The Thuin Belfry

This bell tower, which can be seen from far away, is the symbol of Thuin. Three reasons to visit it: the panoramic view is breathtaking, the tower is a vestige of the city and the restoration is state of the art.

An essential symbol of Thuin

This square tower overlooks the Sambre and Bieselle valley. It looks even more imposing because it was built on the high ground in Thuin, a fortified city on a rocky outcropping. The belfry measures over sixty metres and stands out from the other buildings.

In fact, the belfry is the only vestige that remains from a collegiate church that was razed to the ground in 1811. The idea that the mayor at the time had when he destroyed it was to convert it into ‘a place to dance’. The bell tower was then converted into a municipal tower. It survived many attacks through the years, in particular during World War I.

Just standing beneath the belfry gives you a better understanding of the region’s history. This imposing tower is certainly impressive.

A remnant of Wallonia’s unique heritage

You enter the belfry through the entrance of the tourism office. After going up an initial flight of stairs, you find a film from 2004 that presents the restoration of the building. Explanatory panels help you to understand the history of this site.

Once the presentation is done, you set off for the summit. Count more than 190 steps to reach the top. Be careful if you’re afraid of heights – the climb can take you by surprise. Some flights of stairs are quite steep.

Once you reach the top, you discover the view. Choose one of the four skylights, each of which corresponds to one of the four façades, from which to admire the region. The panorama is quite exceptional. Due to safety measures, however, the windows are closed, which can sometimes make it hard to take pictures.

A UNESCO-listed belfry

At the top, you can also appreciate the carillon of 25 bells, which has recently been renovated. The work has made it possible to automate the mechanism, allowing the people of Thuin to enjoy the sound of the bells every thirty minutes. While you’re at the top, take a moment to check out the mechanism and get a front-row seat to the concert of bells.

A quick game: find the two largest bells, which have been affectionately nicknamed Maria and Paula.

This belfry is one of the 56 belfries in Belgium and France that has been listed by UNESCO as an exceptional architectural site and a symbol of the independence of cities and municipalities in a feudal regime.

Many routes for discovering the city leave from the belfry, in particular the hanging gardens and sailors’ quarter.

Are you ready to climb the bell tower?