The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Mouscron

On April 22, 1944, the "Liberator K fort King", an American B-24 bomber, crashed here. Before that, the crew had managed to save themselves by parachute. Some were helped by the local resistance.

Tradition has it that the first church was built here around 650, consecrated by Saint Eloi himself. The first church in Helkijn was supposedly served by the monks of St. Martin's Abbey in Tournai. The patronage of the parish church belonged to the Bishop of Tournai, who was also the feudal lord and partial owner of the Lordship of Helkijn. The oldest verifiable church building dates from 1200. Archaeologists discovered the remains of a single-nave Romanesque structure made of Tournai stone in the substructure of the current St. John's Church. Due to its strategic location on the border between the County of Flanders and the French-aligned Tournai, Helkijn repeatedly played an important military role. Consequently, the church was destroyed many times. During the Nine Years' War between France and Austria (1688-1697), the church treasures were plundered, and in 1694, French troops burned the building to the ground. Thanks to a special subsidy from the Sun King (Louis XIV), likely due to the warm welcome he received at La Folie (see Maes farm), the church's reconstruction was completed in 1705. The brick bell tower was added to the complex in 1716. During the French Revolution, the church was closed and its contents sold at public auction. The church was destroyed again during the First World War. In 1990, the interior was completely restored with the support of the municipality, the diocese, and the King Baudouin Foundation. The interior is now the result of a compromise between contemporary elements, differentiated white walls, a soft blue choir canopy, and original 18th-century Baroque style. Church Treasures: A remarkable silver dish made in Bruges at the end of the 17th century; a stylish silver ceremonial staff, topped with a silver statuette depicting Saint John the Baptist. The patron saint of the church, Saint John the Baptist, is invoked against "vreze" (bad dreams) and is celebrated on June 24th. Source: www.spiere-helkijn.be

"The Ship Hunter" is a bluestone sculpture by Wilfried Gheysen and symbolizes the boat pullers or boat hunters (les satcheux) who towed boats along the towpath at the beginning of the last century. Near locks or waterway junctions (e.g., the Scheldt-Spiere Canal), skippers could hire a boat hunter who towed the boat on horseback or on foot. These were usually small farmers who lived nearby and were eager to earn some extra income. Source: spiere-helkijn.be

Until 1955, people used to swim here, but now it's a fascinating spot on your walking tour. You'll see the old pool with the original changing rooms and The Fisherman: a 10-meter-high sculpture by Tom Herck, previously displayed on the Grand Canal during the Venice Biennale. There's also a permanent outdoor exhibition. Eight artists were inspired by the former swimming pool and display their work on panels between the changing rooms, along with nostalgic archive photos. In the summer, relax at the summer bar and linger a little longer. Fun fact: in 1935, a water purification testing factory stood here. King Leopold III even visited. The project was canceled, and the pool closed in 1955, but it did receive protected monument status. Source: www.toerisme-leiestreek.be

The Spiere lock was built around 1920. It spans a height difference of two meters. The structure can accommodate six small vessels at once. Although the maximum tonnage is 1350, vessels up to 1800 tons can also be accommodated in exceptional circumstances. Source: www.spiere-helkijn.be

This chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary is built into the wall of a farmhouse, as if it were an entrance door to a shed.

Stationsstraat splits into two branches at the five-way point where the Kasteelhoeve and the old brewery are located: on the left, it continues as a single street, while on the right, it becomes a cobblestone path that turns into a dirt track. The road runs through the fields and along the Gaverbeek stream.

Mouscron celebrates its liberation every first Saturday in September, as stated on the information board on site. This liberation monument honors seven resistance heroes who lost their lives here during the liberation night of September 1-2, 1944.