Ghent to Mons and Valenciennes: Private day trip

Mons mixes Gothic charm with festival traditions. The Grande-Place, UNESCO belfry, and its famous brass monkey tell centuries of stories.

Start in the Grande-Place, where the Gothic town hall sets the scene. Touch the brass monkey’s head for good luck; it’s a local tradition. Climb the UNESCO belfry for sweeping views of the Borinage countryside. Mons also surprises with its museums: the Mundaneum, often called the “paper Google,” and the Fine Arts Museum with works by local masters. The city is known for its Ducasse festival. But even outside festival days, the cobblestone streets, cafés, and medieval facades make exploring easy and rewarding.

Valenciennes blends Flemish roots with French style, offering a mix of Gothic churches, lively squares, and a world-class art museum.

Just across the border, Valenciennes has a different take on history. The Museum of Fine Arts holds works by Rubens, van Dyck, and major French painters. Making it one of the region’s cultural highlights. The rebuilt city center shows how Valenciennes rose from WWII destruction. While still keeping traces of its Flemish past in architecture and food. Visit the Gothic Church of St. Géry, stroll through the Place d’Armes, and enjoy the feel of a French city with Belgian influences.