Best of Tournai

Tournai Essentials

Explore the architectural evolution of Tournai, one of Belgium's oldest cities, through its Romanesque and Gothic landmarks. This selection features the UNESCO-listed Notre-Dame Cathedral with its five towers and the 12th-century Belfry, the oldest in the country. The list spans centuries of history, from the 16th-century Henry VIII Tower to the 18th-century Dubuisson Brewery, while highlighting significant parish churches like Saint-Brice and Saint-Jacques that define the city's medieval skyline and its role on historic pilgrimage routes.

Tournai Essentials — Map

Jean-Pol GRANDMONT / CC BY 2.5

A

Tournai Cathedral

The Cathedral of Our Lady, or Tournai Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral, see of the Diocese of Tournai in Tournai, Belgium.

Velvet / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Belfry of Tournai

The Belfry of Tournai is a freestanding bell tower of medieval origin in Tournai, Belgium, 72 metres in height with a 256-step stairway.

Jean-Pol GRANDMONT / CC BY 2.5

C

Church of Saint Quentin, Tournai

The Church of St. Quentin is a Roman Catholic parish church in Tournai, Belgium.

Jean-Pol GRANDMONT / CC BY 2.5

D

Église Saint-Brice

A 12th-century Romanesque church located near the site where the tomb of Merovingian King Childeric I was discovered. It features a distinctive fortified appearance and houses significant religious artworks.

Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer) / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

Église Saint-Jacques

This 13th-century Gothic church served as a major stop for pilgrims traveling the Way of Saint James. It is notable for its Scaldian Gothic architecture and a preserved 12th-century Romanesque tower.

colonel_angel (utilisateur wikipedia) / Public domain

F

Dubuisson Brewery

The Dubuisson Brewery is a Belgian family brewery founded in 1769 in Pipaix, province of Hainaut.

Binche / Public domain

G

Marie-Christine de Lalaing

Marie-Christine de Lalaing, or Philippe-Christine de Lalaing, was the daughter of Count Charles II of Lalaing and Marie de Montmorency…

Yves Tennevin / CC BY 2.5

H

Martine

Martine is a feminine given name and a surname.

M0tty / CC BY-SA 3.0

I

Barthélemy Charles Joseph Dumortier

Barthélemy Charles Joseph Dumortier was a Belgian who conducted a parallel career of botanist and Member of Parliament.

J

Église Saint-Nicolas

A historic parish church featuring a Romanesque tower from the 12th century. The building reflects multiple stages of Tournai's architectural history, including later Gothic modifications.

K

Église Saint-Piat

Constructed in the 12th century over a 6th-century Merovingian basilica, this church is one of the city's oldest religious sites. It contains a Romanesque nave and a 14th-century Gothic choir.

L

Tour Henri VIII

A massive limestone artillery tower built between 1515 and 1518 during the English occupation of the city. It is the primary surviving structure of the citadel commissioned by King Henry VIII.

M

Ruines du château Médiéval de Vaulx (14e siècle)

The 13th-century ruins of a medieval fortress that once belonged to the Lords of Vaulx. The site includes the remains of the keep and defensive walls situated near the banks of the Scheldt.