Routes (47)

Cycle route: Mons, a tribute to 1914-1918

On the occasion of the First World War centenary, Mons has joined forces with many towns in Belgium and France which witnessed the Great War to increase awareness and sensitivity towards it. Through commemorative ceremonies, exhibitions and various forms of representation, the Mons region will pay tribute to all those civilians and military men who suffered during these four years. Mons is at the heart of the First World War commemorations in 2014. Discover the legend of the Mons Angels and navigate the territories marked by this Great War. So we never forget...

03 h 00 m

easy

Longueur du parcours: 31.23 km

Quevy, a Misunderstood Land

Despite Quévy being so close to Mons, time seems to have stood still in this eternally charming place. The first few kilometres of this route snatch you into highly attractive countryside, with its long red brick farmhouses. Here they’re in harmony with the area’s soothing, calm side. You’ll be cycling with a smile on your lips as far as Aulnois. Hedges and groves still dot Quévy. The farms and streams you continuously cycle past will make you yearn after the next hamlet; you’ll be carried away by small roads that offer new scenery at each turn. It will change radically when you enter the Sars-la-Bruyère woods. Luckily, you’re riding and yellow spots dot the ground. Daffodils herald nature awakening. From Genly to Bougnies, the sun is already warming the atmosphere. At which point you’ll want to drop your bike and give yourself a nap in the middle of the field. It will be a well-deserved rest after this 30km ride through a little-known but interesting region.

03 h 00 m

medium

Longueur du parcours: 31.05 km

Colfontaine route

Here’s a bike tour that explores the many facets of Colfontaine. Its narrow streets, its history with Van Gogh, the coal mine of Marcasse, its forest and its heritage... You start by coming from Mons via the Ravel!

01 h 30 m

medium

Longueur du parcours: 14.65 km

Le top 15 de l’architecture contemporaine

Come and discover the top 15 of contemporary architecture in Mons and in the Borinage, and change your view of the 20th century heritage. From a selection of projects included in the “Guide to modern and contemporary architecture in Mons & Cœur du Hainaut 1885-2015”, tour a city with a heritage that bets on contemporary architecture as an engine of local and regional development, through the construction and renovation of many public facilities, especially as part of Mons 2015: Mons 2015 Foundation, Mons Memorial Museum, Artothèque, Maison du Design, BAM, Silex, Arsonic, Mundaneum, ... All the projects unveiled here (and many others) are taken from the “Guide to modern and contemporary architecture in Mons & Cœur du Hainaut 1885-2015”, under the direction of Lamya Ben Djaffar and Isabelle De Smet and illustrated with photographs by Olivier Cornil. The book, from a partnership with the UMONS Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, was published in 2015 by the Cellule Architectural Publishers of the Wallonia-Brussels – Mardaga Federation. It is available from the Tourism Office and in all the good bookshops in Belgium and France.

02 h 00 m

medium

Longueur du parcours: 7.22 km

Quévy-le-petit, on the paths of the wind turbines

The soft relief of the Quévy territory invites you to explore on foot this beautiful countryside where wine is produced! Here, time passes peacefully. The stress of the big city seems far away when you discover the village of Quévy-le-Petit. The route will go right to the heart of this peaceful countryside, along a superb path that goes to Bougnies – it’s a somewhat dreamy scene of a country landscape, with everything harmonious and tranquil. The paths and minor roads navigate between the vast croplands of this still agricultural country. On the horizon, a colourful palette extends until it is out of sight. The wind turbines gracefully churn in the endlessly blowing breeze. Following the shadow of their blades, we come to the Domaine du Chant d’Éole, posed as an island in the middle of fields. Crossing the limestone ground, we follow the Chardonnay grape vines. At the end, like a beacon, the church of Quévy-le-Petit stands out against the ochre and yellow crops in the background.

02 h 10 m

easy

Longueur du parcours: 8.45 km

Discovering the sanctuaries of abbeys

Starting at Grand-Place, come and discover the former refuges (see the definition below): of the French Hasnon Abbey, a large building in the classic Mons style from the first half of the 18th Century; of Liessies Abbey, which dates back to 1633 and which was re-arranged in the 18th Century; of Bélian Abbey, a rich building erected circa 1775 according to plans drawn up by Charles-Emmanuel Fonson; of Aulne Abbey, established in the private mansion of the knights of the Order of Malta, in the second half of the 18th Century; of Bonne Espérance Abbey, a vast building featuring 18 spans on two coated levels from the middle of the 18th Century; of the Saint-Denis-en-Brocqueroie Abbey, a listed monument and a large Louis XIV of France-era building

03 h 00 m

easy

Longueur du parcours: 3.36 km

Montignies-sur-Roc, sweet life

The undulating hills surround Montignies-sur-Roc, a rural country where one finds the sweetness of life in the Hauts-Pays. From the village square, we follow the paved road which takes us to the paths of the Hauts-Pays. Far from the cities and heavy industry, we breathe. At Autreppe, the hills and the forest merge and obscure the horizon. We enter the valley carved by the Honnelle. A steep descent and we are there at the foot of the Caillou qui Bique, the legendary rock where poet Emile Verhaeren liked to recharge. We go up the course of the river to rejoin the RAVeL upstream. It will take us to the entrance of Audregnies. A short detour via a secret trail brings us to the Brasserie de l’Abbaye des Rocs and the little shop of the Pype-Lievens Farm, producing delicious white cheeses, camamberts and yoghurts. Here you will be greeted by the charming smile of these producers, in harmony with the welcoming side of the Hauts-Pays Nature Park.

04 h 00 m

hard

Longueur du parcours: 11.97 km

Montignies-sur-roc, the Epicurean's Route

Crossing the Haut-Pays by bike where we enjoy stopping at renowned producers. From the square, let’s go down into the picturesque valley formed by the Petite Honnelle. A small hill and here comes the pretty square of Audregnies. It’s an opportunity to stop at the Dufrasnes artisanal bakery and taste the delicious breads, cooked on stone. The Flavours Route goes on, towards Wihéries. There, another bakery is worth the detour. At Chez Joël et Christine, at the ball game square, we take away a small homemade pie – the cyclist remains an Epicurean… The RAVeL, this pretty green channel, takes us quickly to Quiévrain. We get something to eat at ®Bistrot de Terroir, Estaminet, before continuing towards Angreau where one of the taste masters, the chocolatier Druart is located. From Roisin a short detour towards Meaurain, bee country. Just after Autreppe the route follows the ridges that lead us to Onnezies, illuminated by the soft light of late afternoon.

04 h 00 m

hard

Longueur du parcours: 43.31 km

Ouvrir les murs - Circuit Dolez

"Dans ce premier parcours "Ouvrir les murs", nous mettrons en évidence les aspects liés à l’habitat, à la rivière, l’eau potable et l’hygiène, et à l’espace du boulevard. Un autre circuit est consacré à la présence militaire, aux équipements collectifs, à la gare et à la liaison gare-Grand-Place. " Ce parcours a été mis au point par l'équipe de Sauvegarde et Avenir de Mons et d'Ouvrir les Murs, en liaison avec l'exposition de l'été 2015 et le livre : Mons 1865-2015, Ouvrir les Murs. Les rues du centre-ville de Mons sont sinueuses, souvent étroites. Mons a en effet gardé en grande partie sa structure médiévale. Cette structure rigoureuse, qui furent construites après le démantèlement en 1861-1865 des fortifications dites "hollandaises". Dans ce parcours, les aspects liés à l'habitat, la rivière, l'eau potable et l'hygiène et l'espace du boulevard seront mis en évidence. Jusqu'en 1865, Mons, ville fortifiée, est restée enfermée dans des fortifications successives (françaises, autrichiennes, hollandaises, ...). De 1861 à 1865, le démantèlement des fortifications va offrir à la ville une vaste superficie pour son développement. Ce développement, souhaité depuis longtemps, et préparé dès le milieu du 19e s., cherchait à résoudre de nombreux problèmes liés au manque d'espace et aux difficultés d'approvisionnement en eau potable. Le parcours va vous faire percevoir plusieurs de ces problèmes et comment la ville y a répondu, principalement dans les décennies qui ont suivi, mais aujourd'hui encore.

02 h 00 m

easy

Longueur du parcours: 2.78 km

Quiévrain Route

Quiévrain, Audregnies, Baisieux ... This bike tour will expose you to the three villages from different angles, covering heritage, nature, history and recollection through the Mémoire d’Audregnies.

01 h 30 m

medium

Longueur du parcours: 14.14 km

Jurbise - Beautiful Countryside

Jurbise, a few kilometres to the north of Mons, is not short on charm with Moustier castle, the starting point of this ride. From the town hall, the route snakes through fields: small niches and chapels mark out the way to Egmont castle, from the late Middle Ages. On its foundations, a monastic community established a priory, slightly removed from the world. It is true that on these rearranged routes you get a calm soothing feeling. You silently cycle over bitumen to Herchies. There, a tree of nails stands proudly from a legacy of popular beliefs. Put up in the 1950s, it is the worthy heir of the missing oak, which is more than four centuries old. From the village, you pass through a rural landscape including the hamlets of Gernante and Petite Vacresse, which are peaceful and undoubtedly offer a great quality of life to their inhabitants. At Erbisoeul, leave the road on the right leading to Jurbise golf course, one of the oldest in Belgium and designed at the time by the English garden architect Simpson. The return to Jurbise goes along country roads which are unknown and yet very rural.

01 h 50 m

easy

Longueur du parcours: 17.65 km

Natura 2000 Honnelles Boucle B

Cette randonnée passe par le charmant village de Montignies-sur-Roc. Elle contourne ensuite le bois de Rampemont en vous faisant découvrir le château-ferme du même nom, traverse le village d’Autreppe et prend fin à Onnezies, non loin de la Maison du Parc Naturel. Ce circuit a été réalisé par le Parc Naturel des Hauts-Pays, le Service Public de Wallonie son Département Nature et Forêt.

01 h 00 m

easy
02 h 30 m

medium

Longueur du parcours: 11.55 km

L' Art habite la Ville (Art lives in the city)

« L’Art habite la Ville » transforme Mons en un musée à ciel ouvert grâce à une centaine d'œuvres urbaines à découvrir en centre-ville et dans les villages de la périphérie. Des artistes du monde entier ont créé des œuvres emblématiques appuyant un peu plus le statut de Mons comme Capitale Wallonne de la Culture. Redécouvrez la ville et ses fresques monumentales qui rendent la culture accessible à tous! Bonne balade!

03 h 00 m

easy

Longueur du parcours: 10.11 km

Quaregnon, a rich heritage

A route through urban territory but which for which there is no lack of charm when it comes to climbing the La Flache slag heap. On Monday, Quaregnon is adorned with thousands of colours and fragrances – it’s market day! The stalls are filled with Italian, Moroccan and Turkish products that scent the air. Here beats a bit or the heart of the South. From the Town Square, where the old outline of the church is reproduced, let us go along these streets that have an interesting architectural heritage. An example is the community hall, built in 1939 adjacent to the tower of the Gothic church, dating from the 15th century. We climb or rather clamber up the La Flache slag heap, ending up at an altitude of over 100 m. At the peak, the view takes in a 360° panorama and you can see over 30 km! It also lets you see the size of the Grand-Hornu site. On our return, we go along the imposing Louis Pierard Stadium, erected in 1946. Return to the centre of Quaregnon where we delight in taking in a small Craquegnon (cheese).

01 h 30 m

easy

Longueur du parcours: 7.29 km

Mons, Historical Heart

Beautiful Mons is at its most beautiful when you tackle it by bike! When you go by bike through the large archway to enter the town hall courtyard, you feel immediately that this ride will be marked by a beautiful discovery. At every street corner, at every turn, Mons the city of art and history will unfold before you. The path joins the Grand Place and goes down rue de Nimy; by bike, you soon realise that the city was built on a promontory. Along the route, the streets seem to flit around its lighthouse (belfry). A little after having followed the Théâtre le Manège, you enter the intimacy of the city as you ride across Jardin Gustave Jacobs. At the exit alongside ruelle Rachot there is a completely different atmosphere: this is Mons. And seeing the children playing in the street immerses you in the photographic imagery of a certain Doisneau. From Place de la Grande Pêcherie to Place du Parc to Square Rossevelt, Mons is also clearly green. By cycling, the city will have bewitched you…

01 h 30 m

medium

Longueur du parcours: 6.95 km

Blaugies, between two worlds

A route that runs between fields and woods, to the discovery of a lovely valley and an industrial heritage. Far from the stereotypes, the Borinage is a green country. Blaugies is a village that lives with the rhythm of hay-making. We move along the country paths, towards the Saint-Ghislain woods which from the 19th century had been the border between two worlds, less than a kilometre apart. On the hand, that of small-scale farmers, on the other, the mine. We are aware of it treading through the woods, here on clay soil, there on coal dust... In the woods, the stream plunges us into a wild world – we even surprise a deer. And yet, going up the path, on the right are found the ruins of the Sauwartan mine, witness of an era when dust, pollution and noise invaded the woods. So things justly return – near the ruins, daffodils appear in season. The black of Borinage is no more...

02 h 30 m

medium

Longueur du parcours: 7.28 km

Mons, UNESCO Route

Leave Mons to discover remarkable sites marked as UNESCO world heritage sites. Cycling is a wonderful machine for going back in time! It allows you to reach and gently discover places steeped in a moving history, at your own pace. This mild morning in Mons, there’s a great atmosphere. You’re far from the Borinage stereotypes: the city has changed and it shows in its urban development and its plethora of museums. From the Grand Place, your bike will take you to the belfry and Mundaneum in a few pedal strokes. Continue to discover this heritage along the RAVeL towards the Grand Hornu. On approach to the site, you will enter another world, as if you’d opened some scenery doors built for the glory of capitalism. The Grand Hornu is isolated from the world on purpose. Everything has been thought up and designed for productivity. You can feel the historical significance of these places, as if cycling allowed you to immerse yourself, to take the time to observe and feel these places...

03 h 00 m

medium

Longueur du parcours: 26.84 km

Hensies & Quiévrain - Wetlands

This ride crosses the countryside of Hensies and Quiévrain, characterised by swamps and wetlands. Hensies is bathed in the sweetness of a budding spring. On this sun-bathed route, the first kilometres are an opportunity to stretch your legs since the path is not particularly difficult. In the plain of Quiévrain, paths and small roads travel between wetlands. On the map, the small roads weave a giant spider's web here as reparcelling has facilitated access to fields and helped create these unpaved roads, which are perfect for bike touring! The nearby marshes of Harchies have left a number of wetlands in the landscape. The road is quiet, pleasant and free of any traffic as you approach the urbanized area of Boussu. Splendor and radiance characterise its castle, which was born in Charles V’s time. From the town centre, the RAVeL reaches into the past with the old coal mines of Dour and reaches into the future as it runs along a wind turbine field. In less than a century, a fossil fuel will have been replaced by wind fuel…

02 h 50 m

easy

Longueur du parcours: 30.65 km

Ouvrir les Murs - Circuit Gare

Dans ce deuxième parcours "Ouvrir les murs", nous mettrons en évidence les aspects liés à la présence militaire, aux équipements collectifs, à la gare et à la liaison gare-Grand-Place. Un autre circuit est consacré à l’habitat, à la rivière, l’eau potable et l’hygiène, et à l’espace du boulevard." Ce parcours a été mis au point par l’équipe de Sauvegarde et Avenir de Mons et d’Ouvrir les Murs, en liaison avec l’exposition de l’été 2015 et le livre : Mons 1865-2015, Ouvrir les Murs (édition Mardaga). Les rues du centre ville de Mons sont sinueuses, souvent étroites. Mons a en effet gardé en grande partie sa structure médiévale. Cette structure tranche avec celle des voiries proches des boulevards, larges et de structure rigoureuse, qui furent construites après le démantèlement en 1861-1865 des fortifications dites « hollandaises ». Dans ce deuxième parcours, nous mettrons en évidence les aspects liés à la présence militaire, aux équipements collectifs, à la gare et à la liaison gare-Grand-Place. Un autre circuit est consacré à l’habitat, à la rivière, l’eau potable et l’hygiène, et à l’espace du boulevard. Jusqu’en 1865, Mons, ville fortifiée, est restée enfermée dans des fortifications successives (françaises, autrichiennes, hollandaises...). De 1861 à 1865, le démantèlement des fortifications va offrir à la ville une vaste superficie pour son développement. Ce développement était souhaité depuis longtemps, et préparé dès le milieu du 19e s.. Ce parcours va vous faire percevoir l’importance de la présence militaire dans la ville au 19e s., la contrainte de la présence des équipements collectifs dans une ville où l’habitat est aussi dense, et les problématiques liées à l’arrivée du chemin de fer. La création d’un nouveau pôle économique, les questions liées au lien entre la Gare et la Grand-Place, et le problème de la création d’un nouveau mur pour la ville, celui des voies de chemin de fer sont aussi abordés. Nous verrons comment la Ville a abordé ces problèmes et comment aujourd’hui encore, certains de ces problèmes cherchent encore des solutions. Nous passerons d’abord par le Marché-aux-Herbes, centre d’activité économique très important, rejoindrons la Croix-Place pour voir l’ampleur de la caserne Major Sabbe (ex- Guillaume), le quartier de la Grande Pêcherie, puis toute la zone de la ville qui était occupée par l’armée et par les hospices. Nous rejoindrons l’ancien tracé de la rivière Trouille, puis le quartier de la gare, où nous verrons l’importance économique de ce quartier depuis l’arrivée du chemin de fer. Nous reviendrons vers la Grand-Place en passant au pied du Beffroi, où se trouvaient l’Asile et la prison.

02 h 00 m

medium

Longueur du parcours: 2.58 km

Moneuse route: miller’s son - Quiévrain

This route takes you in the footsteps of Antoine-Joseph Moneuse, the famous bandit and Captain of the Chauffeurs du Nord. You’ll go back to the figure’s origins, from his childhood in Saint-Vaast up to his arrival in our region. This will also be an opportunity to talk about the mills. Indeed, himself a miller’s son, Moneuse lived at a time when mills dotted our rural landscapes. Along the way, you’ll find some remnants of them but others have unfortunately completely disappeared. So you’ll sometimes have to close your eyes and use your imagination. Have a good walk and watch out... bandits are about. Route created and put together by Hauts Pays natural park Illustrations Claude Renard

01 h 30 m

medium
45 m

medium

Longueur du parcours: 5.9 km