Top Things to do in Hainaut Province
Top Restaurants in Hainaut Province
Things to do in Hainaut Province, Wallonia: The Best Sights & Landmarks
Discover the best top things to do in Hainaut Province, Belgium including St Symphorien Military Cemetery, The Belfry of Tournai, Collegiale Sainte-Waudru, Plan Incline de Ronquieres, The Ploegsteert Memorial, Comedie Centrale de Charleroi, Christmas Truce Memorial, Saint James Church, Schiffshebewerke des belgischen Canal du Centre, Maison du Pays des Collines.
Restaurants in Hainaut Province
1. 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...
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Plan Incline de Ronquieres
5. The Ploegsteert Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
The PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL commemorates more than 11,000 servicemen of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in this sector during the First World War and have no known grave. The Ploegsteert Memorial stands in Berks Cemetery Extension, which is located 12.5 Kms south of Ieper town centre, on the N365 leading from Ieper to Mesen (Messines), Ploegsteert and on to Armentieres.
6. Comedie Centrale de Charleroi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 275 reviews
7. Christmas Truce Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By PatriciaG147 - Worcester, United Kingdom
A simple cross stands before the swathe of land where, at Chtistmas 1914, soldiers on opposing sides laid down their weapons for a brief few hours to sing carols together across the lines, play football in no man's land, and exchange gifts and greetings. It was an unworldly moment of peace and goodwill before the bloody hostilities resumed next day. As you stand looking across the landscape, it is deeply moving to picture what happened here that night. The memorial itself is small in size, but the event it commemorates was a gigantic act of hope.
8. Saint James Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By nmhiker2015 - Las Cruces, United States
This church looks a little sad from the outside, but has some amazing finds on the inside. First, as you go in there is a large carved trumpeting angel which is very impressive. Inside the church, there are several lovely stained glass windows, and the vaulted ceiling above the altar has some remnants of very pretty blue. The best feature is the barrel vaulted ceiling in the main part of the church. There were a couple of boards - unfortunately not in English - that show an up close detailed view of this unique ceiling. Stop by, enjoy the view, and drop a Euro or two in the box to help them maintain and improve this little gem.
9. Schiffshebewerke des belgischen Canal du Centre
10. Maison du Pays des Collines
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
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