Things To Do in Tournai

To get an idea of how Tournai looked in medieval times, take a stroll along rue Barre St-Brice on the north side of the Scheldt. Although you can't go inside, you can at least peruse the exteriors of some of the oldest private houses still in existence in Europe; nos. 10 and 12 date from 1175. Closer to the center of town, 13th-century Gothic houses line rue des Jésuites.

Pont des Trous (Bridge of Holes) on quai Sakharov is an appropriate name for this 13th-century bridge. It has taken its lumps from any number of battles and sieges since then -- most recently in 1944, when it was blown up. The bridge and its two anchoring towers once formed part of the city's defensive walls. Another military work, the 24m-high (80-ft.) Tour Henry VIII, on rue du Rempart, named for the notorious English king of the six-wives fame, dates from a period of English occupation from 1512 to 1518.

Sightseeing Tours -- From April until the end of August, a petit train touristique (little tourist train) is available to roll you through Tournai's cobblestone streets. It departs from the Grand-Place. A 50-minute ride is 3.50€ ($5.60) for adults, and 3€ ($4.80) for children 5 and under.

The Tournai from the River boat cruise on the Escaut lasts about an hour and departs from the dock at Pont des Trous from May to August Tuesday to Sunday at 11am, 2:30pm, and 4:15pm. Tickets are 9€ ($14) for adults, 6€ ($9.60) for children 3 to 10, and free for children 2 and under.