Route

Mundaneum :

The Mundaneum, an archive and documentation centre for Belgium's French-Speaking Community, houses a collection of documents on every possible subject and from all periods. It is the successor to the Office International de Bibliographie created in 1895 by Paul Otlet and Henri La Fontaine, two idealistic young Belgian lawyers whose goals was to bring together all the world's knowledge and classify it according to their own Universal Decimal System (UDS).

The Mundaneum contains a collection of posters, postcards and journals (100,000 publications), as well as collection on anarchy, feminism, and peace.

Rue de Nimy, 76- 7000 MONS

+32 (0)65 31 53 43

www.mundaneum.be

Home of Van Gogh (Maison Van Gogh) :

Vincent Van Gogh showed that the Borinage was as picturesque as Old Venice, Arabia, and Britanny. The house in Cuesmes, where he lived from 1879 until October 1880, was saved from ruin in the 1970s and is now open to the public. It can be considered as one of the vital landmarks on Europe’s Van Gogh trail. This is the house where he became a painter!

Rue du Pavillon, 3 at 7033 Cuesmes

+32 (0)65/35 56 11

François Duesberg Museum (Musée François Duesberg) :

Opposite the Collegiate Church of St. Waudru, in the old premises of the Banque Nationale de Belgique, you will find a museum of decorative arts (1775-1825) with not only a prestigious collection of clocks with exotic subjects (1795-1815), the only one of its kind in the world, but also outstanding French gilded bronzes, porcelain, china, gold and silverware, engravings, bindings, and very rare objects. The Musée François Duesberg is undeniably one of the jewels in the crown of Mons tourism. Proof of this lies in the fact that, along with the Collegiate Church of St. Waudru, it is the only attraction to have two stars in the prestigious Michelin Guide, the benchmark.

Square Franklin Roosevelt,12 at 7000 Mons

+32 (0)65 36 31 64 

Collegiate Church of Sainte-Waudru (Collégiale Sainte-Waudru) :

The Collegiate Church is dedicated to St. Waudru, in honour of this woman who lived in the 7th century, and founded, at the place known as Castrilocus, a small monastery which is believed by the people of Mons to have been the origin of their town.

The present-day 15th century collegiate church succeeded other churches which had stood here from the 7th century onward, when the first hermitage was founded by St. Waudru.
Building started in 1450, following plans by architects from Mons and Louvain, and lasted 139 years! All this time the main contractors and subsequent architects followed the 15th century plan and decoration without trying to add their own personal touches or adapt the church to the tastes of the day, which has resulted in its having a remarkable unity of form.

In the old chapterhouse, you can see a collection of relics (7th century) of St. Waudru (including a ring, and a clasp known as the "Benoite Affique" which are said to have belonged to her), manuscripts, gold and silverware from the 12th to the 19th centuries, outstanding statues  in alabaster by Jacques Du Broeucq (the greatest Renaissance artist north of the Loire) and priestly ornaments, not forgetting the famous Car d'Or (Golden Chariot).

Rue du Chapitre, 2 - 7000 Mons +32(0)65.33 73 75

www.waudru.be

La Maison Folie :

Architects : Atelier d’Architecture Matador (Mons-Bruxelles, B.)

The Maison Folie in Mons, like the Tokyo Palace, the Espace Lu in Nantes, and the Condition Publique in Roubaix, isn’t concerned with appearances, only about being closer to the people who live there. Invited to redefine the hospitality and access areas of the existing theatre auditorium, Matador, the architects, were able to reallocate the whole of the usable area. Leaving the auditorium in its initial condition, Matador, using a “derelict” style of architecture, brought to light all the originality of the “Espace des Possibles” and the “Margin’Halle”, these two forming, with the central courtyard, the Maison Folie de Mons. In brief, the Maison Folie is a laboratory - a place for experimenting, where new relations are forged between art and society, where the artist is at the heart of society and the citizens are at the heart of the artistic process.

Rue des Arbalestriers, 2 - 7000 Mons

+32 (0)65.39 59 12

www.maisonfoliemons.be

© Rino Noviello

Le manège.mons :

Architects : Atelier d’Architecture Pierre Hebbelinck (Liège, B.)

Le manège.mons groups together several artistic structures with a cross-border dimension. The theatre is sited in what was once a small riding school dating back to the early 20th century, located in a fully redeveloped block. This was a special constraint which the Pierre Hebbelinck architectural practice used by designing a free room, inserted like a cursor in the old building. The strong presence of the architectural work gives the place of creation immediate legibility.

Rue des Passages, 1 - 7000 Mons. +32 (0)65 39 98 00

www.lemanege.com

© Marie-Noëlle Dailly

The Abattoirs (Les Abattoirs) :

Architects : Atelier d’Architecture Matador (Mons-Bruxelles, B.), Filip Roland archiscénographe (Brussels, B.)

This complex consists of the Grande Halle, designed for temporary exhibitions and events; the Etable, seat of the World Crafts Council for French-speaking Belgium; and the Frigo, which brings together a café and a multi-purpose space dedicated to sound and image. The interior refurbishment headed by Matador and architectural designer Filip Roland give the initial spaces great legibility, a spatiality evidenced by the great purity of the architectural work.

 Place de la Grande Pêcherie - 7000 Mons

+32 (0)65/40 53 03

www.mons.be

The Arts Square (Le Carré des Arts) :

During the period of Dutch rule, Mons had a modern barracks (Caserne Guillaume, built in 1824-1827). This was the quarters of the light infantry, known as "Major Sabbe" after the First World War, and remained in use until the Second World War. It then became home to the Jean d’Avesnes Secondary School. Since 1995, it has been used as an art college. The community television company, Télé Mons Borinage, has also set up its headquarters there (in 2000). Every year, during the first fortnight of July, the Festival au Carré is held here; this is a cultural event focusing on creation in the performing arts. The Carré des Arts also houses the administrative offices of the manège.mons.

Rue des Sœurs-Noires, 4A
7000 Mons

BAM - Mons Fine Arts Museum (Beaux-Arts Mons) :

Architects : Christian Menu, Architect (Paris, F.)

This resolutely modern architectural project combines function and balance, while emphasising transparency. This Paris architect has designed a window opening onto the world of art, beauty, and creation. His chosen medium for this purpose is a lightweight metal structure using a minimum of concrete.
The new layout of the halls enables the new museum to house prestigious works, while complying with European safety standards. The vital idea is thus transparency.

 Rue Neuve, 8 - 7000 Mons

+32 (0)65 / 40 53 24

www.mons.be

Mons Station :

Architects : Santiago Calatrava (Valencia, Esp.)

The main aims of the new station project are to facilitate access to the platforms from the square and the car parks, to optimize the accessibility of the station and the interchange, and to link the historic centre of Mons with the development of a new town on the Grands-Prés site.

This gateway Station will be the main element round which the platforms and the square will be symmetrically laid out.

It will play its part as a link between the old town and the new districts used for shops, housing, and new technologies.

Place Léopold, 2 -  7000 Mons

+32 (0)65. 58 22 06

www.sncb.be

The Mons 2015 Foundation (La Fondation Mons 2015) :

Architects : selection under way.

The old Académie des Beaux-arts building has become the nerve centre of the production and promotion of the City’s culture. This site will also play an emblematic part in welcoming the public and informing the press in the run-up to the « Mons 2015, European Capital of Culture »bid. Present in the memories of the residents for generations, there is all the more reason for this building to be the incarnation of our modern architecture.

rue de Nimy, 106 - 7000 Mons 

The Water Machine (La Machine à Eau) :

This superb glass and metal building on the banks of the Trouille was built in 1870-1871 according to the plans of architect Hubert and engineer Celi Moullan, when Mons acquired drinking water mains and the Trouille was diverted from the city to the outskirts. It contained impressive machinery – pumps, piping and ducts – designed to take the water from the valley level to the common reservoirs laid out in the castle square (the top of the hill). The water supplying Mons came from the “la Vallière” and “Trou-de-Souris” sources at Spiennes, the Trouille only being used to power the hydraulic motor.

Since then, the Water Machine (Machine à eau) has been restored (1990-1994). It will be home to exhibitions and  cultural events, and will house the dance company As Palavras, Cie Claudio Bernardo.

Boulevard Dolez  - 7000 Mons

+32 (0)65 40 53 03

www.mons.be

Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville) :

The Gothic town hall – the ‘Hotel de Ville’ - of Mons was built between 1458 and 1477. A true gem in the heritage of Hainaut, it is single-storied and distinguished by a bell-tower added in 1717-1718.

The Hôtel de Ville has several rooms and salons with a recognised heritage value: the ‘Salle des Mariages’ with its Italian-style ceiling (1682) and its ‘historic’ fresco reminiscent of the Doudou (Gérard Garouste - 2000); the ‘Salle des Commissions’ with its Rance marble mantelpiece and its ‘Teniers’ tapestries (1707); the ‘Salle des Sacquiaux’ with its imposing 16th century fireplace. On the first floor, the ‘Salon des Portraits’ and the ‘Grands Salons’ are also worth taking a look at. The Panelled, Gothic, Umbrella and State Grands Salons have now been refurnished in period. In the other wing of the building, the Burgomaster’s ceremonial office ‘Cabinet d’Apparat’ is one of the oldest parts of the building (15th century). When leaving the site, don’t miss the contemporary sculpture by Gérard Garouste (2006). Incorporated in the outer steps of the Salle des Sacquiaux, it symbolises the fight of St. George and the Dragon which, on Trinity Sunday, is staged for the traditional Doudou festival.

The Hôtel de Ville can be visited with an official guide, by appointment only. The Tourist Office can help you with this.
Grand-Place, 22
7000 Mons
Tel.: + 32 (0) 65/33.55.80.

The Belfry (Le Beffroi) :

A unique monument 87 metres high, the Mons Belfrey has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1999. The symbol of the City, it was built from 1661 to 1669 by architects Ledoux (1661-67) and Anthony (1667-69). A watchtower which was also a symbol of wealth, it has given rise to many reactions. Victor Hugo likened it (1837) to “an enormous coffee pot flanked by four smaller teapots”. Now it is the only baroque belfry in Belgium and a source of pride for the City. The focus of all eyes, it has been undergoing renovation for more than 20 years, but it should be accessible in a few years’ time…

Near the castle gardens, the ‘Parc du Château’, are ruins of the ancient ‘Château Comtal’, which are accessible to walkers.

The Castle Square
7000 MONS

Mons Theatre Royal (Théâtre Royal de Mons) :

The " Grand Théâtre ", built to plans by Sury, the City architect, had its official opening on 18 October 1843. The style is neo-classical with a sculpted pediment and columns. The doors are of cast iron, decorated with medallions representing Molière, Racine, Roland de Lassus, and Grétry. Initially shunned by the public, it subsequently became a success. The whole great lyrical repertoire triumphed here, and the great French actors played the classics here. In 1938, the ageing, worn facilities could no longer be guaranteed safe. The Grand Théâtre auditorium was demolished and completely rebuilt by architects Govaerts and Van Varenberg, and officially opened on 4 October 1948. 

In 1997, the theatre was once again closed for many months for works, which eventually provided audiences with greater comfort and better acoustic quality.

After the renewal of the façade, which was once again covered by a light coating, the Théâtre made a new entrance in 2005. In practice, the entrance hall was totally refurbished and modernized, in particular by getting rid of the old-fashioned glazed doors. The ticket office was enlarged. A ramp enables the disabled to access the auditorium. A decorative curtain runs from the entrance to the bar, which has also been enlarged. Overall, there is now more space for the public, all within a more contemporary, more efficient environment. The reopening evening was on 8 February 2006, the programme including a classical concert by the Salzburg Chamber Soloists.

World Crafts Council :

The World Crafts Council – Belgique Francophone, asbl (WCC-BF) is a professional association promoting the applied arts and craft design, the Belgian branch of an international network recognised by UNESCO.

It holds exhibitions, conferences, and post-academic training, as well as providing legal advice specific to the applied arts. It also participates, with its members, in fairs and exhibitions abroad.

Its flagship events are the European Contemporary Jewellery Triennial and the European Ceramics and Glass Triennial.

The WCC-Bf takes a particular interest in promoting its young designers. In this context, it organises the
Prix Tremplin for the year’s young graduates of the French-speaking community's art colleges. Winners are awarded a scholarship to contribute to the development of their future careers.

The Anciens Abbatoirs (Old Abattoirs) Site
Rue de la Trouille, 17/02- 7000 Mons
+32 (0)65/84 64 67
wccbf@wcc-bf.org
www.wcc-bf.org

tourist information office :

Grand Place, 22 - B-7000 Mons - Belgique
Tél : +32(0)65/33.55.80 - +32(0)65/35.34.88
Fax : +32 (0)65/35.63.36