Art and culture CHARLEROI : the most beautiful buildings

Exploring the Artistic Heritage

Town Hall - Hall of Honour

Town Hall - facades and colonnades

Passage de la bourse

Town Hall - main facade

The golden house

Exhibition Center

Palace of Fine Arts

Culture House - Eden

The dermine house

Rich architectural heritage

Charleroi is a city with a rich architectural heritage, including numerous buildings in the Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Modernist and Neoclassical style.


Here are some of the most notable buildings in CHARLEROI:

Hôtel de Ville (City Hall): The City Hall of CHARLEROI is a splendid example of architecture combining Classicism and Art Deco. Built in the 1930s, it features bold geometric shapes and intricate decorative details. The tower of the building is particularly striking, with its angular lines and brightly colored tiling.
Maison Dorée (Golden House): Located at the corner of Tumelaire Street and Defontaine Boulevard, built in 1899 by the architect Alfred Frère (1851-1918) to serve as his residence and architectural firm, it is the first Art Nouveau architectural work in Charleroi. Acquired in 1906 by the children of the glass industrialist Adolphe Chausteur and his wife Hortense Quinet, and then owned by Dr. Léon Lempereur in 1952, it became a restaurant in 1993, the year of its classification, before being purchased by the City of Charleroi in 1999. It currently serves as the headquarters for the Press Association.

Palais des Expositions (Exhibition Palace): The Palais des Expositions of Charleroi was built in 1953. It was designed in an eclectic architectural style, incorporating elements of Art Nouveau as well as other influences of the era. The architect responsible for its design was Joseph André, known for several other notable achievements in the region. The building stands out for its imposing architecture and decorative features, reflecting the architectural trends of the time, including elaborate ornamentation and structural grandeur. It was designed to host exhibitions, trade fairs, and various cultural events, attesting to its significance as a central venue for the eventful and cultural life of Charleroi at that time.

Palais des Beaux-Arts (Fine Arts Palace): This cultural center, built in the 1957, features a stunning Art Deco façade with bold geometric shapes and intricate decorative details. The building houses a variety of cultural institutions, including a museum, a library, and a theater.

Maison de la Culture - Eden (House of Culture): The Maison de la Culture - Eden in Charleroi was built in 1884 in a modernist architectural style. This style is characterized by clean lines, simple geometric forms, and clearly defined functionality. The structure emphasizes the efficient use of space and an aesthetic that reflects the modernity of the era. The building was designed to serve as a versatile cultural center, offering spaces suitable for a variety of artistic and cultural events such as shows, exhibitions, concerts, and theater performances. The Maison de la Culture - Eden has continued to play a vital role in promoting the cultural and artistic life of the Charleroi region, attesting to the importance of culture and the arts in the local community.

Passage de la Bourse : The Passage de la Bourse is a covered shopping gallery nestled in the heart of the city of Charleroi. Its location is in a block of the Lower City, bordered by Rue de Marchienne to the north, Rue Puissant d'Agimont to the east, Rue de Charleville to the south, and Rue du Collège to the west. Constructed in the late 19th century by the architect Edmond Legraive, the passage combines influences of Flemish neo-Renaissance for the exterior structures, while the interior facades of the gallery reflect a neoclassical style.

Maison Dermine: The Maison Dermine, built in 1921 in Charleroi is a beautiful example of Art Deco architecture. Its dynamic facade features animal and plant motifs, as well as an entrance adorned with a sculpted owl. Despite the later addition of a garage door, the building retains its original character. The facade decorations are the work of the artist Hector Brognon.

La maison Bailli : The Maison du Bailli in Charleroi, built in 1780, is a fine example of Louis XVI style architecture featuring brick and limestone. Located at 2-4 Rue Turenne, it was restored in 2003 and now houses the Espace Wallonie. The building, listed as a heritage site in 1989, showcases a central door adorned with a crown and garlands​.

Hôtel des Postes: The Hôtel des Postes in Charleroi, built between 1907 and 1911 in a Flemish neo-Renaissance style, is an iconic building featuring a 45-meter tower. Classified in 1992, it was restored and transformed in 1996 into a bookstore, now housing the Librairie Molière.

La caserne Caporal Trésignies: The Caporal Trésignies Barracks, built between 1877 and 1882 in Charleroi, is a neo-Gothic building honoring World War I hero Léon Trésignies. After the military left in 1976, the barracks were repurposed into a center for economic and cultural activities, including the Museum of the Chasseurs à Pied.

In conclusion, CHARLEROI has a rich heritage with numerous buildings that showcase bold geometric forms, vibrant colors, and luxurious materials. These buildings are an integral part of the city's architectural identity and testify to its rich cultural history.bold geometric shapes, bright colors, and luxurious materials. These buildings are an important part of the city's architectural identity, and a testament to its rich cultural history.