Routes (48)

Honnelles - In the Footsteps of a Poet

The poet Emile Verhaeren liked relaxing in the Hauts-Pays, a bucolic land which is very pleasant for walking or cycling. To the southwest of Mons is a rural area that opens its heart to whoever cycles across it: welcome to the Hauts-Pays! The gentle terrain and peacefulness of this sparsely populated region bring serenity. Departure in Audregnies and its beautiful square where the road joins the RAVeL, which is interrupted shortly after Onnezies. Here a more forested track begins, towards Caillou-qui-Bique. In summer, the path causes little problems but in winter the often muddy roads is a challenge to cyclists. Just after the Emile Verhaeren space, beautiful villages dot the route. Roisin, Meaurain and Autreppe are all names that sing of the Hauts-Pays, a little-known region but one with some magnificent romantic landscapes. From Montignies¬sur-Roc, the narrow road joins the castle and the pond which are in harmony with the landscape. You will comb through groves and meadows, an idyllic picture of a country landscape where all is harmony and tranquility: an atmosphere that Verhaeren has so well described.

02 h 20 m

medium

Longueur du parcours: 20.83 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

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

The kilometre of culture

Modern architecture is at the heart of the Mons 2015 project and constitutes one of its main themes. The integration of architecture into a historic city is a daily challenge that we will always have to face. Discover the kilometre of culture!

01 h 00 m

easy

Longueur du parcours: 1.65 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

From Meaurain to Givry, the flavours route

Discover the drive in the Hauts-Pays Natural Park, assuredly a land of plenty! Meaurain is one of these charming villages of the Hauts-Pays. The closed storefronts of former shops witness to the activity that once prevailed there – trade and contraband were the region’s misfortune and fortune… From the village, the route takes us across the gentle treed countryside with hedges and fruit trees here and there. From Angreau to Givry the route continues, with exciting discoveries and very rich human encounters. The artisans of this route are true ambassadors of this captivating country.

04 h 00 m

medium

Longueur du parcours: 35.61 km

Moneuse route: attack of the Populaire farm in Frameries

This route takes you in the footsteps of Antoine-Joseph Moneuse, the famous bandit and Captain of the Chauffeurs du Nord. Here we will focus on the attack on the Populaire farm in Wasmes. On 3 December 1795, this farm was the target of a gang of bandits in search of wealth. Follow in the footsteps of this terrible episode in Moneuse’s tumultuous life along this route, which takes you through the towns of Colfontaine and Frameries. During this walk, you’ll have the opportunity to go through the state-owned forest of Colfontaine and the village of Eugies, including “La Belle Maison” which is a known point of reference for the bandits. Have a good walk and watch out ... bandits are about. Route created and put together by Hauts Pays natural park Illustrations Claude Renard

02 h 00 m

medium
01 h 00 m

medium

Longueur du parcours: 6.69 km

Quaregnon route

As you explore the Borinage, Quaregnon will undoubtedly leave an indelible impression on you, so rich is the city’s history. Marked profoundly by its industrial history and mining operations, it still retains traces of its past activities. Its hiking trails over slag heaps, its town hall, its cultural events and its local produce are of course included in that. Quaregnon will amaze you with its diversity!

02 h 00 m

medium

Longueur du parcours: 17.84 km

Frameries, land of memories

Magnificent route through the mining countryside of Borinage, today become green and very nice. Soon after leaving the PASS, we come into a land steeped in history. In the 19th century, Borinage experienced its incredible Industrial Revolution. In 23 mines and 63 shafts, 20,000 workers laboured in difficult conditions. Seeing the remains on the road, such as this slag heap of Belle Couple, our imagination lets use delve in this other time. Further on, the trail meanders around a birch grove, covering a former colliery. At the edge, fields and meadows lead us towards little houses that seem crushed by the mass of the Héribus slag heap. On the slope, butterflies and birds circle around us. Today, the slag heaps are havens of peace for wild fauna and flora. Nature has provided a sweet revenge for the work of men...

05 h 00 m

hard

Longueur du parcours: 16.22 km

In the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh in the Borinage

From the “Maison du Marais” in Cuesmes to the former “Marcasse” coalmine in Colfontaine, explore Mons-Borinage and the sites visited by Van Gogh during his time in the region.

03 h 00 m

hard

Longueur du parcours: 48.57 km

Cycle route: Mons – SILEX'S – Mons

This route designed by ProVélo and Mons’ Maison des Cyclistes cycling centre connects Mons’ Grand-Place to SILEX’S, the interpretation centre of the archaeological site of the Neolithic Mines of Spiennes, which are UNESCO classified. An exceptional site where going down a mine is the highlight of a trip (advance bookings is required, on +3265335580). The outward trip between Mons and SILEX’S is as direct as possible; the return offers you a slight detour through the low-traffic roads of villages in the immediate vicinity of Mons. A route designed by not-for-profit organisation PRO VÉLO Maison des Cyclistes du Hainaut (bike point) in Mons. Source: http://www.provelo.org/fr/tour/idees-balades/minieres-neolithiques-spiennes

02 h 00 m

medium

Longueur du parcours: 17.89 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

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

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

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

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

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

Parcours-découverte de Saint-Symphorien

Venez découvrir le village dans ses coins les plus inattendus

02 h 00 m

easy

Longueur du parcours: 6.42 km

Circuit des aubépines

Un circuit thématique balisé avec 8 panneaux didactiques pour comprendre la nature.

01 h 00 m

easy

Longueur du parcours: 1.78 km

Jurbise route

Jurbise and its villages make up a rural entity which oozes charm. By walking on foot or by bike, you’ll discover its wonderful heritage. This includes excellently maintained castles, chapels and farms, as well as more impressive locations such as the old Locquet fountain or Herchies’ Chêne à clous (nailed oak tree)!

03 h 30 m

medium
02 h 00 m

medium

Longueur du parcours: 21.52 km