Silex's

Wallonia


Six kilometres southeast of Mons, a peaceful agricultural scene covers what was a major Neolithic flint-mining site. One of the most impressive shafts is covered by a small modern museum, which gives decent information on how the flint was knapped and made into durable tools. Three daily 90-minute visits descend to the mine – an atmospheric experience – but must be prebooked well in advance (around 15 days' notice) via Mons' tourist office (groupes@ville.mons.be). Children under age 10 aren't allowed in the mine.

There's access for travellers with disabilities, but otherwise you must park 1km away and stroll through pleasant farmland. There are buses to Spiennes from Mons.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Wallonia attractions

2. Mons Memorial Museum

2.36 MILES

This superb museum mostly covers Mons' experience of the two world wars, though the constant sieges of this town's turbulent history are also mentioned…

3. Trésor de Sainte Waudru

2.76 MILES

The small church treasury displays Ste-Waudru’s shrouds and, in a reliquary, a sword-slashed skull – supposedly of sainted Merovingian king Dagobert II…

4. Beffroi

2.76 MILES

The 87m-tall Unesco-listed baroque belfry is a 17th-century marvel topped by black-and-gold mini-domes. The lift takes you up to only 36m, though the…

5. Hôtel de Ville

2.76 MILES

Mons' splendid 15th-century city hall is the most visually arresting building on the photogenic, café-lined Grand Place. It has become customary among…

6. Collégiale Ste-Waudru

2.77 MILES

Within this lofty, airy, 15th-century Gothic church you'll find the golden reliquary of Ste-Waudru (hanging above the altar) and the fanciful 1782 Car d…

7. BAM

2.82 MILES

This modernist glass cube of a gallery is the product of a rebuild for the city's tenure as a European Capital of Culture in 2015. It hosts temporary…

8. Musée du Doudou

2.83 MILES

Head through the Hôtel de Ville on the Grand Place to reach this museum, dedicated to Mons' riotous Doudou festival. All aspects of this curious event, as…