Top Things to do in Hainaut Province
Top Restaurants in Hainaut Province
The 10 Best Things to do Good for Big Groups in Hainaut Province, Wallonia
Discover the best top things to do in Hainaut Province, Belgium including Francois Duesberg Museum, St Symphorien Military Cemetery, The Belfry of Tournai, Collegiale Sainte-Waudru, Pairi Daiza, The Strepy-Thieu Funicular Lift, Plan Incline de Ronquieres, Musee de la Photographie, Le Bois du Cazier, Mahymobiles.
Restaurants in Hainaut Province
1. Francois Duesberg Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 424 reviews
>>> OPEN ONLY BY APPOINTMENT <<< This outstanding museum of Decorative Arts (from 1775 to 1825) exhibits not only a prestigious collection of clocks (more than 300 ! ) including the largest ensemble of pendules "Au bon sauvage" (exotic subjects in patinated and ormoulu bronzes) in the world, but also exceptional French gilt bronzes,porcelains (from Paris and Brussels including marvels painted by viruoso Frederic-Theodor(e) FABER),silver,jewellery and other very rare objects. You will discover the way of living in Paris from the time of Louis XVI to Napoleon Ier and Charles X. An astonishing and dazzling beautiful visit !!! Michelin 2 stars for the whole Museum and above it: 2 specific stars for the "extraordinary collection of clocks" and, since 2015, 2 more stars for the "marvelous collections of porcelains" !!! 3 times worth seeing : a MUST !
Reviewed By macedonboy - Glasgow, United Kingdom
The Francois Duesberg, is a fantastic museum dedicated to 18th and 19th century decorative arts, with a fine collection of clocks, sculptures and porcelain, ceramics, pottery and jewellery. Some of the most outstanding pieces include rare ornamental clocks from Napoleonic times, fantastic collection of cameos, Neoclassical inspired sculptures, and lots more beautiful things to see. Inside, it’s almost like a palace that even without all the exhibits would be fit for a king to stay in. Myself and several other had to wait 45 minutes over the advertised opening time before being let in, which was a little annoying. The place was opened by an elderly gentleman, I think the owner of the museum. The dude is quite eccentric, tells us no photos, but taking photos seem to be fine if they include him. Normally, I’d deduct a star for this kind of thing, but the museum is awesome.
2. St Symphorien Military Cemetery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 308 reviews
St. Symphorien Military Cemetery is located 2 Kms east of Mons on the N90 a road leading to Charleroi. On reaching St. Symphorien the right hand turning from the N90 leads onto the Rue Nestor Dehon. The cemetery lies 200 metres along the Rue Nestor Dehon. GPS Co-ordinates: Longitude 04°00'38", Latitude 50°25'57" The cemetery at St. Symphorien was established by the German Army during the First World War as a final resting place for British and German soldiers killed at the Battle of Mons. Among those buried here is Private John Parr of the Middlesex Regiment, who was fatally wounded during an encounter with a German patrol two days before the battle, thus becoming the first British soldier to be killed in action on the Western Front.
Reviewed By arnaud_dhaen - Antwerp, Belgium
War cemeteries can be overwhelming in size. Numerous graves next to each other to left to the right and in front of you. Not in this garden. Enemies of the Great War rest in a peaceful setting as if they are communicating with each other. The setting and scenery is so peaceful and different. A must visit...
3. The Belfry of Tournai
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 250 reviews
Reviewed By Mb7400 - London, United Kingdom
A very long day, after travelling into the Wallonia region, via Eurotunnel and then, Dunkirk by car - it was a curiosity to me that it was merely two days, off a year, since an evening in Dunkirk, which was not very ‘pleasant or positive.’ Remarkable how quickly a year passes. Have driven through Wallonia several times, yet was not incredibly familiar with this region. (Liege - NOT good!) Conversely, Tournai was really very nice - a good place to stop off, to have a stretch of the legs, and have a breather. The architecture here is certainly highly impressive, and apparently, some buildings here are the oldest in Belgium. The deservedly revered Gabrielle Petit, was also from Tournai, as a colleague pointed out, interestingly. Were unable to go up the Belfry, understandably, which was a pity, as the view would certainly have been impressive. The Belfry itself is an impressive structure and well worth seeing, and overall Tournai seemed very nice - and reminded me, a little of Poperinge ‘mixed with’ Breda in the Netherlands.
4. Collegiale Sainte-Waudru
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 508 reviews
Reviewed By macedonboy - Glasgow, United Kingdom
The Saint Waltrude Collegiate Church is the magnificent building of Mons. Even from the outside, one can see the church is of Gothic design, although the southern section is covered in scaffolding due to restoration work. The Gothic design is much more obvious from the inside with straight lines of incredible height. Part of that is down to the hardness of the stone used and even now looks so solid. As you can guess from the name, the church is named in honour of Saint Waltrude, whose shrine and reliquary can also be found inside. Her head can be found in the chapel dedicated to her and the reliquary containing her body is held above the high altar for all to see. The church also has some chapels with important sculptures and paintings such as those by Jacques du Broeucq and Peter Paul Rubens. The chapel of Saint Peter is unexpected as it has a wooden sculpture of death to symbolically represent the passage of time, as well as an alabaster sculpture of Jesus symbolically handing over the keys of heaven to Peter. There's also a free downloadable audio guide, which is good enough to help you understand the history of the church as well as giving good commenter on all the chapels.
5. Pairi Daiza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,921 reviews
Pairi Daiza is home to 7,000 animals, including numerous endangered species that are housed in the Jardin des Mondes as part of protection and breeding programmes for endangered species. Pairi Daiza is 70 hectares of sumptuous, authentic and varied gardens. A true journey across five continents.
Reviewed By R751VMclairec
Well worth buying the season pass than the day pass, lots to do, lots to see, can’t complete in a day, really reasonably priced season tickets, love the new restaurant, Paddington Bear, kids prices are amazing for what you get. Animals, scenery, play areas, it has everything, even when it’s raining they have an indoor play area so kids can wear themselves out.
6. The Strepy-Thieu Funicular Lift
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 229 reviews
Test the biggest boat lift in the world! Open to the navigation in 2002, the Strepy-Thieu boat lift is an EXTRAordinary heritage! Its exceptional dimensions and its unique technical performance raise it as the biggest boat lift that ever exists. Rather see: 117 meter high, 130 meter long and 75 meter wide. Alone, it can overcome a difference in level of 73.15 meter. It takes your breath away! Come to discover the know-how of the Belgian civil Engineering of the 20th and 21st centuries! Cross the lift! Take a ride with the Strepy-Thieu funicular lift by boat! An unforgettable moment... Also to do: The audiovisual experience "Spirits of Belgium" Take in the major moments of Belgian inventiveness. In addition watch a film showing the construction and the working of this outstanding work of art! Do not miss the wonderful view on the region and the machine room from the cafeteria on the 8th floor.
Reviewed By RobertLondon - Tauranga, New Zealand
Took a boat trip with a group of friends here. Its an engineering masterpiece how they lift the boat and the canal the boat sits it so high to continue its journey. Apparently you can visit the engine room, and this would be worth a visit before boarding the boat. Highly recommended.
7. Plan Incline de Ronquieres
8. Musee de la Photographie
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 215 reviews
Reviewed By Trainbleu - Brussels, Belgium
We visited the photography museum of Charleroi for the special exhibition on ‘Photography as a weapon of class struggle’ and soon realised we would have to come back to explore the permanent collection in full. The place is huge! We loved the setting: a neo-gothic red-brick former Carmelite Convent with white inside walls and an atmospheric cloister. Several reviewers complain the museum is way out of town and difficult to reach. Everything is relative, of course, but it’s only about 4 km from the centre. As seasoned city trippers we had no difficulties finding it. Upon leaving the main railway station (Charleroi-Sud) we found the bus station on the left and bought a one-day pass (cheaper than a return ticket, we were told). In under 15 minutes busses 70, 71 and 170 (platform 13) leave you in front of the museum. Get off at ‘Place de Mont-sur-Marchienne’. Because not all buses take the same route on the way back to the centre we didn’t wait at the bus stop in front of the museum but walked to the next stop a few hundred meters in the direction of the centre where more busses pass. The only problem are possible transportation strikes. We made a pit stop at the lovely museum café looking out over a garden at the back. It offers a number of reasonably priced light lunch options and sweet treats. We had a tasty soup with a freshly made omelette and couldn’t resist the fruit pie with cream. With our Belgian Museum Pass we paid an extra 3.5 euros to visit the special exhibitions and the permanent collection. Otherwise the entrance fee is 7 euros, but there are several reduced rates. Very affordable for a museum where you may happily spend a few hours.
9. Le Bois du Cazier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 431 reviews
Première attraction du Pays de Charleroi avec 65.000 visiteurs annuels, cet incontournable est à marquer d'une croix sur la carte touristique de Wallonie ! Ancien site minier, le Bois du Cazier est devenu aujourd'hui un lieu de vie culturelle avec ses 3 musées et ses terrils aménagés en sentiers de promenade.
10. Mahymobiles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
SEE A CENTURY OF AUTOMOBILE HISTORY !When Ghislain Mahy bought his first car in 1944, he had no idea that this 1921 Ford T would be the first car in a collection of more than 1000 vehicles by the year 2000. The first vehicles of the collection were stored for more than half a century in Ghent, at the old “Winter Circus” building. 230 of our mechanical gems were transported to the Brussels “Autoworld” museum in 1986, where they are still on display. The other, approximately 750, vehicles had to wait until 1997 for a new home to be found. This turned out to be the old “Ernaelsteen” factory in Leuze-en-Hainaut, where we are today. The new site is called “Mahymobiles”. This private collection, unique because of the diversity of vehicles included, shows automotive history from it’s humble beginnings at the end of the 19th century to the present day.Amble through the world history of automobiles from 1895 to the present day (300 veteran and vintage vehicles) and gain mechanical knowledge in the educational area. In other areas of Mahymobiles you will discover exceptional collections of miniature cars, historic bicycles & motorcycles, a children’s mini circuit, a gallery dedicated to the evolution of the coach building and a special display on world famous ‘raids’.Come and visit “Mahymobiles” car museum regularly, so you will be able to see for yourself the evolution and continuing expansion.
