Car free style: Charleroi - Erquelinnes

The ruins of the Cistercian Aulne Abbey are nestled on the right bank of the Sambre, in a place beautifully called "Vallée de la Paix" or Valley of peace. The atmosphere is indeed very soothing and calls for a pleasant walk. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/aulne-abbey

Listed by UNESCO for its remarkable VIIth century architecture, the belfry of Thuin guarantees a stunning panorama of the region. Visitors get the opportunity to watch a movie retracing its story.

Niché dans le fond d'une vallée de la Sambre, le port de Landelies accueille des bateaux de moins de 17 mètres toute l'année. Outre les plaisanciers, l'endroit est apprécié par les promeneurs et les oiseaux aquatiques pour son calme et son cadre naturel.

La batellerie a longtemps été une des activités économiques majeures de Thuin. Les traces de ce passé récent subsistent dans le quartier du Rivage, un endroit authentique situé en bord de Sambre, à la Ville Basse, et dont le plupart des maisons sont encore occupées par des bateliers retraités. Au cours d'un circuit d'une demi-heure environ jalonné de panneaux didactiques, le promeneur découvrira parmi celles-ci les demeures les plus anciennes, datant des XVIIe et XVIIIe s., reconnaissables à leurs portes et fenêtres particulièrement exiguës.

Maison du Tourisme Val de Sambre et Thudinie Site de l’Abbaye d’Aulne Rue de l’Abbaye d’Aulne, 7 B - 6142 Leernes Tél. : +32 71 59 69 19 Email : info@mtvaldesambre.org www.visitthudinie.be

La Maison de l'Imprimerie est un musée technique dédié aux métiers du papier. Elle abrite une importante collection de matériel d'imprimerie dont la plupart sont toujours en actualité. Ce musée vous propose une visite active et conviviale vous permettant de découvrir la typographie, la gravure et la reliure.

Entre Thuin et la batellerie, c’est une longue histoire d’amour qui remonte à des temps immémoriaux. Au début du XXe siècle, Thuin comptait plus de 1.100 chefs de famille bateliers sur une population de 5.000 habitants. Devant une page d’histoire aussi importante, nous vous offrons la possibilité de vous plonger dans le monde passionnant de la batellerie. Ainsi, à bord de notre péniche-musée, vous découvrirez la vie batelière à Thuin, les différentes étapes de la construction d’un bateau, les systèmes de communication, les événements de guerre, ... Ces différents thèmes vous sont expliqués et présentés grâce à de multiples documents d’origine comme d’anciennes cartes postales, des plans de construction d’époque, des maquettes, des objets particuliers ayant trait à la vie batelière, ...

Le musée abrite une collection d'anciens tramways (dont une machine à vapeur 303 datant de 1888) ainsi que de nombreux objets, documents et photos évoquant l'histoire des tramways vicinaux belges , ... Une ligne vicinale authentique (de Thuin à Lobbes), véritable témoin historique, emprunte un itinéraire aux panoramas uniques que seul le voyageur du tramway peut contempler lors d'une balade touristique. La ligne vers Biesme-sous-Thuin longe le RAVeL de la ligne 109 et offre au « navetteur » des vues surprenantes.

The belfry in its present form dates back to 1639, but a tower already existed in the 13th century. A unique viewpoint to discover the valleys of the Sambre and the Biesmelle is your reward when you reach the top of the 194 steps.

Le Jardin de Folcuin, réalisé sur le plan d'un jardin monastique, s'efforce de présenter au visiteur le programme végétal prévu par le Capitulaire De Villis ordonné par Charlemagne. Sur la raide pente qui borde la Collégiale, on peut se perdre dans quelques jolies venelles et y vivre l'aventure des Magyars qui, avant l'an mille, ont fait le siège du village. La Portelette, porte de Thudinie, accueille le voyageur prudent. Une statuaire contemporaine étonne le regard curieux. Un mur militaire, longé d'une ruelle, s'étend jusqu'au rivage de la Sambre. A l'angle de l'ancienne ferme abbatiale, le pignon d'une grange en grès rouge conserve encore un obus, calibre 75, non explosé!

Citadelle semblant protéger le village, celle-ci fut jadis une église funéraire pour les moines de l'abbaye, ensuite église paroissiale et enfin Collégiale. Une grande partie de sa structure remonte à l'époque carolingienne (IXème siècle). Elle recèle bien des trésors: crypte aux curieuses dalles funéraires, sarcophage, chapiteaux romans et sculptures d'époques diverses. Ne manquez pas un petit arrêt au jardin de Folcuin : jardin d'herbes médicinales bien aménagé.

Situé près du Syndicat d'Initiative, le port de plaisance accueille des bateaux résidant à l'année ou de passage. A proximité du RAVeL, cette halte nautique propose des commodités pratiques : bornes électriques, eau potable, douches, sanitaires, machines à laver, etc.

This charming B&B, awarded 3 épis for its quality, is located in Labuissière, a little village in the entity of Merbes-le-Château. The house, by the river, is a pure invite to relax... walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/au-crapaud-charmant-bb-labuissiere

The site, focusing on sustainability and natural products, makes unfiltered beers and can also make bespoke recipes (450 litres minimum). Beers: Angelus blonde, Angelus brune (dark), Angelus spéciale Noël (Christmas beer), La Sambresse (bière de Sambre et de tendresse and Abbaye de la Thure). All beers are made and bottled at the brewery. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/produit/attractions/activites/orchard/erquelinnes-microbrewery/9096

Property of Princes de Merode for more than 250 years chateaudesolresursambre.hautetfort.com/

Explore the Haute-Sambre with Nature Evasion. There is a wide range of activities to choose from - kayaking and stand up paddling included. The Haute-Sambre stretches from Erquelinnes to the Landelles lock. No narrowboat uses that part of the river, letting nature reclaim the area - perfect for a day out on the water! walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/go-paddling-or-kayaking-haute-sambre-nature-evasion

The Labuissière nature reserve, South West of Charleroi, stretches over 50 hectares. and features and ictredible mosaic of wet lands. It is managed in the eco-friendliest way, with 3 horses from the Camargue, 10 Tarpans and a Shetland poney. This marshy area is home to countless nesting and migrating birds, among which: Grey herons Kingfishers Common snipes walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/produit/attractions/activites/nature-reserve/natural-space/nature-reserve/9383

Le Pré en Bulles is a countryside gîte for 8 in Labuissière (near Merbes-le-Château, Pays des Lacs). walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/le-pre-en-bulles-countryside-gite-merbes-le-chateau

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Thuin, once a boatmen's town, reveals part of its history to visitors. Step on board this narrowboat-museum, anchored by the Quai de Sambre and discover what the daily waterway life used to be like in the region.

The Relais de la Haute Sambre, a three-star hotel in Lobbes, offers 15 spacious, modern and comfortable rooms. Built at the heart of a green estate, it proves ideal for business and leisure stays alike. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/le-relais-de-la-haute-sambre

See the full beauty of the Saint Ursmer collegiate church in the Sambre Valley (Hainaut): the only church in Belgium built in Carolingian times and the oldest in Belgium. Built in the 4th century by the monks of the Lobbes Abbey, it kept its original architecture, softened here and there by Mosan touches. walloniebelgiquetourisme.be/fr-be/content/collegiale-saint-ursmer-lobbes

The Maison de l'Imprimerie, an active technical museum dedicated to the paper trades, is home to a large collection of printing equipment. Come and learn more about this fascinating trade, which has changed so much since Gutenberg et put your ideas on paper. See you in Thuin! walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/maison-de-limprimerie-or-print-museum-thuin

The Vicinal Historic Tramway Discovery Centre in Lobbes-Thuin is a museum dedicated solely to trams of all kinds: steam, electric, diesel. Discover: Over 20 former trams: from steam trams to electric trams Tram journeys on the Thuin-Lobbes line One-off events and special days walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/vicinal-historic-tramway-discovery-centre-lobbes-thuin

Escale de Flore is a picturesque urban gîte in the medieval city of Thuin. Built in the 20th century, it has been beautifully renovated. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/escale-de-flore-urban-gite-thuin

walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/3/where-to-go-in-wallonia/memorial-towns/thuin/must-sees

The Vicinal Historic Tramway Discovery Centre in Lobbes-Thuin is a museum dedicated solely to trams of all kinds: steam, electric, diesel. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/vicinal-historic-tramway-discovery-centre-lobbes-thuin

Thuin, once a boatmen's town, reveals part of its history to visitors. Step on board this narrowboat-museum, anchored by the Quai de Sambre and discover what the daily waterway life used to be like in the region. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/discover-thuin-and-its-boat-making-history-thudo-ecomuseum

Declared Exceptional Heritage of Wallonia, Thuin's hanging gardens offer a rare landscape, enriched with a contemporary art trail.

See the full beauty of the Saint Ursmer collegiate church in the Sambre Valley (Hainaut): the only church in Belgium built in Carolingian times and the oldest in Belgium. Built in the 4th century by the monks of the Lobbes Abbey, it kept its original architecture, softened here and there by Mosan touches. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/saint-ursmer-collegiate-church-lobbes

A slight detour on Napoleon’s route, Thuin was the site of confrontations between French and Prussian troops on the morning of the 15th of June 1815. The town is worth visiting, if only for its 2 UNESCO World Heritage gems - its 17th-century Belfry and the March of Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse Saint-Roch, a religious procession escorted by marchers wearing Napoleonic military uniforms. visitwallonia.com/en-gb/3/where-to-go-in-wallonia/walloon-towns-and-cities/thuin

Café Leblon rents boats without permits: a fantastic opportunity to relax on the Sambre, near the Aulne Abbey. On the way back, indulge a refreshing, locally made beer or an ice-cream on the terrace of the establishment. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/cafe-leblon-boats-without-permits-cruises-sambre

Thudi-Nids en bulle, an extra-ordinary camping site at the Aulne Abbey (near Thuin, Hainut), invites you to spend a romantic night in a transparent bubble (or sphair), set on a high-rise terrace. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/thudi-nids-en-bulle-fun-glamping-site-near-aulne-abbey

The Auberge de l'Abbaye hotel features 6 beautifully renovated double rooms. Nestled within the former gate of the Aulne abbey, it offers quite a stunning setting. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/auberge-de-labbaye-daulne-hotel-gozee

The BPS22, one of the largest art museums in Wallonia, stands out with its stunning architecture: an industrial glass and iron casing, built in 1911. Its fascinating program of exhibitions and activities make it an iconic stop for all culture lovers in Charleroi. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/bps22-one-largest-art-museums-wallonia

This belfry, part of Charleroi's City Hall, was designed by architect Joseph André in 1936. A perfect combination of classicism and art deco in architecture, it was built of blue and white stone as well as bricks. 70 metres high, the tower was then crowned with a small bronze bell tower. The last 3 levels are home to its carillon: 47 bells playing the tune of a popular song by Jacques Bertrand, a local bard. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/belfry-charleroi-part-unesco-world-heritage

Add an underground twist to your visit of Charleroi with this incredible street art trail along the tow path. Artists from all around the world have joined the Urban Dream project and created colourful, vibrant murals to contrast with the nearby industrial landscape. Easy to discover by tube, foot or bike, it offers a real paradise to photographers. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/urban-dream-project-street-art-trail-charleroi

Ideally located in the lower part of the town, Charleroi Youth Hostel offers a choice of 189 beds as well as comfortable, modern meeting rooms. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/arthur-rimbaud-charlerois-youth-hostel

The Novotel Charleroi Centre hotel, at the heart of the city, offers modern and comfortable rooms and all the services the Accor group is famous for. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/novotel-charleroi-centre-hotel

Charleroi was once named by a Dutch suvey "the ugliest city in the world"... To fight that reputation, a passionate citizen created an urban safari: a wonderful way to (re)discover the buildings and characters who made this post-industrial city famous. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/charleroi-adventure-city-safari-new-way-discover-city