Attractions and Places To See around Bettignies - Top 20

The Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes constitute a vast flint extraction and knapping center covering around a hundred hectares. They were exploited for almost two millennia between 4350 and 2300 BC. They have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000. Find all the information here: minesdespiennes.org

The vineyard is located in Haulchin, between Binche and Mons, on the so-called “Les Agaises” bed on a hillside very rich in limestone and facing south, over which Lord Ruffus reigned in the 12th century. It was in 2002, at a time when Belgian viticulture was quite confidential, that the first two hectares of Chardonnay were planted on a unique terroir, that of “Terres Blanches”. The estate, the very first in Wallonia intended exclusively for the production of sparkling wines, a true spearhead of the wine revival in Belgium, has gradually expanded to reach more than 35 hectares today.

The museum from 2015, built on top of several prehistoric mine shafts (up to 15m deep), can be visited individually (€6/pp; free with MuseumPass). If you also want to descend into one of the mine shafts via ladder (only at 2 pm), you must book this at least one day in advance at the Bergen tourist office, info on the website. Cost: €8/pp on top of museum admission. But for this you get a detailed tour from the excellent guide (we had a perfectly trilingual FR-NL-EN!) First above ground through the museum and then underground. Attention: maximum group of 12 people and children under 10 years not allowed.

The Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes constitute a vast flint extraction and knapping center covering around a hundred hectares. They were exploited for nearly two millennia between 4350 and 2300 BC. They have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000. Find all the information here: https://www.minesdespiennes.org

The Moulin de Spiennes was the village's mill and was founded before 1626 to grind grain. In 1754, the Count of Berlaimont, Lord of Spiennes, owned the mill. He invoked the banality of this mill, basing himself on an act from 1526. According to the Land Registry Atlas PC Popp (ca. 1860), the "meal water mill" stood on plot section B no. 216 and was in the possession of De Glymes, Count Henri-Nicolas, owner, Harmignies. Later in the 19th century there were important changes: the building was raised higher (6 floors) and the water wheel was replaced by a turbine. There are currently apartments located in the fairly high building. https://www.molenechos.org/molen.php?number=637

The enormous size of the site (nearly 100 ha), its age and its archaeological richness have led to the Spiennes site being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in December 2000. This puts the Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes next to buildings such as the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal in India or the cemetery of Machu Picchu in Peru. So it is worth driving by! https://www.visitmons.nl/uitstap-naar-een-vuursteenmijn

THE LEVEAU FORT Fort Leveau is one of six forts (Sarts, Boussois, Cerfontaine, Bourdiau, Hautmont and Leveau) built on the outskirts of Maubeuge to protect the border. It was built between 1882 and 1884 according to the defense principles of General Séré de Rivières. Now owned by the town of Feignies, it is one of the last witnesses to the Battle of Maubeuge in August-September 1914. The Fort de Leveau museum is largely devoted to the First World War. From local history to a more global vision of the conflict, the daily life of the soldiers and the living conditions of the Poilus are presented from the first days of the war in the forts to the mud of the trenches. The Fort de Leveau Safeguarding Association ensures the safeguarding and enhancement of this fort. The dormant bridge, destroyed by a shell on September 7, 1914, was rebuilt with the support of the Agglomeration, 100 years later with respect for heritage. Association Safeguarding the Fort of Leveau B.P. 51068 FEIGNIES 59606 MAUBEUGE CEDEX Such. / Fax: +33(0)3 27 62 37 07 Email: contact@fortdeleveau.fr URL: http://fortdeleveau.fr/

Nice vineyard, you can taste the local sparkly wine Ruffus.