Spread over 60m², its displays tell the story of this unique man through copies of historic documents and paintings bearing witness to his special relationships with famous painters such as Signac, Seurat and Van Rysselberghe and literary figures such as Rodenbach, Maeterlinck, Zweig and Verlaine. From the museum, visitors can walk in the footsteps of the poet along the 4km Stones Circular Walk that passes the famous Caillou-qui-bique rock formation. On request, this walk can be turned into a guided tour led by enthusiastic members of Emile Verhaeren Memorial Association charity, based in Roisin.

Admission: Free Explanatory panels in French and Dutch Guidebook available in Braille

The route for the Stones Circular Walk (Circuit des Pierres) can be downloaded from www.tourismegps.be Exhibition designed by the Province of Hainaut Tourism Federation ASBL, with documents contributed by the Literature Museum & Archives ASBL. Open : From the 1st weekend in April to the 1st weekend in October at weekends and on public holidays, from 3pm to 5.30pm. Visits on weekdays by prior appointment. From the 2nd weekend in October to the last weekend in March by prior appointment only.

ESPACE MUSÉAL EMILE VERHAEREN Rue Emile Verhearen, 23 - 7387 Roisin (Honnelles) Tel : +32 (0) 65/52.92.90 Mobile : +32 (0) 476/59.82.66 www.emileverhaerenroisin.net

Former Roisin Castle The old chateau was built in the 16th century and extended and rebuilt in the 18th century and burned down in 1992. Today, all that survives is the gatehouse with its unusual round towers, which bears witness to its glorious past.

HONNELLES

Emile VERHAEREN Museum

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Where to sleep?

CAMPING DU CHÂTEAU DE ROISIN ** Rue du Château de Roisin, 14b - 7387 Roisin Tel : +32 (0) 65/69.14.30 - 11 pitches CHAMBRE D’HÔTES LA SAPINIÈRE Rue du Général Leman, 2 - 7387 Fayt-le-Franc Tel : +32 (0) 65/65.00.94 €45/bedroom, including breakfast GÎTE LE RAMONIER Rue de la Marlière, 11 - 7387 Honnelles Tel/Fax : +32 (0) 65/75.98.55 1 gîte sleeping 6 people 1 gîte sleeping 8 people From €125 to €200/gîte for a weekend From €250 to €400/gîte for a week (Mon-Fri) GÎTE L’AIR PUR Rue Bourdon, 50 - 7387 Roisin Tel : +32 (0) 65/75.04.93 Mobile : +32 (0) 474/66.06.18 2 gîtes, each sleeping 4 people 240€ for a week - 110€ for a weekend GÎTE LE MONTAGNARD Rue de Wiheries, 21 7387 Montignies-sur-Roc Tel : +32 (0) 65/26.86.94 Mobile : +32 (0) 494/17.83.10 info@lemontagnard.be www.lemontagnard.be 1 gîte sleeping 8 people 330€

Where to eat?

LES TOURELLES Rue du Château de Roisin, 12 7387 Roisin Tel/Fax : +32 (0) 65/75.90.95 Mobile : +32 (0) 485/18.14.02 www.tourelles-roisin.be LE BEAU VALLON Rue de la Station, 2 - 7387 Roisin Tel : +32 (0) 65/75.05.90

LE CHALET DES ETANGS Rue du Château, 16 - 7387 Fayt-le-Franc Tel : +32 (0) 65/75.02.25 L’AUBERGE DU PASSE-TOUT-OUTRE Rue Chevauchoir 1 - 7387 Autreppe Tel : +32 (0) 65/75.90.59 www.passe-tout-outre.be LE RUSTIQUE Place de Roisin, 12 - 7387 Roisin Tel : +32 (0) 65/77.92.78 LA FLAMBÉE Rue du Radeau, 41 - 7387 Fayt-le-Franc Tel : +32 (0) 65/77.85.35

Local Specialities CHOCOLATERIE DRUART Maître Chocolatier – Créateur de goûts Rue des Boughors, 13 7387 Angreau Tel : +32 (0) 65/75.95.21 www.chocolat.be MELLIFLOR ASBL Rue Ruinsette,10 7387 Erquennes Tel : +32 (0) 65/63.09.79 www.melliflor.be BRASSERIE DE L’ABBAYE DES ROCS Chaussée Brunehault, 37 7387 Montignies-sur-Roc Tel : + 32 (0) 65/75.59.99 www.abbaye-des-rocs.com LE CARREFOUR DES SAVEURS Local & regional products Route de Bavay, 23 7387 Athis Tel : +32 (0) 65/65.02.63 FERME PYPE Chaussée Brunehault, 49 7387 Montignies-sur-Roc Tel : +32 (0) 65/75.01.18

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Crafts

Calendar

ATELIER DU PLAT CAILLOU Ruelle du Plat Caillou, 8 7387 Montignies-sur-Roc Tel/Fax : +32 (0) 65/75.93.71 platcaillou@skynet.be - www.platcaillou.be

ARTISAN’S SPRING 25 and 26 April 2015 Open days at the studios and working spaces of artists, artisans and food producers in Montignies-sur-Roc.

ATELIER LA ROCQUETTE Chaussée Brunehault, 24 7387 Montignies-sur-Roc Tel : +32 (0) 65/75.91.91

ERQUENNES TRADITIONAL HARVEST 1&2 August 2014 Relive old-fashioned harvesting methods and find out more about agricultural techniques from the past.

Place du Joncquois - 7387 Erquennes

L’IBISQUILIT Rue Curé Montenez, 6 7387 Fayt-le-Franc Tel : +32 (0) 65/69.10.13 ibisquilit@hotmail.com

Information ROYAL HAUT-PAYS TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE Place Fulgence Masson, 7 7387 Montignies-sur-Roc Tel : +32 (0) 65/63.17.37 Fax : +32 (0) 65/75.98.33

THÉÂTRE AU CHÂTEAU 7 August 2015 A theatrical performance in the Château at Montignies-sur-Roc followed by a rustic buffet meal.

Château de Montignies-sur-Roc 7387 Montignies-sur-Roc

“MONEUSE” 15 August 2015 Two border towns, Honnelles and Quiévrain, will be joining forces to tell the famous story of the 18th century “bandit”.

A creative route will join the two towns, ending with a huge spectacle, short plays and an open-air banquet.

HONNELLES LOCAL AUTHORITY Rue Grande, 1 - 7387 Honnelles Tel : +32 (0) 65/75.92.22 Fax : +32 (0) 65/75.92.23 www.honnelles.be HAUTS-PAYS NATURE PARK Rue des Jonquilles, 24 7387 Honnelles Tel : +32 (0) 65/46.09.38 Fax : +32 (0) 65/75.58.48 www.pnhp.be

ROISIN SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL 22, 23, 29 and 30 August 2015 A packed programme of musical performances over 2 weekends.

Eglise Saint-Brice Rue du Château de Roisin 7387 Roisin DISCOVER HONNELLES 12 & 13 September 2015 Programme includes exhibitions by local artists and tastings of local specialities, 7387 Honnelles

The above list is non exhaustive

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HONNELLES

www.haut-pays.be

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COLFONTAINE Did you know?

Colfontaine Cultural Centre has produced a CD of songs by Fernand Carion, a musician born in the district, whose music has never been published.

C

omprising the villages of Pâturages, Warquignies and Wasmes, the district of Colfontaine is heavily wooded and its woods are the starting point for many walks and hikes, including the Rando des Leus. This 5km walk starts at the Tour du Lait Buré, and offers walkers many interesting discoveries.

Colfontaine Forest & The Tour du Lait Buré The wood extends over a ridge to the south of Pâturages. It contains many different varieties of trees and plants (including hazel, hornbeam, narcissus and ferns). It became a listed Natura site in 2000. The Tower was built on the edge of the forest in 1904 by the architect Achille Tillier. It makes a superb starting point for many walks and hikes. Tillier built it as a cabaret bar and it quickly developed into a guinguette (café-restaurant with an open-air dancefloor). Achille Tillier was also a brewer and obviously saw it as an outlet for his beers.

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© OTMons - TMarinkovic

In the past, this was a coalmining area, but woods and rural landscapes have replaced the collieries. The Marcasse mine was one of the largest before disaster struck in 1953, when 20 miners were killed there. Several famous artists have lived in Colfontaine, including Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890), who lived in Wasmes where he was a Protestant evangelist preacher; Armand Simon (1906-1981), the great surrealist artist, who spent his whole life in Pâturages and Marius Carion, the painter from Wasmes.

BOIS DE COLFONTAINE Rue Maréchal Joffre - 7340 Colfontaine TOUR DU LAIT BURÉ (snacks and light meals available) Rue Belle Maison, 1 - 7340 Colfontaine Mobile: +32 (0) 477/91.24.58 Starting from Mons station; take bus route 2 heading to MONS-CUESMES-FRAMERIES-WASMES-DOUR, PETIT-WASMES St Roch stop (39 mins.).

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The Old Cedar Brewery Site The Old Cedar Brewery in Colfontaine is a remarkable complex of buildings including a family home, its garden and the once bustling Tillier Brewery (which opened in 1892 and closed in 1950). In its heyday, the brewery made nine different beers, including its famous Cedar Extra Stout, although it had to shut down during the two World Wars.

Guided tours of the former brewery and the garden are available for groups of 16-30 people by prior appointment only. Please ask for a quote: the price depends on the size of the group. Room for meetings of seminars available for hire. Please ask for a quote.

CLOSERIE DU VIEUX CĂˆDRE Rue Grande, 26 7340 Colfontaine Tel : +32 (0) 65/51.24.85 closvcedre@yahoo.fr www.closeriecedre.be

Nature From the spoil heaps of the Marcasse nature reserve to its footpaths and narrow streets and the RAVeL long-distance footpath, Colfontaine offers a very rich and varied natural landscape, which will delight walkers and tourists alike.

Van Gogh House in Wasmes Today, only the front facade of the building has managed to withstand the ravages of time. In 2015, the ground floor will be used for temporary exhibitions as well as a research and documnetary collection about the film director, Vincente Minelli. The upper floor of the building will be rebuilt and converted into a holiday apartment for the summer, and then it will house an artist or scientist-in-residence.

MAISON VAN GOGH À WASMES Rue Wilson - 7340 Colfontaine www.mons2015.eu Starting from Mons station; take bus route 2 heading to MONS-CUESMES-FRAMERIES-WASMES-DOUR, WASMES Petit-Wasmes Eglise stop (38 mins.) Walk to the junction of RUE DE LA CITE/ RUE WILSON (14 mins.)

COLFONTAINE

The Mons 2015 Foundation has announced that it intends to restore the house, known locally as the Maison Denis, here a young Protestant evangelist called Vincent Van Gogh once lived. Soon after his arrival in 1879, he became involved in the life of local miners, which went on to become the main theme of his early sketches. It was also from this house that he wrote letters to his brother Theo, which tell us of his exceptional artistic journey.

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A LA MÉMOIRE DE… Rue du Commerce, 13 - 7340 Pâturages Mobile : +32 (0) 479/29.25.30 TAVERNE “AU COQ” Rue du Maréchal Joffre, 230 - 7340 Colfontaine Mobile : +32 (0) 486/30.94.51 lecoqcarol@hotmail.com LA CASA BORGHESE Place de Wasmes, 27 - 7340 Colfontaine Tel : +32 (0) 65/60.10.10

Local Specialities PASCALE LAMBRECHTS Mosagourdes Rue du Rieu du Coeur, 10 - 7340 Pâturages Tel : +32(0) 65/63.07.93 mosagourdes@gmail.com www.mosagourdes.com JEAN-POL URBAIN (céramique) et FRANCINE MICHEL (colombin) Rue du Rossignol, 62 - 7340 Colfontaine Tel : +32 (0) 65/66.74.78 jp.urbain@skynet.be francinemichel@skynet.be

© KRÖLLER-MÜLLER MUSEUM

Where to eat?

WHITSUN CELEBRATIONS 24 & 25 May 2015 On Whit Monday and Tuesday, the people of Wasme re-enact the Procession de la Pucelette Wasmes (Procession of the Little Girl) who, according to legend, was snatched from the claws of a vicious dragon by the valiant Gilles de Chin, Lord of Berlaimont.

Tel : +32 (0) 65/46.04.87 LOUP Y ES TU (“WHERE ARE YOU WOLF?”) September 2015 Programme includes a walking show for children, story-telling and other activities on the theme of the wolf.

Tel : +32 (0) 65/88.74.88 colfontaine@hotmail.com WITCHES’ SABBATH mid-October 2015 Programme includes: town trail, stalls, procession, show and burning of the witches.

Place de Warquignies - 7340 Colfontaine

© OTMons - TMarinkovic

Calendar “VAN GOGH: THE MAD LEGEND” 24 to 26 April 2015 A poetic route uses humour and fantasy to reinvent anecdotes from the life of the painter who came to Colfontaine as a protestant preacher, lived there in close contact with miners, and then became an artist. Interactive theatre, drinks receptions, an exhibition, installations, artists from the Borinage… all of this will be taking place in the Marcasse colliery.

Charbonnage de Marcasse 7340 Colfontaine By bus (Ligne 2) - Stop: Wasmes, petit ou Wasmes, église

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Site de Marcasse

Information COLFONTAINE LOCAL AUTHORITY Place de Wasmes, 22 - 7340 Colfontaine Tel : +32 (0) 65/88.73.40 Fax : +32 (0) 65/88.73.49 www.colfontaine.be

The above list is non exhaustive

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i

© KRÖLLER-MÜLLER MUSEUM

in the

The birth

of an artist

25.01 - 17.05 BAM

BAM Beaux-Arts Mons 8 rue Neuve B-7000 Mons

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FRAMERIES

T

he district of Frameries encompasses the villages of Eugies, La Bouverie, Noirchain and Sars-la-Bruyère, whose history goes back into the mists of time and whose inhabitants have always been able to combine their past with their present.

In the 7th century, the land belonged to Walbert, the father of St Waltrude, the patron saint of Mons. Historical texts mention the existence of collieries here in the 13th century, and coalmining brought great wealth to the area through the ages. The only mediaeval remains today are the ruins of Temple Farm and the pillory.

Frameries has transformed its ugly mining spoil heaps into nature reserves which have become home to an incredibly diverse flora and fauna, and which offer many wonderful walks or cycle rides for all the family.

Its industrial past has left significant marks on the district, with many remains of these periods of industrial growth, both buried underground and lurking on the surface. They also bear witness to the suffering of many local people, which is also illustrated at Le PASS, a science adventure park in a former colliery and the Fabrique de Théâtre, in a former shoe-making school. Throughout the year there are a huge number of festivities and events, including the Frameries Patronal Festival (celebrating St Waltrude, the town’s patron saint), the Flower Market on 1 May, and the Eugies Jumble Sale, with more than 550 stalls. Frameries was also an important site in the First World War. The battle of 24 August took place in 3 different parts of the district. Sport is also celebrated in the town, which hosts many large-scale events, including its famous cycle races and athletics meetings, including the Happy New Year Trophy road race which attracts around 1,000 runners each year between Christmas and the New Year.

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The Fabrique de Théâtre is a major cultural centre housed in a former school for shoemakers, which bears witness to the district’s formerly flourishing industrial activity. Now part of the life of the district once again, the Fabrique is all about creativity, production, demonstration and cultural information.

Frameries youth hostel! (due to open summer 2015) The result of a partnership between the municipality of Frameries and the not-for-profit organisation, “Les Auberges de Jeunesse”, in 2015, Frameries will be opening a brand new Youth Hostel! The Pavillon de la Garde will become a branch of the Mons Youth

Starting from Mons station; take bus route 1 heading to MONS-CUESMES-FRAMERIESWASMES-STGHISLAIN, FRAMERIES Route Provinciale stop (19 mins.). Walk to the junction of RUE DE LA LIBERATION/RUE DE L’INDUSTRIE 128 (3 mins.).

FABRIQUE DE THÉÂTRE Rue de l’Industrie, 128 - 7080 La Bouverie Tel : +32 (0) 65/61.34.60 spas.lafabrique@hainaut.be

Hostel in the summer of 2015 and will be available to welcome around thirty tourists, walkers, ramblers and sports fans! In a peaceful setting, not far from lots of walking routes as well as the town centre, not to mention the PASS and a number of different sports facilities (including tennis courts, football pitches and a sports hall), come and spend a few days in our beautiful region! There are plenty of activities to choose from here!

AUBERGE DE JEUNESSE Rue des Dames, 79 7080 Frameries

FRAMERIES

Fabrique de Théâtre

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© Serge Brison

© Serge Brison © Serge Brison

Pass Scientific Adventure Park The Pass, a whole world of experiences!

Knowledge is a wonderful thing. Understanding is exciting. Put these two things together and what do you get? The Pass.

Fun, interactive exhibitions, activities for young and old alike, a Palace of images and a garden covering 28 hectares to explore with the family. Sport, innovation, health and materi-

als are just some of the themes that you’ll be lucky enough to learn about.

Enjoy a day to stretch both your physical and intellectual muscles! Are you ready to take up the challenges that the Pass will lay down for you?

The Pass is reinventing itself! 2014 witnessed the beginning of two exhibitions, “My body, my health”, “Genetics, life decoded?”, plus the Pass’âge of the Adventurous.

The “My body, my health” exhibition is an invitation to explore your body as you have never seen it before: a journey through your organs,

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The Pass’âge of the Adventurous, the new space dedicated to kids aged between 6 and 12, will take your children on a breath-taking adventure. An acrobatic experience where visitors use toboggans and rope bridges to travel between the three exhibitions and discover new inventions, try out different materials and put you into the skin of an elite sportsman. Prepare to be amazed!

In 2015, the adventure continues! It’s the little ones’ turn to be spoiled with the Pass’âge of

From 24 June to 31 August the Pass and Mons 2015 will be putting on its Energy exhibition. Filled with energetic, hair-raising experiments, the Energy exhibition is a journey into the future. Become the hero of a retro-futurist video game, learn about the challenges linked to the theme of energy and reinvent your relationship with it...

FRAMERIES

@ JFany D’Hauwe

Times and prices on page 118

the Discoverer, specifically aimed at children aged between 3 and 7. Next spring, they will be able to feel what it’s like to be one of our native animals, move through an unusual forest, discover the 1001 different aspects of light, build your own city and of course, a giant house.

© Serge Brison

interspersed with surprising experiments. For older visitors, you can get into the heart of your cells to get to grips with the mysteries of genetics.

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Open : During Belgian school terms on weekdays (closed Wednesday) from 9am to 4pm, and on the last weekend of each month from 1pm to 6pm.

During Belgian school holidays, open every day from 10am to 6pm. Closed from 1 September to 1 October and from 1 December 2014 to 11 January 2015.

Starting from Mons station; take bus route 1 heading to MONS-CUESMES-FRAMERIESWASMES-STGHISLAIN, FRAMERIES Rue SaintePhilomène stop (14 mins.) Walk to RUE DE MONS 3 (4 mins.).

@ JSerge Brison

Admission : Adults : €12.50, Children (6-14) : €9.50, Seniors (60+) & Students (15-25) & Disabled adults : €11, Disabled children (6-14) €7, Children (under 5) : free.

For more information about Le PASS, please visit www.pass.be

Rue de Mons, 3 - 7080 Frameries Tel : +32 (0) 70/22.22.52 Fax : +32 (0) 65/61.21.99 pass@pass.be - www.pass.be

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Where to eat?

Calendar

L’ATELIER GOURMAND Rue des Alliés, 105 7080 Frameries Tel : +32 (0) 65/84.35.88 Mobile : +32 (0) 476/97.69.86 Fixed menu and room for 30 people

FLOWER MARKET 1 May 2015 Centre-ville - 7080 Frameries

CAFÉ CHEZ LOUISE (Awarded “Bistrot de Terroir” label) Rue des Alliés, 48 - 7080 Frameries Tel : +32 (0) 65/67.67.17 Open 7 days a week

Local specialities CHEZ ISA Rue de Dour, 8 7080 Sars-la-Bruyère Tel : +32 (0) 65/67.66.53 Mobile : +32 (0) 473/60.33.67 chez.isa@hotmail.com

Information SYNDICAT D’INITIATIVE ET DE PROMOTION TOURISTIQUE DE FRAMERIES Grand-Place, 1 - 7080 Frameries www.sipt-frameries.be FRAMERIES DISTRICT COUNCIL Rue Archimède, 1 - 7080 Frameries Tel : +32 (0) 65/61.12.11 Fax : +32 (0) 65/67.71.22

14 May 2015 On Ascension Day, a condemned witch, appearing suddenly from the past, will cast a spell on the locals and give the starting signal for a joyful parade; mysterious characters, Bobottes and Kobolds, will guide the members of the public. Fairies, a magical universe, street art and festive music will fill the avenues and backstreets, finishing with a banquet and a dance. Dust off your glad rags or reinvent some new ones with us – you’ll be needing them.

From PASS to Grande-Place de Frameries - 7080 Frameries In bus (Lines 1 and 2) - Stop : Pass

PATRONAL FESTIVAL 14 May 2015 A huge procession during which hoards of enthusiasts dress up in period costume to tell the fascinating story of St Waltrude, the town’s patron saint.

Grand-Place, 1 - 7080 Frameries EUGIES JUMBLE SALE 15 August 2015 A huge jumble sale with over 700 stalls exposants. PAC Eugies – Monsieur Arnaud Malou Mobile : +32(0) 479/46.84.53 www.pac-eugies.be

FRAMERIES

L’ASSIETTE AU BEURRE Rue de l’Industrie, 278 7080 Frameries Tel : +32 (0) 65/67.76.73 Fax : +32 (0) 65/66.43.87 www.assietteaubeurre.be Closed on non-bank holiday Mondays, Wednesday evening and Sunday evening.

“WITCHES, BOBOTTES AND CO.”

The above list is non exhaustive

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© OTMons - TMarinkovic

QUIÉVRAIN

C

omprising the villages of Baisieux, Audregnies and Quiévrain, this is a lovely district with two distinct aspects.

On the one hand, there is the busy centre of Quiévrain, with plenty of restaurants to choose from, serving food prepared with fresh local ingredients, its annual carnival, traditional flower market, and lots of other events throughout the year.

On the other hand there is delightful green countryside, nestling in the Hauts-Pays Nature Park, where visitors can breathe in some fresh air on a walk along one of the many paths and country roads near Baisieux, or relax in Belgium’s largest green square in Audregnies. Or you might prefer to make your way to Quiévrain railway station along the RAVeL long-distance footpath.

The increased awareness among residents and local authorities of the importance of protecting local and rural heritage has led to the restoration and conversion of chapels, barns and historic monuments, including St Theresa’s Chapel, which is currently being renovated. In addition, Audregnies was also the site of a battle between the British and the Germans in August 1914 during the British retreat towards Le Cateau.

This place of worship is popular with villagers as well as tourists, and offers an oasis of calm for meditation. Adorned with the words “Je veux passer mon ciel … à faire du bien sur la terre” (“I want to spend my time in heaven… doing good on earth”), engraved by believers, the chapel also houses a locket which belonged to St Theresa of Lisieux, as well as a recumbent statue, adding to its mystical beauty.

© OTMons - TMarinkovic

St Theresa’s Chapel

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Where to sleep?

Calendar

LES COQUELICOTS Rue de l’Eglise, 1 - 7382 Audregnies Tel : +32 (0) 65/46.50.02 www.audregnies-gite.be 1 self-catering unit for 6 people (2 extra beds possible). 200 to 400 €.

FLOWER MARKET 26 April 2015 This is a traditional event that is dear to the hearts of the inhabitants of Quiévrain. It has taken place on the 4th Sunday in April each year for more than 70 years. It is one of the largest flower markets in Belgium and attracts many visitors from all over the region and from nearby France. It is the biggest event held in the district each year and is well worth a visit, not just for gardening enthusiasts but also for curious tourists.

Centre-ville - 7380 Quiévrain

Where to eat?

LE GAMBRINUS Rue de l’Eglise, 25 - 7382 Audregnies Tel : +32 (0) 65/43.00.49 L’ESTAMINET (Awarded “Bistrot de Terroir” label) Rue Debast, 7 - 7380 Quiévrain Tel : +32 (0) 65/75.02.65 www.lestaminet.be

Local Specialities LILI ROSE (florist) Rue A. Descamps, 7 7382 Audregnies Tel : +32 (0) 65/43.10.50 SYLVIE ET GRÉGORY Artisan charcuterie (cooked meats) Chaussée Brunehault, 12c 7382 Audregnies Tel : +32 (0) 65/45.81.00 BOULANGERIE ARTISANALE DUFRASNES Place d’Audregnies, 63 - 7382 Audregnies Tel : +32 (0) 65/43.07.69

ST JOHN’S DAY FIREWORKS June 2015 A popular event in the square, and a torch-lit walk through several villages.

Centre-ville - 7380 Quiévrain

“MONEUSE” 15 August 2015 Two border towns, Honnelles and Quiévrain, will be joining forces to tell the famous story of the 18th century “bandit”.

A creative route will join the two towns, ending with a huge spectacle, short plays and an open-air banquet.

Montignies-sur-Roc (Honnelles) Audregnies (Quiévrain)

QUIÉVRAIN

Information QUIÉVRAIN LOCAL AUTHORITY Rue des Wagnons, 4 - 7380 Quiévrain Tel: +32 (0) 65/45.04.50 Fax : +32 (0) 65/45.04.66 - www.quievrain.be

The above list is non exhaustive

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© OTMons - TMarinkovic

© OTMons - TMarinkovic

QUÉVY

The perfect blend of prestigious heritage and beautiful greenery, adventurous walkers will love exploring this authentic, timeless natural setting.

Q

uévy is a rural district area made up of the villages of Asquillies, Aulnois, Blaregnies, Bougnies, Genly, Givry, Goegnies-Chaussée, Havay, Quévy-le-Grand and Quévy-le-Petit.

Agriculture still plays a major role throughout this area, and many very old farms are still working today. There are many delightful walks in the Tilleul and Blaregnies woods: some have been waymarked with support from the Hauts-Pays Nature Park. These include the Louis Piérard Trail and the Battle of Malplaquet Trails. Then there is the GR long-distance footpath, which gives walkers a different view of the district.

In many of the villages, visitors can still see the traces of previous inhabitants, such as the Frankish tombs discovered in Asquillies, the Roman and Frankish coins found in Aulnois and the stone-age flint axe, Roman road and coins issued by Emperor Domitian unearthed in Havay.

The district also has a significant religious and architectural heritage to explore, including St Martin’s Church, the Louis Piérard open-air theatre, the old Knights Templar Mill, Blaregnies Church, and the Château de Goegnies-Chaussée.

Throughout the year, the district council puts on festivals and events, including the re-enactment of the Battle of Malplaquet, the Harvest Festival, the Fête à Béria and the Quévysienne.

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Good to know

© OTMons - TMarinkovic

The Domaine du Chant d’Eole stretches across just over 9 hectares. The vineyard is mainly planted with Chardonnay grapes, and produces a sparkling wine according to traditional methods (second fermentation in the bottle).

The theatre was founded in 1939 on the initiative of Louis Piérard (1886-1951), a keen ambassador for the arts and artists (in a working environment). At the time, the theatre was part of a relaxation and leisure centre for the people of the Borinage.

In 2004, in the footsteps of an initiative launched by locals, an association was set up, called “Sauvegarde et Réaffectation du Site Louis Piérard” (literally, Saving and Redefining the Louis Piérard Site), with the goal of bringing this venue, loaded with history, back to life for one Heritage Day weekend.

© OTMons - TMarinkovic

Artist Dolf Ledel created the sculpture, “Vivre” (literally, Living), which still adorns the stage of the theatre, symbolising the first holidays granted to workers in the region.

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A Belgian sculptor, medallist and portrait painter, Dolf Ledel studied at the Académie des beaux-arts in Brussels. He had his first exhibition when he was 17, during the 1910 triennial salon which was part of the World Fair in Brussels.

THÉÂTRE DE VERDURE LOUIS PIÉRARD Rue Louis Piérard – 7040 Bougnies Tel : +32 (0) 65/56.80.42 paulette.vandenhoven@skynet.be

Take bus route 23 heading to MONS-HYON-MESVIN-QUEVY-MONS. A 13:20, BOUGNIES Place stop (30 mins.). Walk to the junction of RUE D’ASQUILLIES/RUE LOUIS PIERARD (6 mins.).

Route 23 only goes to Bougnies during term time.

QUÉVY

Théâtre de verdure Louis Piérard

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GÎTE “LES JARDINS DE L’ERMITAGE” Voie Blanche, 18 - 7040 Aulnois Tel : +32 (0) 65/59.03.42 Mobile : +32 (0) 494/54.08.87 renee-bourlet@skynet.be www.lesjardinsdelermitage.com 4 gîtes, each sleeping from 2 to 9 people From €250 to €520

Where to eat?

LES GOURMANDS Rue des Sars, 15 - 7040 Blaregnies Tel : +32 (0) 65/56.86.32 www.lesgourmands.be Closed on Monday, Tuesday and Sunday evening.

Calendar CARNAVAL DE GIVRY From 8 to 10 March 2015 Centre-ville - 7041 Givry

LA FÊTE À RIBOUX 4 and 5 July 2015 Programme includes a cross-border walk, a musical cocktail party, a grand “Assiette à Riboux”, sketches by “Les Berdouilleux” from La Longueville, etc.

Centre-ville - 7040 Aulnois COURSE HUMORISTIQUE 15 and 16 August 2015 Various events in Blaregnies during the weekend of 15 August, including the humoristic race on 15 August.

City centre - 7040 Blaregnies OLD-FASHIONED HARVEST FESTIVAL End of August 2015 Enjoy a weekend (re)discovering traditional harvesting techniques.

7040 Blaregnies FÊTE À BÉRIA From 5 to 9 September 2015 During the Ducasse, discover the legend of béria, Thiméléon and Philibert.

Centre-ville - 7040 Quévy-le-Petit

© OTMons - TMarinkovic

CARNAVAL DE BOUGNIES From 4 to 6 april 2015 Centre-ville - 7040 Bougnies

“FOLKLORE FESTIVAL” 6 June 2015 A day of festivities promoting Quévy’s folklore and catering professions, put together in collaboration with the locals: a gourmet route to follow, local produce to try as part of a banquet, plus an exhibition looking at the history of folklore.

Place d’Asquillies - 7040 Quévy By bus (Lines 23 and 41) Stop : Route de Nouvelles

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© B. Vanroye

Where to sleep?

Information QUÉVY LOCAL AUTHORITY

Rue de Pâturages, 50 – 7041 Givry Tel : +32 (0) 65/58.64.40 Fax : +32 (0) 65/58.61.60 - www.quevy.be Take bus route 134/ heading to MONSGIVRY-ERQUELINNES-BEAUMONT, GIVRY Bascule stop (23 mins.). Walk to the junction of RUE SOUS -LE -CIMETIERE/RUE CHAUDE (10 mins.).

The above list is non exhaustive

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création: phenixgraphic.be

© B. Vanroye

DISCOVER THE “PARC DES CANAUX ET CHÂTEAUX”

oye © B. Vanr

The Tourist Office offers a range of products for visiting tourists: visitor maps, day passes for groups, guides, bike hire, etc.

©MRM © M. Nasser

All our new on https://www.facebook.com/ MaisonDuTourismeDuParcDesCanauxEtChateaux or on www.parcdescanauxetchateaux.be Information : Maison du Tourisme du Parc des Canaux et Châteaux • 21/22 Place Mansart 7100 La Louvière • +32(0)64 /26.15.00 • maisondutourisme@lalouviere.be

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@ Kmeron

DOUR

D

our is a municipality that was founded in 1977 after the merger of the municipalities of Dour, Elouges, WihĂŠries, Blaugies and Petit-Dour. Its history dates back to the Iron Age, as demonstrated by the many remains discovered, including a luxury Gallo-Roman villa.

The history of Dour is closely linked to that of coal mining, as in the 19th century, the Borinage was the largest coalfield in Europe and supplied the world’s biggest powers.

Today, the marks left by this industrial past are still visible, with the presence of a large number of slagheaps offering unique experiences and walks in the great outdoors, including in particular the pit-head frame in Sauwartan, the Saint-Antoine slagheap and lots of GR routes.

Last but not least, Dour is also a lush green area near France and at the heart of the Hauts Pays Natural Park. A region of local pride and craftsmanship, a welcoming municipality whose residents know how to party, with a range of events put on by the local community.

Good to know Georges Mulpas (1911 - 1978) was a politician, a passionate musician and a renowned saxophonist. A cultural leader, he was committed to the arts and became the Mayor of Elouges where there is still a museum named after him.

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Where to eat?

LE FOURQUET Rue de la Frontière, 438 7370 Blaugies Tel : +32 (0) 65/69.00.79 L’AUBERGE DES AULNES Rue Planche à l’Aulne, 20 7370 Blaugies Tel : +32 (0) 65/65.91.15 LA FERME DES TEMPLIERS Rue Ropaix, 169 7370 Dour Tel : +32 (0) 65/80.08.62 la-ferme-des-templiers.com Closed on Monday and Tuesday

DOUR ON ICE 5-6 December 2015 Dour’s up for a party in summer, but also in winter! A stunning, arctic event that showcases the local cultural and sporting heritage, with activities based at the site of the Belvédère. This will be the perfect place and opportunity to discover the joys of winter and enjoy the end of the Grand Ouest.

Site of the Belvédère Chemin des Croix - 7370 Dour By bus (Lines 7 and 9) Stop: Centre medical

Belvédère site

LA TABLE D’AUGUSTE Rue Général Leman, 23 7370 Dour Tel : +32 (0) 65/66.68.12 www.latabledauguste.be Closed Tuesdays

Calendar

STREET ARTS FESTIVAL “LES TORNADES” From 22 to 25 May 2015 Village of Wihéries Centre culturel de Dour Tel : +32 (0) 65/761 847 www.lestornades.be

Infos DOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY Grand-Place, 1 - 7370 Dour Tel : +32 (0) 65/76.18.10 www.communedour.be

DOUR

DOUR FESTIVAL From 15 to 19 July 2015 Site of the Machine à Feu 7370 Dour info@dourfestival.be www.dourfestival.be

The above list is non exhaustive

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION TRAINS Mons railway station Place Léopold, 2 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 2/528.28.28 - www.sncb.be BUSES TEC Hainaut Place de Léopold, 9A - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/38.88.85 Fax : +32 (0) 65/38.88.10 - www.infotec.be TAXIS Taxis Willy Tel: +32 (0) 65/82.21.55 Mobile: +32 (0) 497/49.60.00 +32 (0) 475/41.44.55 Bureau: +32 (0) 65/82.48.21 Taxis Top Tel : +32 (0) 65/84.24.06 Mobile : +32 (0) 495/20.92.09 CAR HIRE Avis Rent-A-Car Tel : +32 (0) 65/31.79.71 - www.avis.be Europcar Tel : +32 (0) 65/72.30.35 - www.europcar.be N.R.J. Location Tel : +32 (0) 65/84.08.95 Mobile : +32 (0) 475/84.34.89 HOSPITALS

Centre Hospitalier EpiCURA Hornu-Frameries Rue de Mons, 63 - 7301 Hornu (Boussu) Tel : +32 (0) 65/38.55.11 Fax : +32 (0) 65/71.33.33 - www.chhf.be Warquignies Hospital Rue des Chauffours, 27 - 7300 Boussu Tel : +32 (0) 65/78.65.31 Fax : +32 (0) 65/78.57.48 - www.chrmons.be CHR Hôpital de Warquignies Réseau Hospitalier de Médecine Sociale.

Rue Louis Caty, 136 7331 Baudour (Saint-Ghislain) Tel : +32 (0) 65/76.81.11 Fax : +32 (0) 65/64.39.95 EMERGENCY AMBULANCE NUMBER : 100 EMERGENCY FIRE BRIGADE NUMBER : 100 BUREAU DE POLICE Police de proximité Place Louise, 1 - 7000 Mons Police locale Rue du Rossignol, 1 - 7000 Mons Tél : +32 (0) 65/38.32.90 Bureaux accessibles 24h/24 EMERGENCY POLICE NUMBER : 101 EUROPEAN NUMBER (Road Accident/Physical Assault) : 112

University Hospital Universitaire Ambroise Paré Boulevard Kennedy, 2 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/41.40.00 Fax : +32 (0) 65/39.20.11 - www.hap.be St Joseph’s Hospital Avenue Baudouin de Constantinople, 5 7000 Mons - Tel : +32 (0) 65/38.55.11 Fax : +32 (0) 65/38.55.99 - www.chrmons.be

Grand-Place, 27 - 7000 Mons - Belgique Tel : +32 (0) 65/33.55.80 Fax : +32 (0) 65/35.63.36 info.tourisme@ville.mons.be www.visitMons.be

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www.visitmons.be TOURIST GUIDE MONS REGION 2015 – 2016 Grand-Place 27 - 7000 Mons Tél : +32 (0) 65/33.55.80 Fax : +32 (0) 65/35.63.36 Website : www.visitmons.be E-mail : info.tourisme@ville.mons.be Published by the Mons Region Tourist Office Production : Quentin Dardenne – Tamara Marinkovic – Tiziana Pitzalis – Sophie Demeester Responsible Publisher : Natacha Vandenberghe Printed by : IPM Printing Graphics : Olivier Surin - www.phenixgraphic.be The timetables, prices and information in this guide are provided for information only, on the basis of the data given by the respective facilities in September 2014. In no way does this guide constitute a contract, and the publisher cannot be held responsible for changes made after publication. The Tourist Office is not responsible for any mistakes, unintentional omissions or later modifications, which may occur in spite of all the care taken by the Tourist Office. The Tourist Office wishes to thank its partners as well as the people who participated in the production of this guide. Copyright Photos: Mons Region Tourist Office (except where otherwise noted).

With the support of the General Commission for Tourism of the Walloon Region and the Federation of Tourism of the Province of Hainaut

Hainaut Tourisme Rue des Clercs 31 - 7000 MONS Tel : +32 (0) 65/36.04.64 - Fax : +32 (0) 65/33.57.32 www.hainauttourisme.be - federation.tourisme@hainaut.be

© Copyright: visitMons-Grégory Mathelot

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Fancy a city trip to Mons, European Capital of Culture? Tempted by its rich history and outstanding museums? The city of Mons offers an original combination of the romantic and the modern with its truly exceptional heritage, but also some very innovative projects. The Mons Tourist Office has a wide range of options available and can give you 2015 ways of visiting Mons and the surrounding area! Just contact us to turn your dreams into a unique, made-to-measure trip. www.visitMons.be facebook.com/visitmons @visitmons Youtube.com/visitmons #visitmons Pinterest.com/visitmons

visitMons Grand-Place, 27 - 7000 Mons Tel : +32 (0) 65/33.55.80 info.tourisme@ville.mons.be Download the visitMons application from Apple Store and Android Market.

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TOURIST GUIDE MONS REGION 2 0 15 - 2 0 1 6 © visitMons Gregory Mathelot

MONS REGIONAL TOURIST OFFICE

IN 2015, I’M VISITING MONS AND ITS REGION And you?

Boussu, Colfontaine, Frameries, Hensies, Honnelles, Jurbise, Lens, Mons, Quaregnon, Quévy, Quiévrain, Saint-Ghislain

Grand-Place, 27 - 7000 Mons - Belgique Tel : +32 (0) 65/33.55.80 Fax : +32 (0) 65/35.63.36 info.tourisme@ville.mons.be www.visitMons.be facebook.com/visitmons

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