Location: Tournai
Top Things to do in Tournai
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The 10 Best Things to do in Tournai, Wallonia
Tournai is a charming small town near France that begs to be discovered. With more than 2,000 years of history, Tournai’s roots began as a market town (Tornacum) near the crossroads of a Roman road. Today, the sprawling municipality includes more than 1,000 kilometres of signposts, with guidance from “Rambling Cards,” allowing Tournai to be explored on foot, by bike or on horseback. Here an old chapel, there a castle or an old farm – there’s so much to see in Tournai that you’ll soon realize you’ve been exploring for hours. Must-see attractions include Notre Dame Cathedral in Tournai, The Belfry, Museum of Fine Arts, the Castle of Beloeil, and the Museum of Tapestry and Textile Arts.
Restaurants in Tournai
1. The Belfry of Tournai
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 250 reviews
Reviewed By Mb7400 - London, United Kingdom
A very long day, after travelling into the Wallonia region, via Eurotunnel and then, Dunkirk by car - it was a curiosity to me that it was merely two days, off a year, since an evening in Dunkirk, which was not very ‘pleasant or positive.’ Remarkable how quickly a year passes. Have driven through Wallonia several times, yet was not incredibly familiar with this region. (Liege - NOT good!) Conversely, Tournai was really very nice - a good place to stop off, to have a stretch of the legs, and have a breather. The architecture here is certainly highly impressive, and apparently, some buildings here are the oldest in Belgium. The deservedly revered Gabrielle Petit, was also from Tournai, as a colleague pointed out, interestingly. Were unable to go up the Belfry, understandably, which was a pity, as the view would certainly have been impressive. The Belfry itself is an impressive structure and well worth seeing, and overall Tournai seemed very nice - and reminded me, a little of Poperinge ‘mixed with’ Breda in the Netherlands.
2. Musee du Folklore (Folklore Museum)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Many diverse exhibits in two 17th century buildings.
Reviewed By Wolffie1st - Argenton-sur-Creuse, France
Among other things I now know why a lady's hat pin can be considered a very fine weapon for self-defence. But it was chock-a-block with wonderful exhibits covering every aspect of daily life in centuries past. Well done.
3. Musee d'Histoire Naturelle et Vivarium
4. Saint James Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By nmhiker2015 - Las Cruces, United States
This church looks a little sad from the outside, but has some amazing finds on the inside. First, as you go in there is a large carved trumpeting angel which is very impressive. Inside the church, there are several lovely stained glass windows, and the vaulted ceiling above the altar has some remnants of very pretty blue. The best feature is the barrel vaulted ceiling in the main part of the church. There were a couple of boards - unfortunately not in English - that show an up close detailed view of this unique ceiling. Stop by, enjoy the view, and drop a Euro or two in the box to help them maintain and improve this little gem.
5. Central Square
6. TAMAT / Musee de la Tapisserie
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 26 reviews
Le TAMAT est, pour les arts textiles, l’un des cinq centres contemporain mis en place par la Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles. En 1990, TAMAT s’installe dans un tres bel hotel de Maitre de style neo-classique, le Musee de la Tapisserie de la ville de Tournai. Outre des collections allant des tapisseries anciennes du XV° siecle aux œuvres les plus contemporaines, le TAMAT abrite des ateliers de recherche. Ceux-ci permettent chaque annee a des boursiers d’explorer, dans une liberte artistique totale, les possibilites infinies qu’offre le textile. Un atelier de restauration et de conservation, ainsi qu’un centre de documentation completent le large panel des activites du Centre.
7. Notre Dame Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 365 reviews
Reviewed By kkfriend
Beautiful gothic church, with large stained glass windows and different side chapels. Signage (in Englsh!) describes the history of the cathedral and you can see the remains of the structures that the present church was built on. The treasury is filled with different monstrances and reliquaries and I also was fascinated by the historical timeline that lined the wall that led from the main church to the treasury.
8. Pont des Trous
9. La Halle Aux Draps
10. Museum of Fine Arts (Musee des Beaux-Arts)
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 127 reviews
Reviewed By doncortisone
beautiful museum of fine arts. Impressive collection of timeless masterpieces, a host of artists with incredible talent
