Things to do in Tournai

Located in the province of Hainaut, Belgium, the city of Tournai is situated a mere 53 miles southwest of Brussels along the Scheldt river. It is one of the oldest cities in Belgium and was the first capital of the Frankish Empire. Tournai holds some of the most important cultural sites in Belgium such as the UNESCO World Heritage Romanesque and Gothic-styled Cathedral of Notre Dame de Tournai and the belfry. Other places of interest are the 13th-century Scheldt bridge (Pont des Trous) and the main square (Grand Place), as well as several old city gates and a variety of museums.

Step inside the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Tournai to amire the city's wealth from the Middles Ages including the Châsse de Notre-Dame flamande, a beautifully ornate 12th-century reliquary. Then, climb to the top of the Belfry for a great view of the city. Along the journey to the top you will also notice many smaller rooms wich were used as dungeons. Dont miss snaping a picture of the third symbol of the city, Pont des Trous Bridge.

Travel to the parks surrounding city hall for a change in architural style where you'll see Baroque and Classicism buildings, the majority of the museums are also located in this area. Visit the Natural History Museum and Vivarium to discover animal skeletons from the past and some live endangered animals from the Red List of threatened species. Next door is the Museum of Fine Art housing two paintings by Manet, as well as paintings by Louis Gallait and Rogier van der Weyden.

Back at Grand Place is the city's Market Square, holding a number of cafés and pubs with a series of water fountains located in its center. Some of the impressive historical buildings are here, too like the Saint-Quentin Church and the old Cloth Hall.