BELGIUM AND LUXEMBOURG REGION BY REGION 177

The awe-inspiring altar of St Christopher’s Church in Charleroi

Historically a border

county, Hainaut has

been contested over

the centuries between

France and the rulers of

the rest of central Belgium.

The region around Tournai, a

city with Roman origins, was the

centre of the Frankish empire in the

5th century and remained French

until 1513. After a brief English occu-

pation under Henry VIII, it was French

again during the time of Louis XIV

and through the turmoil that followed

the French Revolution (1789–99).

This influence is reflected in the local

language, Picard, which is distinct

from Wallon and shared with Nord-

Pas-de-Calais in neighbouring France.

In the 19th century, the green hills

of central Hainaut, around the his-

toric cities of Charleroi and Mons

were found to contain rich seams of

coal. This led to the development

of the Région du Centre, around

La Louvière, as a powerhouse of

industrial development within

Belgium. Canals and water-

ways were built to link the

area to Germany, France

and the North Sea. The

region’s affluence grew

owing to the mines and

factories, but districts

around the major cities

struggled with growing industrializa-

tion and the resultant poverty.

Today, Western Wallonia remains

the epitome of Belgium’s varied his-

tory. The industrial areas across the

centre of the region have redefined

their collieries and mines as dynamic

museums and centres for the arts that

draw hundreds of enthusiasts. In

addition, the stately châteaux dotting

the region bring the splendour of the

late medieval period to life for

Belgians and visitors alike. The most

popular times to visit are when towns

across Western Wallonia hold lively

carnivals, steeped in pageantry, that

attract people from across the world.

WESTERN WALLONIA

S

tretching across the Province of Hainaut, Western Wallonia

is redolent with the romance of history in such impressive

châteaux as Beloeil, Seneffe and Attre, and the intimate medie-

val centre of Tournai. Hainaut also played a key role in Belgium’s

industrial development, a past that is now celebrated in several

fascinating showpieces of industrial heritage across the region.

Immaculately costumed participants at the bold and sparkling carnival of Binche