The best traffic-free bike rides around Estaimpuis

Super nice when there are no others to be seen. And doubly pleasant when you have the wind at your back.

The belfry of Tournai is the oldest in Belgium (12th century). The building, which is part of UNESCO World Heritage, is 72 meters high and dominates the Grand-Place. During the ascent of the tower with its 257 steps, one discovers various didactic exhibitions, the prison, the carillonneur's room, and finally the bells which ring every Sunday during the summer (around 3:30 PM). The belfry of Tournai, built in 1192, symbolizes municipal freedoms. Its bell (the “Bancloque”) was used to warn the population of trials, executions, invasions, fires, etc. The belfry served as a watchtower, prison, bell tower, and town hall. You have access to the first terrace, which offers a breathtaking view of Tournai and its surroundings. source: visitwapi.be

The neo-Gothic St. Anthony the Hermit Church (with an integrated Gothic west tower) in Pottes was built in 1912-1913 to a design by P. Clerbaux. It replaced the late 18th-century church that burned down completely on July 17, 1911. That church also had a predecessor, built in 1432 and demolished in 1777. The patron saint, St. Anthony the Hermit or St. Anthony of Egypt (Heracleopolis Magna, Egypt, 251 – Colzimberg, Egypt, 356) was a Christian saint known as the father of monasticism. Source: Wikipedia

This is truly a very special place: the ruins of the Sint-Amelberga Church in Bossuit, transformed into a publicly accessible work of art. It was the British artist Ellen Harvey, living in New York, who designed this work, entitled "Repeat." The art church is a new meeting place for residents and visitors, preserving the sacred and ritual significance of the church site. The church in Bossuit has existed since the 10th century, originally as a two-aisled Romanesque church. In the 19th century, architect Pierre Nicolas Croquison drew up the plans for the new three-aisled hall church in the Neo-Gothic style. Construction began in 1857, and the church was officially consecrated nine years later. The church was partially destroyed during the First World War and then rebuilt. When the Sint-Amelberga Church was declared dilapidated in 2007, the municipal council of Avelgem began searching for a new purpose. They viewed the church not as a standalone building, but as part of a larger whole: the village of Bossuit. In the village plan for its development into an attractive and livable village, the church had to maintain its key role in the village life. The official opening of the artwork 'Repeat' took place on July 13, 2014. The art church is open daily and admission is free. The art church can be used as a venue for events. Source: information board on site

The Mauroy Bridge is one of three movable bridges spanning the canal at Saint-Léger. Each bridge had a bridge keeper's house, where the bridge keeper lived, responsible for opening and closing the bridge each time a ship passed. These houses were often also cafés... or still are, as here. Just beyond the bridge, the old Mauroy farm bordered an imposing castle, the Mauroy Castle, designed by Sanderus in 1644. In 1504, the castle and the Mauroy estate belonged to Arnould de Maulde, a lord of the manor. Source: brochure "Promenade Saint-Léger"

This original, enormous artwork consists of a table and 10 robinia wood chairs. These pieces of furniture enhance the illusion of oversized space and transport the viewer back to childhood. It's one of the artistic works you can discover along the Arty trail, which runs between Roubaix (FR) and Tournai (BE) along the Roubaix and Scheldt Canal (www.parcoursarty.com).

This original, enormous artwork consists of a table and 10 robinia wood chairs. These pieces of furniture enhance the illusion of oversized space and transport the viewer back to childhood. It's one of the artistic works you can discover along the Arty trail, which runs between Roubaix (FR) and Tournai (BE) along the Roubaix and Scheldt Canal (www.parcoursarty.com).

The church's Gothic west tower dates from 1432 and is built of Tournai stone. The church building was demolished in 1777, after which a larger church was built. On July 17, 1911, a fire broke out in this church, prompting the construction of a new church in 1912-1913, designed by P. Clerbaux. It is a neo-Gothic brick structure, a basilica cruciform church with an integrated west tower in Gothic style.