The oldest Belgian city has a 12th-century Gothic cathedral with five towers reaching 83m high. Roman ruins and medieval buildings line the Grand Place.
Tournai, one of Belgium's oldest cities, lies along the Scheldt River in Wallonia. When you walk through its medieval center, you'll see the Notre-Dame Cathedral with its five towers reaching 83 meters into the sky. The city's streets contain stone houses from 1175, ancient bridges spanning the river, and museums in elegant Art Nouveau buildings created by architect Victor Horta.
Getting to Tournai
Direct trains from Brussels arrive hourly, with the journey taking about an hour. From Lille, France, trains run frequently and take 30-60 minutes. You can walk to most attractions within the city center, though local buses connect major points of interest.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
The 11th-century cathedral combines Romanesque architecture in its nave with Gothic elements in its 13th-century choir. The five towers reach 83 meters high and are visible from most parts of the city. Inside, you can examine 13th-century reliquary shrines and stone carvings. The nave rises in four levels and includes a double western door, making it unlike other Romanesque churches in Europe.
Medieval Buildings in Tournai
Two stone houses on Rue Barre-St-Brice date from 1175-1200, maintaining their original Romanesque windows and doorways. The Pont des Trous crosses the Scheldt River with three 13th-century stone arches. On Rue des Jésuites, you can spot a Gothic house with its original pointed arches and medieval stonework.
Museums and Culture
The Museum of Fine Arts occupies a 1928 building by Victor Horta, with natural light streaming through curved glass ceilings. The collection includes paintings by Monet, Manet, and Seurat. At the Folklore Museum, 23 rooms display everyday objects and recreate living spaces from different periods in Tournai's past. The Puppet Museum exhibits 2,500 puppets from around the world in a 19th-century mansion.
Local Traditions
The Great Procession has moved through Tournai's streets every September since 1092, with participants carrying religious symbols and wearing traditional clothing. During Lost Monday in January, local restaurants prepare rabbit according to regional recipes. In February, the carnival brings puppet figures, music, and dancing to the streets.
Grand Place
Fountains mark the center of this medieval square, surrounded by buildings from the 15th and 16th centuries. The Belfry has 256 steps leading to a viewing platform overlooking the terracotta roofs and cathedral towers. Next to it, the 1610 Cloth Hall displays Renaissance architectural details in its facade and stone carvings.
