bthere: Inflight Magazine Brussels Airlines

the best things to do in Mons

The capital of the Belgian province of Hainaut, Mons (known in Flemish as Bergen), sits atop the slopes of a small hill about 60km southwest of Brussels. Built around a 7th-century monastery, the town has an interesting history and plenty of charms

Text Renée Cordes

Dial +32 for Belgium

1 SOAK UP the atmosphere on the Grand’Place, dominated by the Gothic Town Hall, whose architect, Mathieu de Layens, may be better known for the Town Hall in Leuven. Be sure to rub the statue of the mischievous-looking monkey standing guard on the left side of the entrance to the Mons Town Hall for good luck

2 CELEBRATE Valentine’s Day at the 23rd International Love Film Festival, the showpiece of the culture capital of Belgium’s French-language community, which draws film celebrities from around the world. This year’s event, which runs from Feb 9-16, features daily screenings sure to put you in the mood for love.

3 PARTAKE in the annual carnival festivities in nearby Binche, recognised on UNESCO’s world heritage list. From morning until night on Feb 19-20 the whole town will be one big party, culminating in the Mardi Gras parade on the Tuesday.

4 BRING the kids, and feel like one yourself, to Imagipark (1 Avenue de la Grande Large, tel. (0)65 40 81 60), an enormous leisure centre open seven days a week until the wee hours. Between the disco bowling, video games, karaoke, billiard tables and theme parties, there’s plenty to keep visitors of all ages entertained for hours.

5 FEAST your eyes on the Sainte-Waudrau Church, a stunning example of Brabantine Gothic architecture. Inside, the 16th-century stained-glass windows and the Car d’Or, a gilded wagon made in the 17th century and which, every Trinity Sunday (a week after Pentecost), carries the relic shrine of Saint Waudrau through the streets in a huge procession.

6 VISIT the house Vincent Van Gogh lived in from 1879-90, now a museum with an audiovisual presentation in several languages. Located in the suburb of Ceusmes, the house (3 Rue du Pavillion, tel. (0)65 33 55 80) is where the Dutch master painted the mining families of the Borinage region. Guided tours can be arranged on request.

7 SAMPLE fine cuisine at at the critically acclaimed Devos (7 Rue de la Coupe, tel. (0)65 35 37 71), located in a former inn nearly as old as Mons itself. Every evening, as well as Saturday and Sunday lunch, French chef Michel Reutenauer offers a Divine Menu (€75 without wine), a personalised menu consisting of two starters, one main, cheese trolley and dessert.

8 CHILL OUT at the non-profit Maison du Jazz (51 Boulevard Dolez, tel. (0)65 59 58 24), where you can check out 10,000 rare discs and videos. Stroll through the permanent exhibition or rifle through unedited photos and documents devoted to jazz. There are also regular concerts in a friendly, intimate atmosphere.

9 TOUR the Contemporary Art Museum, known by its French acronym MAC (82 Rue St. Louise, Grand-Hornu, tel. (0)65 65 21 21), named the Best Museum of 2006 in Wallonia. It’s located in the Grand-Hornu industrial village, founded by philanthropist Henry de Gorge in the 19th century for coal miners’ families.

10 ENJOY a drink on one of the many cafés and bars on the Place du Marchéaux-Herbes, located steps from the Grand’Place and highly popular with students. Le Chinchin (15 Rue des Clercs) is famous for its eponymous drink served in small doses.