Hainaut

Hainaut province is a region full of surprises and hidden treasures, with a diverse range of attractions to suit all visitors – gourmands, lovers of art and culture, sports enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Hainaut, formerly a thriving industrial province, is now one of the foremost agricultural regions of Wallonia. Tournaisis, Pays des Collines, Pays de Ath, Val de Sambre et Thudinie, Botte de Hainaut and the Hauts Pays typify the verdant, rural landscape while retaining their individual characters. The province is blessed with three nature parks and the lakes of the Eau d’Heure.

Apart from Charleroi, the main provincial towns have retained an atmosphere of rural charm. This is thanks to the heritage policies applied in many towns like Mons, Tournai and Enghiens, whose bustling day-to-day existence comfortably embraces the art of living. The more remarkable destinations include Tuin, located on a rock, and Chimay, which has a gem of a castle. Hainaut has 264 kilometres of navigable lakes, and is home to the Park of Canals and Castles between La Louvière, Ronquières and Seneffe.

Places of interest

Mouscron: Discover the architectural heritage of Mouscron with a guided tour.

Comines: Former capital of the textile industry. Go back in time in the living museum of ribbon manufacture.

Mons: Prestigious art collections are housed in the city’s museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Decorative Arts.

Charleroi: An amazing town with a rich cultural heritage – Art Deco town hall, museums, parks, Art Nouveau façades.

Tournaisis: Two natural parks, the Pays des Collines and the Plains of the Schelde, with heritage buildings and tours featuring local products.

Attractions

Mont-sur-Marchienne: Admire the original pictures in the Museum of Photography.

Abbey of Aulne: Impressive Cistercian ruins and the Brewery of Val de Sambre which markets the Abbaye d’Aulne branded beers.

Chimay: Discover the steep streets and castle within the ramparts, seat of the Princes housing a marvellous Italianate theatre.

Le Bois du Cazier: Old mine in the Marcinelle district and site of a great disaster in August 1956. Exhibits relate to the disaster and mining in the region.

Cuisine of the region

Hainaut cuisine is the traditional cuisine of the Hainaut province in Belgium. It is influenced by French, Belgian, and German cuisine, and often uses local ingredients such as meat, vegetables, and cheese.

Popular Hainaut dishes include:

• Carbonnades flamandes:  Beef stew in beer and spices
• Moules-frites: Mussels steamed in beer and spices, served with french fries
• Andouillettes: Blood sausage
• Potjevleesch: Meat terrine in wine and spices
• Flamiche : Vegetable pie
• Boulettes de viande: Meatballs
• Châtaignes: Chestnuts
• Gaufres: Waffles