Raismes, Nord, Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Located in the center of a village in the heart of the Nature Park of the Hauts-Pays, this gîte is the perfect place to discover the curiosities, landscapes, and specialties of this little-known area on the French-Belgian border. Put on your sneakers or hop on your bike to find the "caillou-qui-bique," wander through the villages and sunken paths, admire the hedged landscapes, meet local craftsmen, visit breweries, and taste the regional specialties. Don't forget the cultural and recreational activities offered by Mons, Valenciennes, and Bavay.Welcome to this house, redesigned for families or groups of friends, featuring 6 bedrooms that can accommodate up to 14 people.The well-equipped kitchen, large dining room, two lounges, as well as the terrace with barbecue, the storage for your bikes and motorbikes, the table football, and the sauna will all contribute to enhancing the quality of your stay.

In Péruwelz between the cities of Mons and Tournai, the Saint-Daniel Hotel was opened in 2013. It is located in the peace and quiet, in the immediate vicinity of the station (±150m) and just a few minutes from the downtown area. Converted from a former seed trade establishment, the hotel offers warrm, contemporary and comfortable rooms. For relaxation, a private recreation area is envisaged as well as the reception’s bar.

The gîte, "L'Air Pur", sleeps between 2 and 4 people and welcomes you to the heart of the Nature Park of the Hauts Pays. The gîte is the barn belonging to a former farmhouse, with a sofabed in the living room, a dining room that seats 4 people, a kitchen with a freezer, a woodburner, a bathroom with a separate WC and a bedroom. It also has a television and Wi-Fi. Outside, you can enjoy the terrace with an orchard, outdoor games, a barbecue and a ping-pong table. This lovely gîte is the prefect base from which to explore the regional natural parks of the Hauts-Pays on the Belgian side and Avesnois on the French side.

Located in the Nature Park of the Hauts-Pays in the village of Audregnies, the cottage has been created in the old, character-filled buildings of the former family farm.Adjacent to the owners' residence, it is comfortably furnished and features a private terrace and a large garden.It is the perfect starting point for many walks or bike rides.Close to Mons, Tournai, Valenciennes, and other numerous tourist attractions, it is the ideal base for a stay with family or friends.

The Centre de la Tapisserie, des Arts Muraux et des Arts du Tissu (Centre for Tapestry, Mural Arts and Textile Arts) is one of the five contemporary centres established by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in the field of textile art. The fact that it is established in Tournai is not insignificant, as the “capital” of Wallonie picarde was one of the country’s main centres of tapestry production in the 15th and 16th centuries. The TAMAT is housed in a beautiful mansion in neo-classicist style, the Museum of Tapestry of the City of Tournai.The collections of the TAMAT are an accurate reflection of the diversity of textile art. More than 250 items from 6 centuries of textile production are exhibited, from old 15th-century tapestries – remarkable heritage of the City of Tournai - over items from the post-war movement “Forces Murales” to contemporary works.The TAMAT also houses research workshops. Every year scholarship holders come here to work in total artistic freedom. A documentation and study centre welcomes researchers, students, teachers and the general public within the context of historical or biographical studies. Moreover, a conservation and restoration workshop, open to the public, enables visitors to gain an insight into the painstakingly slow and meticulous work done by the restorers, who will gladly answer any and all questions.

Located in the historical centre of the Town of Tournai, Hôtel Peeters houses an atypical museum which is devoted to puppetry arts in all their forms. The Puppet Centre will take you on a voyage of discovery, during which the Centre's hidden treasures will be revealed to you – treasures from the four corners of the earth. This trip around the world will thus take you in the footsteps of the most popular figures in European puppet theatre, known by the young and the not-so-young alike, but also in the footsteps of the typical characters and techniques found in the puppetry traditions of various African and Asian countries. Apart from the heritage items stored in the museum, the Puppet Centre offering for visitors also consists not only of various temporary exhibitions, educational events (upon request), creative workshops, but also many shows, training sessions and courses for children and adults. NEW! An unaccompanied tour for families entitled "Jack s'est fait la malle" – the puppet called Jack has disappeared! The only evidence of where he has been are the selfies that he has hidden, here and there, in the museum's rooms. We need you to help him to get back to his designated place amongst the other puppets! During your investigation, you will have to solve riddles, experiment with various puppet handling techniques, observe the puppets in detail, imitate their expressions, touch the material they are made of, and so forth. Available every day the museum is open. We prefer that you book in advance (by calling us on +32 (0)69 889 140 or by emailing us at maisondelamarionnette@skynet.be).

The catholic hurch at Bléharies is perhaps one of the major works of modern church architecture in Belgium. Built to a rectangular design without transepts, it has a lower, narrower, virtually square chancel and an octagonal tower 45 metres high. The nave has no side aisles and is covered by a concrete roof structure resting on reinforced concrete arches 18 metres high and 16 metres wide, set 5 metres apart. The roof, with its three rows of windows, comes down very low. Several stained-glass windows are set into the walls. The materials have been arranged to make full use of their range of colours (yellow stone and bluestone, brick on the outside, concrete and granite inside). Listed building (19-05-1993)

  Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours basilica is a neo-Gothic church built between 1885 and 1895 by the architect F. Baeckelmans on the site of a place of worship used since the 16th century. Originally, there was a statue of the Virgin, sheltered under an oak tree between the forests of Condé and Blaton. But in 1636, an initial chapel was built there and this was enlarged on many occasions. It was in 1910 that the church gained its status as a basilica. The building is constructed on a central plan in Tournai stone. The octagonal centre is flanked by a corolla of chapels with a massive light tower above. The façade features a jutting hexagonal porch with three large Gothic windows under a triangular pediment. Behind the porch, two square section towers rise five levels delineated by dripstone cordons. Above the towers is a square spire enclosed by corner pinnacles. Note the ceramics by Max van der Linden and the oak statue of the Virgin, formerly polychromatic, dominating the chancel and dating from the beginning of the 16th century. Listed (23-01-2001) Exceptional heritage site of Wallonia  

The Plaines de l'Escaut (nature park of the Scheldt) covers the 6 green municipalities of Antoing, Beloeil, Bernissart, Brunehaut, Péruwelz and Rumes. The area is rich with agricultural, horticultural, and water features, as well as swathes of woodland. Within the natural park information centre, L'Escale Forestière will provide you with extensive detail and practical information on the region, the forest and hikes. On site, the Explor'forêt interpretation centre gives you the keys to the forest ecosystem. You’ll also enjoy the Promenoir des Cimes trail which leads you on a discovery of the forest 16 metres above the ground. Families will love the Pic'orée and boundary space and the barefoot trails. For hikers, 500 km of marked trails await them. Many walks take them along the Scheldt, in the middle of fields and nurseries or in one of the many wooded areas. For bird lovers, the Harchies marshes (classified as a Natura 2000 zone) are an essential site for the observation of migratory species. The natural park is also characterised by its heritage. The castles of Beloeil and Antoing, the Iguanodon museum and the mining museum are all attractions for visitors. Not to mention the good restaurants and craft breweries which abound in the natural park.

The Parc naturel des Plaines de l’Escaut nature park is a territory dotted with pollard willows, wetlands and forests. Nearly 500 km of marked hiking trails delight hikers, cyclists and riders. When accompanied by a specialised guide you will be able to discover this area of unspoilt nature, where land and water meet. Several sites are typical of the territory, e.g. the marshes of Les Marais d’Harchies, the Mer de Sable nature reserve in Stambruges, the tree nurseries of Lesdain and the Musée de l’Iguanodon (Iguanodon museum). The Maison du Parc is located near the basilica of Notre-Dame de Bon-Secours, which dominates the nature park. This visitor centre and nature education centre shows everything the park has to offer in terms of tourism and nature. The Hiking Area and an interactive screen indicate all marked trails for riders, hikers and cyclists. The Gastronomic Area presents various local products. The Maison du Parc is also the starting point of the "Escale forestière" multimedia tour on forest wildlife and plants, and of the "Promenoir des Cimes" raised walkway which enables you to walk among the treetops of oaks, ashes and beeches soaring 16m above the ground. ACTIVITIES: organised walks with nature guides throughout the year.

Not only is an authentic iguanodon skeleton, 5 m high and 130 million years old, discovered by miners in a Bernissart mine in 1878, on display in this museum, visitors will also discover a menosaur (first marine reptile), hundreds of other fossils and an impressive mineral collection. The guides are at the entire disposal of the children, who get to be palaeontologists for the day. Be sure to spend some time at the open-air playground after visiting the museum.The audiovisual panels along the circuit represent the 29 complete dinosaur skeletons found during the exploitation of the Bernissart coal mine (Fosse Sainte-Barbe). A good way to end the day is to visit the “Marais d’Harchies.” Situated at 2 km from the Iguanodon museum, this nature reserve listed as a Natura 2000 reserve and featuring numerous observation posts will certainly appeal to (budding !) ornithologists.

The Harchies marshes, in the Hainaut, are wetlands of ornithological interest. This nature space offers one of the most diverse flora in Wallonia.

This brewery has been producing artisanal beers for 20 years (4 passionate generations!) already, using local ingredients: Blanche des Sources, La Vieille de Bon Secours (blonde, amber, dark, fruity), Blonde de Noël.

Our good old Belgian potatoes have finally been honoured! The brasserie restaurant PATATE HOUSE does your potatoes differently! It’s a new concept likely to appeal to a large number of gourmets! Guests can enjoy a wide variety of baked potatoes with the fillings of their preference. They have the tantalizing names “fromagère” (cheese maker), “chevrière” (shepherdess), “chicorée” (chicory), “marseillaise” (Marseillaise) and “nordique” (Nordic). There’s the full works! For those who don’t like potatoes, delicious salads are also available in various formats with each more original than the next. Grilled fish and meat complete this menu which can still vary with the seasons! All this in a welcoming environment where you can also have a delicious glass of beer or a bottle of wine selected by the manager, along with some home-made snacks that are also at attractive prices! Testing PATATE HOUSE... Is to adopt it!

"Freshness, simplicity and diversity" have been the values behind their cuisine for almost seven years now. Located in the largest tree-filled square in Belgium, you will easily find space to enable you to stop off there and to come and enjoy our Greek culinary specialities. In a warm and cosy atmosphere, in a setting in which the decoration has been freshened up, thanks to professional hosting, you will be able to discover freshly-prepared dishes straight made to order at the foot of the Acropolis or sip an ouzo while biting into feta with that lovely taste of Kolymbari olive oil with an uninterrupted view of the town of Oia in Santorini. Place 31 specialises in grilled dishes, and all dishes are carefully home-made. Dolmades, soutzoukakia, keftedes, kokalakia giouvetsi, to mention but a few: names that will surely remind you of pleasant evenings spent on holidays in Greece. Place 31: an opportunity to go back to Greece, without even having to get on a plane! Take advantage of this chance to visit the Haut Pays area, which is less than 20 minutes from Mons. Place 31 has two outdoor seating areas and a private garden.

Visit an authentic Belgian brasserie in Blaton. All beers are brewed and bottled on the premises.

In a warm, welcoming setting, the Dupont brothers, with Vincent in the kitchen and Etienne front of house, serve up traditional food that showcases local ingredients. Throughout the year, the restaurant invites you to discover or rediscover the great classics of brasserie cuisine. As well as a menu packed with around sixty starters and main courses, Vincent Dupont also offers a number of themed adventures. Game, seafood, asparagus and Bouchot mussels appear on the menu depending on the season. Vincent Dupont started out in Michelin-starred restaurants like the Maison de Bouche with the illustrious Pierre Romeyer and the Fox de La Panne. Throughout these years, our chef never lost sight of his love for traditional, ordinary food. Since 2014, the culinary expertise showcased at the Auberge le XIXe has also been available in a shop. Made up of a catering service and a delicatessen, the store showcases ingredients provided by local artisans. Packed with flavours, the shop at the Auberge, run by Marie-Christine (Vincent’s wife), invites you on a journey of discovery.

This brewery, one of the oldest in Wallonia, tells its story through a unique immersive experience. Then enjoy a drink on the Troll & Bush's large terrace in a lush green setting! visit.dubuisson.com/beerstorium/

Gaetan Moury and his team invite you to join them in this warm, friendly medieval setting and give your eyes and your taste buds a treat at Le Médiéval. Traditional cooking and local specialities like stuffed pigs’ ears, tartiflette and grills. When it comes to what to drink, try one of the beers from near and far... the choice includes Orval, Karmeliet and Saint-Feuillien. Le Médiéval also organises banquets (parties, weddings, communions, etc.), offering customised packages to suit your preferences and your budget.

Welcome to the Saint Daniel Hotel Housed in an ancient seed merchant’s house, halfway between Mons and Tournai, this warm, contemporary and comfortable hotel was designed in 2013. The Saint Daniel Hotel is located in very tranquil surroundings, whilst very close to the railway station (approximately 150 meters) and only a few minutes away from the town centre. https://www.hotelsaintdaniel.be/en

Located in the center of a village in the heart of the Nature Park of the Hauts-Pays, this gîte is the perfect place to discover the curiosities, landscapes, and specialties of this little-known area on the French-Belgian border. Put on your sneakers or hop on your bike to find the "caillou-qui-bique," wander through the villages and sunken paths, admire the hedged landscapes, meet local craftsmen, visit breweries, and taste the regional specialties. Don't forget the cultural and recreational activities offered by Mons, Valenciennes, and Bavay.Welcome to this house, redesigned for families or groups of friends, featuring 6 bedrooms that can accommodate up to 14 people.The well-equipped kitchen, large dining room, two lounges, as well as the terrace with barbecue, the storage for your bikes and motorbikes, the table football, and the sauna will all contribute to enhancing the quality of your stay.

In Péruwelz between the cities of Mons and Tournai, the Saint-Daniel Hotel was opened in 2013. It is located in the peace and quiet, in the immediate vicinity of the station (±150m) and just a few minutes from the downtown area. Converted from a former seed trade establishment, the hotel offers warrm, contemporary and comfortable rooms. For relaxation, a private recreation area is envisaged as well as the reception’s bar.

The gîte, "L'Air Pur", sleeps between 2 and 4 people and welcomes you to the heart of the Nature Park of the Hauts Pays. The gîte is the barn belonging to a former farmhouse, with a sofabed in the living room, a dining room that seats 4 people, a kitchen with a freezer, a woodburner, a bathroom with a separate WC and a bedroom. It also has a television and Wi-Fi. Outside, you can enjoy the terrace with an orchard, outdoor games, a barbecue and a ping-pong table. This lovely gîte is the prefect base from which to explore the regional natural parks of the Hauts-Pays on the Belgian side and Avesnois on the French side.

The "L'Air Pur" holiday cottage, with a capacity of two to four people, enables you to stay right in the heart of the Nature Park of the Hauts Pays. The holiday cottage, which is located in the former barn of a small farmhouse, has a sitting room with a sofa bed, a dining room which accommodates four people, a kitchen with a freezer, a wood-burning fireplace, a bathroom with a separate toilet and a bedroom. It is also equipped with television and WiFi. Outside, you can enjoy a terrace with an orchard, outdoor games and a table tennis table. This lovely gîte is the prefect base from which to explore the regional natural parks of the Hauts-Pays on the Belgian side and Avesnois on the French side.

Thanks to its luxurious rooms, quiet park, functional seminar rooms and comfortable reception halls, Le Château d'Arondeau is ideal for an exhilarating stay, for seminars or for the most wonderful celebrations… This elegant 19th-century castle, located in the heart of the Parc naturel des Plaines de l'Escaut, did not lose any of its charm during its restoration and currently combines historical character with modern comfort, in the unique setting of a 15 hectare estate consisting of woodland, ponds and gardens.