A day trip to Thuin, next door to Charleroi
Thuin, the town
of hanging gardens
What to see in Thuin
Perched on a rocky spur above the Sambre, south-west of Charleroi, Thuin is one of the easiest and most charming day trips in the region. A medieval upper town, cobbled lanes, terraced gardens and abbey ruins: half a day is enough to see it, a full day lets you really enjoy it. The belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage Site On Place du Chapitre, the highest point of the town, stands the Thuin Belfry. This stone tower from 1639, topped with slate spires, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the belfries of Belgium and France, including those of Charleroi, Binche, Mons and Tournai. It is open to visitors, and the view from the top takes in the whole Sambre valley. The tourist office is on the same square. The hanging gardens On the southern side of the upper town, nearly 200 terraced gardens step down towards the Biesmelle valley. Listed as exceptional heritage of Wallonia, they enjoy a microclimate that even allows a small production of sweet wine: the Clos des Zouaves. From Place du Chapitre, take the Rempart du Midi, then the Posty Bury, which runs through the gardens. The best viewpoint, with the belfry in the background, is at the end of the Chant des Oiseaux. A walk of about 3 km, with panels on the history of Thuin, loops around them. Aulne Abbey About 4 km from the centre, in Gozée, the ruins of Aulne Abbey are among the most photogenic sites in Wallonia. Founded in the 7th century and Cistercian from 1147, the abbey was destroyed in 1794. Large sections of the abbey church remain, slowly reclaimed by nature. The site is listed as major heritage of Wallonia. Below the abbey, you can rent small electric boats for a trip on the Sambre. The lower town and the boatmen Down by the Sambre, the lower town keeps the memory of the boatmen. Thuin has several museums, including the boatmen's museum, the tram museum and the printing museum. The flat towpath lets you walk to Lobbes station (about 3 km) or, for keen walkers, to Landelies station (about 11 km) via Aulne Abbey. The Saint Roch march Every year in May, Thuin celebrates its Saint Roch march. It is one of the marches of Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse inscribed by UNESCO in 2012 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Companies in uniform, including the zouaves, parade through the whole town. Good to know The upper town and the hanging gardens have plenty of slopes and steps, so wear good shoes. Spring and early autumn are the best seasons for the gardens. In summer, the tourist office runs themed guided walks. For the belfry's opening hours, check the Thuin tourist office website. And to stay nearby, our rentals in Charleroi make an ideal base.
Frequently asked questions
Visiting Thuin
What can you see in Thuin in one day?
Start with the belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then walk down through the hanging gardens, nearly 200 terraced gardens listed as exceptional heritage of Wallonia. Finish with the lower town on the Sambre and the ruins of Aulne Abbey, about 4 km away.
Is the Thuin Belfry a UNESCO site?
Yes. Built in 1639, the Thuin Belfry is one of the belfries of Belgium and France on the UNESCO World Heritage List, like those of Charleroi, Binche, Mons and Tournai. It is open to visitors.
Where is Aulne Abbey?
Aulne Abbey is in Gozée, part of the municipality of Thuin, on the Sambre, about 4 km from the centre of Thuin and around twenty minutes from Charleroi. Its ruins are listed as major heritage of Wallonia.
When is the best time to visit the hanging gardens of Thuin?
Spring and early autumn are the best times. The walk of about 3 km from Place du Chapitre is free to access.
Photo credits, via Wikimedia Commons (photos cropped): Jmh2o (CC BY 4.0); Trougnouf – Benoit Brummer (CC BY 4.0); Nenea hartia (CC BY-SA 4.0); Jean-Pol Grandmont (CC BY 2.5); Marc Ryckaert (CC BY-SA 4.0).