Hainaut

Mons is the capital of Hainaut province in Wallonia, Belgium, and one of the country's most history-rich small cities. Set on a hilltop near the French border, it combines a compact medieval core with a lively university population and a strong conference and cultural scene.

The city's heritage is concentrated around the Grand-Place and the 17th-century baroque belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside the Gothic collegiate Church of Sainte-Waudru and the ornate Town Hall. Nearby, the Neolithic flint mines at Spiennes are also UNESCO-listed, and the annual Ducasse de Mons, known locally as the Doudou festival, is recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.

Museums and cultural venues include the Mons Memorial Museum, the Beaux-Arts Mons (BAM) and the contemporary art centre at Grand-Hornu, while the Van Gogh House in Cuesmes recalls the painter's time in the Borinage mining region. The pedestrian-friendly centre is filled with cafés, restaurants and shops around the Grand-Place and the rue de Nimy.

As the home of the University of Mons and the Wallonia Conference Centre (WCCM), Mons is a growing hub for education, business events and technology, with strong rail and road links to Brussels, Charleroi and northern France.

For travellers, Mons offers an authentic Walloon experience that is easy to explore on foot, well connected by rail, and close to both Brussels South Charleroi Airport and Brussels Airport, making it practical for short city breaks, cultural visits and business trips.