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Tournai

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City
PlizioGo—°2246
Tournai (Belgium)
ℹ️

Practical info — Tournai

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • The striking Cathedral of Our Lady, with its five towers, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an absolute must-visit.
  • Climb the oldest Belfry in Belgium for the best panoramic views of the city and its surrounding areas.
  • Take a stroll along the Escaut (Scheldt) river to admire the Pont des Trous, an iconic medieval bridge.
  • The Museum of Fine Arts, designed by the famous architect Victor Horta, houses an excellent art collection.

🍽 Food

🍽
Clovis Cake (Gâteau Clovis)

A local almond and pineapple cake named after the Frankish king. Available in traditional pastry shops.

🍽
Tournay Beer

The only beer brewed within Tournai. Enjoy this refreshing craft beer in a traditional tavern on the Grand Place.

🍽
Lapin à la Tournaisienne

Rabbit cooked the Tournai way with prunes and beer. Look for it on the menus of classic brasseries.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Pedestrian streets near Grand Place

Wander the narrow streets like Rue des Maux for independent boutiques and pleasant local shops.

🛍
Saturday Market

Visit the weekly market to explore regional Walloon cheeses, meats, and fresh produce.

🧘
Parc de l'Hôtel de Ville

A beautiful green oasis surrounding the Town Hall, first-rate for a short relaxing walk.

🧘
Mont-Saint-Aubert

A nearby hill just a short drive away, offering peaceful woodland walks and sweeping views over Tournai.

Highlights of 2026

2

Tournai is one of the oldest and historically most significant cities in Belgium and was the first capital of the Frankish Empire in the 5th century under King Childeric I. In the heart of the city rises the imposing Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Tournai, an architectural masterpiece with five distinctive towers that combines Romanesque and Gothic style elements and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Another UNESCO monument is the Belfry of Tournai, the oldest freestanding bell tower in the country, dating back to the 12th century. Historically, the city was not only politically important but also a center of fine craftsmanship, famous for Tournai porcelain and magnificent tapestries. Today, the city on the Scheldt River enchants visitors with its pleasant squares, museums, and a well-preserved star fort.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C3361013161818151173
Rain mm665956415963707653637076

Live webcam – Tournai

See what it looks like near Tournai right now.

Tournai: Mont-Saint-Aubert · 5.3 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
69,554
Coordinates
50.60570, 3.38720

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Sights in the town Tournai (24)

Citadelle de Tournai🛡️ fortress

The remains of the former citadel of Tournai, once part of the city's fortifications.

Musée d'histoire naturelle et vivarium🏛 museum

A natural history museum in Tournai featuring an extensive collection and a vivarium.

La Fenêtre🎭 culture

La Fenêtre is a contemporary art center in central Tournai.

Studio Alpha🎭 culture

A local theater in Tournai presenting various stage performances.

Galerie Henri Casterman🏛 museum

A museum or gallery in Tournai exhibiting works of art.

Trésor de la Cathédrale🏛 museum

The treasury of the Tournai Cathedral, housing significant religious artworks.

Château de la Marlière🏰 castle

Château de la Marlière is a moated castle with a large park near Tournai.

Château du Saulchoir🏰 castle

Château du Saulchoir is a castle surrounded by a large forest near Tournai.

Jungle City👨‍👩‍👧 family

An amusement park for children and families located in Tournai.

Moulin des Sottises🏺 historical

The Moulin des Sottises is a historic windmill in Tournai, now a museum.

Port'Ouverte🎭 culture

A cultural center in Tournai providing space for artistic expression.

Maison Art Nuveau📍 landmark

A building in Tournai that stands out for its Art Nouveau architecture.

Tour du Cygne🏺 historical

The Tour du Cygne is a medieval tower from the city fortifications of Tournai.

Bolwerk🏺 historical

Bolwerk is a historical bastion built in 1867 in Tournai.

Moulin du Crampon📍 landmark

The Moulin du Crampon is a historic watermill on the Scheldt river in Tournai.

Fontaine Saint-Eloi📍 landmark

A historic spring or fountain in Tournai dedicated to Saint Eloi.

Église Saint-Quentin⛪ religious

A Romanesque church located on the main square of Tournai, dedicated to Saint Quentin.

Église Saint-Jacques⛪ religious

A significant Gothic church in Tournai located on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.

Église Saint-Piat⛪ religious

An old church in Tournai built on the foundations of an early Christian basilica.

Ancienne carrière Dumon🌿 nature

Ancienne carrière Dumon in Tournai is a former quarry that now serves as a lake.

Ancienne carrière du Cornet🌿 nature

Ancienne carrière du Cornet is a body of water in Tournai formed by former mining activities.

Bassin de décantation🌿 nature

Bassin de décantation in Tournai is a functional body of water in the local environment.

Air Jump👨‍👩‍👧 family

Air Jump in Tournai gives action-packed trampoline fun for children and young people.

Piscine de l'Orient - Aquatournai👨‍👩‍👧 family

A swimming pool complex in Tournai providing aquatic activities and leisure facilities.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Notre-Dame Cathedral famous for?
For its five towers and the mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles.
Does Tournai have a Belfry?
Yes, it is the oldest Belfry in Belgium.
What is the Pont des Trous?
A medieval fortified bridge over the river Scheldt.
Which museum was designed by Victor Horta?
The Musée des Beaux-Arts (Museum of Fine Arts).
Is Tournai one of the oldest cities in Belgium?
Yes, the city has a history of over 2000 years.
Tournai: where is it located?
Tournai is located in Belgium.
Tournai: what is there to see?
Highlights include Citadelle de Tournai, Musée d'histoire naturelle et vivarium, La Fenêtre.
Tournai: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Tournai: why is it worth visiting?
Tournai is one of the oldest and historically most significant cities in Belgium and was the first capital of the Frankish Empire in the 5th century under King Childeric I.
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