Things to Do in Tournai

Top Things to Do in Tournai

Things to Do in Tournai


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Top Attractions in Tournai

These rankings are informed by traveler reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
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What travelers are saying

  • Matthias W
    Vienna, Austria536 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Clearly knowing that the cathedral is in renovation I still was impressed by the five towers and the nice facade with many sculptures. The cathedral opened with a delay of 5 minutes and what I was annoyed by is the fact that the treasury had vastly different opening times than advertised on the cathedral webpage, even the print out times were scribbled over and replaced with random times aka like 14:15, and nothing in the morning.

    Ok I cannot say if I missed much since the times were shifted by that much that I couldn't see it. The nave is now free of scaffolding, same for most of the transept, the chancel and ambulatory are still fenced off unfortunately. But even the capitals of the pillars are nice already now, and some windows are also nice to see, I would suspect once the renovation will be finished things will even be better.
    Written December 15, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Wolffie1st
    Argenton-sur-Creuse, France40 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Among other things I now know why a lady's hat pin can be considered a very fine weapon for self-defence. But it was chock-a-block with wonderful exhibits covering every aspect of daily life in centuries past. Well done.
    Written January 13, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Paul Legate
    United Kingdom20,389 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Belfry of Tournai is an iconic structure at the Eastern point of Grand'Place. The freestanding bell tower stands at 72 metres high, construction of the Belfry began in 1188. It is one of several belfries in Belgium and France that are on the UNESCO World Heritage List because of their architectural significance. It is an impressive structure but unfortunately it was not possible go inside but it was still possible to view externally. Tournai is a beautiful city and the Belfry is one of the major highlights.
    Written March 5, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • nmhiker2015
    Colorado Springs, CO141 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Based on the signage behind the fencing, this is being “disassembled” so it can be reconstructed better. The central portion of the bridge appears to have been demolished to remove the more modern construction that was done to repair the bridge after it was blown up in WW II to stop a German advance. There is obvious remnants of rebar on the central island. The original towers on both banks have been secured to prevent any collapse. There was no firm completion date on the signs, but I’d give them two years at least to complete this work.
    Written September 1, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • hans-jaguar
    Santa Comba Dao, Portugal22,328 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Museum has been founded in the year 1828 during the Dutch period, this first museum in the country opened its doors to the public in the year1829.
    In the year 1839, the museum moved into a gallery and a square room designed by the architect Bruno Renard at its current location, that of the former brewery of the Saint-Martin Abbey. During its expansion and redevelopment, inaugurated in June from 2001, the scenography took care to preserve the "cabinet of curiosities" which immerses the visitor in the atmosphere of 19th century natural history cabinets as well as a gallery of animals naturalized as rare as they are extraordinary. You will be able to discover there in particular the first elephant to arrive in Belgium in the year 1839, which has become a treasure recognized by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. The Natural History Museum is also characterized by the presence of a vivarium where live fish, tarantulas, amphibians and reptiles evolve in reconstructed habitats. Rub shoulders with species as fabulous as spectacled caimans, poison dart frogs from the Amazon, rare turtles from Egypt and boas from Jamaica, which are now threatened with extinction. Since the year 2019, you can also enjoy a scientific garden in which various outdoor enclosures are located as well as an exotic butterfly greenhouse.
    Written February 1, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jozef O
    Brussels, Belgium192 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    We went to Tournai mainly for a family visit, but decided to take in this museum. The collection is limited but I do like some of the 19th century painting it displays (regardless of the fact that most of it is by painters who are nor world-renowned). And there are some French impressionist Masters; There is also some sculpture, but I am more of a paintings fan.

    The museum is fairly small, but from what I see there are big plans for a more modern extension.
    Written August 23, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • macedonboy
    Glasgow, UK179,691 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Elise Saint Quentin is a church at the western end of Grand Place. It's a very distinctive looking building of Gallo-Romanesque design, almost in contrast to the nearby Cathedral of Tournai at the opposite end of Grand Place. The building has been around since the 12th century. Due to it's great age and the restoration work over the centuries, the church now has a mix of Gothic and Baroque architectural features, although that's really obvious once you step inside. The isn't especially worth a detour unless you want to see the Saint Quentin reliquary or already in Grand Place.
    Written September 4, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • AmarilisVos
    Jabbeke, Belgium2,318 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We visited this museum on August 20. There is metered parking in the street. When you obtain tickets you have the possibility to get a tablet (3 €) so you can read more information about certain items in this museum.
    In almost every room you will find puppets from a certain country or region and a plasticized card with information (English and Dutch) about the puppets in the room.
    Written August 22, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • palustrian
    beijing120 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Some beautiful old tapestries and an interesting exhibition of monochrome block prints illustrating natural and human environmental destruction.
    Written August 6, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • pilipili2009
    Anvers370 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice square with lots of terraces to have a drink. Nice atmosphere and buildings. We had a drink here on a Friday evening, visited the market on Saturday morning.
    Written September 23, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Marc_Karin
    Ghent, Belgium351 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful church to visit. Very authentic with great glass windows and impressive ceiling. Very much worth the visit.
    Written August 6, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Wolffie1st
    Argenton-sur-Creuse, France40 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Was here by accident on the day every tourist thing was closed [Tues] a few summers ago, had to return as I was so impressed by the magnificence of the square.
    Written January 13, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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