Running in Tournai: the City of Five Bell Towers
- audreyubertino
- Jun 19
- 4 min read
Located on the banks of the Scheldt River, a few kilometres from the French border, Tournai is one of Belgium's oldest cities. A city of art and history, it charms visitors with its exceptional heritage, warm atmosphere and often overlooked treasures. From the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral to the lively quays along the river, Tournai invites you to stroll, explore and contemplate. Embark on a captivating exploration of this two-thousand-year-old city with the JOOKS app route!
A historic centre of unexpected richness
It is difficult to talk about Tournai without mentioning its thousand-year history. Founded during the Roman Empire, the city was successively a Merovingian stronghold, a Carolingian city, and then a prosperous religious and commercial centre. Today, it is renowned for being home to two major monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Notre-Dame Cathedral and the belfry, two powerful symbols of its identity.
Begin your exploration at Notre Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of Romanesque and Gothic art. With its five slender bell towers and impressive Romanesque nave, it is one of the most remarkable religious buildings in Europe. Inside, don't miss the treasure, which includes a 12th-century chasuble worn by Archbishop Thomas Becket and the shrine of Notre-Dame, a silver-gilt reliquary encrusted with precious stones.
A few steps away stands the belfry of Tournai, the oldest in Belgium. Built in the 12th century, it stands 72 metres high and offers breathtaking views over the city rooftops from its summit. Its carillon gently marks the hours, filling the city with the melodies of yesteryear. It has served successively as a watchtower, a prison and a symbol of municipal autonomy.
As you stroll through the historic centre, you will also come across many stone and brick houses, examples of typical Tournai architecture. The Grand-Place, lined with lively terraces, is an excellent place to stop and enjoy a local beer or Belgian speciality while admiring the old façades.
Art lovers should make a detour to the Museum of Fine Arts, designed by Victor Horta, master of Art Nouveau. This bright building houses a varied collection ranging from Rogier van der Weyden to Rubens, Manet and Van Gogh. A real surprise in a city of this size!
A city shaped by centuries
Tournai is not just a museum city: it is a living city that has stood the test of time, marked by conflicts, rebirths and cultural exchanges. Notably, it was the only Belgian city to have been English in the 16th century, before being recaptured by Charles V. Each era has left its mark on the stones and winding streets of the city centre.
Among the most striking medieval remains, the "Pont des Trous" (The Bridge of Holes) deserves special attention. This fortified bridge, spanning the Scheldt, was part of the city's second wall. Recently restored to allow more modern barges to pass through, it nevertheless retains its charm and continues to embody the military face of medieval Tournai.
Another impressive remnant is the ancient ramparts and gates, such as the Marvis Gate and Henry VIII Tower, vestiges of the fortifications built during the English occupation. These stone witnesses tell the turbulent history of a city constantly torn between two powers, between Latin and Germanic, between north and south.
Tournai is also a city of remembrance: it was severely damaged during both world wars, but was patiently rebuilt. Some neo-Gothic façades date from this period of reconstruction, particularly around Rue Royale. This balance between conservation and modernity gives the city a unique character, made up of harmonious contrasts.
An artistic and friendly city
Tournai also charms visitors with its relaxed and friendly atmosphere, far from the hustle and bustle of large cities. A city on a human scale, it invites you to take your time, linger in its parks, enjoy its renovated quays or explore its many museums, which bear witness to its artistic and artisanal heritage.
Among the must-see attractions, don't miss the Museum of Tapestry and Textile Arts (TAMAT), which showcases an art form that is still very much alive in the region. Tournai has been a renowned centre for tapestry since the Middle Ages and continues to promote this craft. The museum offers both a historical collection and contemporary exhibitions.
Another unusual location to visit is the Museum of Folklore and Imagination, formerly known as the "Maison Tournaisienne". Housed in a former patrician residence, it recreates the daily life of the inhabitants of Tournai in the 19th century. Furniture, period objects, reconstructions of shops: it is an immersive journey into the local past, full of charm and nostalgia.
If you are a fan of urban art or modernity, you will be pleased to know that Tournai has embraced new forms of creativity. Street art murals punctuate the route along certain streets, and contemporary galleries have taken over former industrial buildings. The city is also home to a very active Academy of Fine Arts, which is behind many cultural initiatives.
Tournai is also a city of festivals: the Tournai Jazz Festival, the Cathedral Festival and the Ramdam Festival, dedicated to controversial cinema, attract thousands of visitors every year. Not to mention the Carnival or the Marche à bâton, where every Easter Monday, the people of Tournai climb Mont-Saint-Aubert armed with sticks.
Finally, gastronomy is not to be outdone: whether you want to try a slice of tarte al djote, a regional cheese speciality, or savour the craft beers brewed in the region, culinary delights are an integral part of the town's charm. Numerous restaurants and estaminets offer generous, authentic cuisine in often picturesque settings.
Run, walk or cycle with JOOKS, from the Cloth Hall to Notre-Dame Cathedral!
Find all the routes in the city of Tournai and more than 1,500 others on the JOOKS app.
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