Discover Mons
Mons (capital of Hainaut) lends itself very well to a family day: a compact historic centre, easy visits and a real local identity around the Doudou (Saint George and the dragon). We naturally go from the Grand-Place to the alleys of the Chapter, then we go up to the Belfry and its green spaces. The atmosphere is simple, lively, without complicated logistics once you get there.
The atmosphere oscillates between heritage and cultural city : museums in the right format, beautiful buildings, and a very strong identity around the ritual Ducasse of Mons, the “Doudou”, with its imagination of Saint George and the dragon. Even outside the festive period, you can feel that tradition structures the city.
Why go with your family?
- Easy format : everything is done on foot in loop mode around the center.
- Strong identity : the Doudou gives a unique colour to the city, even outside the festive period.
- Flexible pace : “short” visits, green breaks, and options around Mons if you extend.
At a glance
- TRAIN DURATION FROM BRUSSELS: Average travel time 55 min, direct train, 44 trains per day (varies according to schedule).
- ON FOOT FROM THE STATION: the Grand-Place can be reached in about 12 minutes (about 1 km).
- DURATION OF VISIT: 1 day (possible in half day if you tighten).
- FOR WHOM?
Small: Doudou Museum, Jardin du Mayeur, park.
The whole family: Grand-Place, Collegiate Church of Sainte-Waudru, Belfry.
Teens: Mundaneum, Art Library, Mons Memorial Museum, Maison Losseau.
The must-sees in Mons
Traditions and identity of Mons
- Doudou Museum
The “signature” visit: a rhythmic tour, the world of the Doudou and an easy reading of Mons’ identity.
Address: Jardin du Mayeur, Grand’Place — 7000 Mons. - Jardin du Mayeur
Just behind the Hôtel de Ville, it’s the simplest break in the centre: a small, enclosed garden, with trees, perfect for reviving energy.
Address: Jardin du Mayeur — 7000 Mons (accessible every day 8am–10pm).
UNESCO Heritage & Postcard
- Belfry of Mons (UNESCO)
The visual landmark of the day: a “monument” visit that makes a mark, and is very easy to integrate into the loop.
Rue des Clercs 32, 7000 Mons. - Grand-Place
The best anchor point: terraces, facades, city life, and the whole center radiates from here. - Collegiate Church of Sainte-Waudru
Great heritage step, easy even in short version.
Place du Chapitre, 7000 Mons. - Treasury of the Collegiate Church of Sainte-Waudru
Shorter visit, focused on the pieces and the goldsmith’s work: perfect if you like “cabinet” places to slip into the day.
Place du Chapitre, 7000 Mons.
Museums & visits (in the centre)
- Mundaneum
An atypical place between archives, memory and big ideas, very practical on a rainy day.
Rue de Nimy 76, 7000 Mons. - Losseau House
Art Nouveau / Belle Époque house, more intimate atmosphere: a quiet interlude in the middle of the day.
Rue de Nimy 37/39, 7000 Mons. - Art library
Behind the scenes of the collections: conservation, trades, reserves, “backstage” heritage.
Rue Claude de Bettignies 1, 7000 Mons. - CAP — Maison des Collections et Jardin du “Poirier Beurré”
A very simple combo: exhibition depending on the moment, then free garden right next door (entrance via rue Neuve).
Rue Neuve 8, 7000 Mons. - François Duesberg Museum
A small, very refined museum, in a “cabinet of curiosities” format (decorative arts), often appreciated when you want a different visit.
Square Franklin D. Roosevelt 12, 7000 Mons. - Mons Memorial Museum
Rather with older children/teenagers: a denser visit, which opens up the discussion.
Boulevard Dolez 51, 7000 Mons.
Recommended route
1) Mons train station : start without running
The center is close: you leave on foot and the day is done without transport once in the loop.
2) Grand-Place : laying the base
We spot the terraces, the useful streets and the lunch options. It’s the pivotal point that keeps the day simple.
3) Doudou Museum : the visit that tells the story of the city
Perfect at the beginning of the day: you can recover the identity of Mons at once, without spending hours there.
4) Jardin du Mayeur : minute break
Right next to the museum: a very efficient stop, especially with small children.
5) Chapter District : Collegiate Church (and Treasury if you feel like it)
Easy heritage stage: visit at the pace of the family, short version if necessary.
6) Belfry: the UNESCO moment
The benchmark of the day: you choose the intensity (full or faster visit).
7) Parc du Château or Waux-Hall : finish in green
Chateau Park if you stay in the compact loop. Waux-Hall if you want a real big break “in the great outdoors”.
8) Return to the station
We go back down quietly, without stress.
Where to eat with children
The easiest way is to stay around the Grand-Place (you don’t break the loop, and everything is within reach).
Simple lunch (effective with kids)
- La Cervoise — Grand’Place 25, 7000 Mons
- L’Excelsior — Grand’Place 29, 7000 Mons
- Copenhagen Tavern — Grand-Place 11, 7000 Mons
- L’Envers — Rue de la Coupe 20, 7000 Mons
Taste
2.0 Coffee & Waffle — Rue de la Chaussée 52, 7000 Mons
Waffle/pancake break very easy to slip in at the end of the loop.
Parks, amp; green breaks
- Castle Park
At the highest point in Mons, this is the easiest “view” break to squeeze in. There are vestiges linked to the history of the city, and the atmosphere is really different from the centre.
Rampe du Château, 7000 Mons. - Waux-Hall Park
Large landscaped city park, with water features and sculptures. Perfect for ending the day in “decompress” mode, especially if the kids need to run.
Avenue Reine Astrid 22, 7000 Mons. - The open sea
Walk along the water’s edge, more airy, practical if you come by car or if you are extending the day outside the centre.
Rue du Grand Large 2, 7000 Mons.
Practical information
Access from Brussels
- Train: direct connections between Brussels and Mons, average journey time 55 min (varies depending on the timetable).
- Arrival: Mons train station, then very easy to reach on foot.
From the train station
- The Grand Place can be reached in about 12 minutes on foot (about 1 km).
- Once in the centre, the day is very good without transport, in loop mode.
Getting around
- On foot: the historic heart is compact and pleasant.
- The main points of visit (Grand-Place, Doudou, Chapter, Belfry, parks) are easy to follow.
Parking
- Municipal covered car parks: Grand-Place and de la Halle.
First hour free, then €1.50 per hour between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m., and €0.70 per hour between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 7:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 7:30 a.m.–00 a.m., Sunday 8 a.m.–10 p.m.
Vehicle can be taken back 24 hours a day.
Park and ride facilities (if you come by car)
- Carrefour Saint-Fiacre: about 20 minutes walk from the Grand-Place (about 2 km).
- Grand Large: about 25 minutes walk from the Grand-Place (about 2.5 km).
Markets (if you fall on the right day)
- Friday market: 8am–2pm, from Rue des Sœurs Noires to Avenue Frère Orban (via streets and squares in the centre).
- Sunday market: 8am–2pm, Place Nervienne, Place du Béguinage, Rue Buisseret.
- Flower market (Sunday): 8am–2pm, Place Léopold.
Visit Pass
- Mons Card: 24-hour or 48-hour format, useful if you make several paid visits in the same day.
Stroller
- Overall doable center, with sometimes cobbled streets.
- Accessibility varies depending on the monuments and museums, it is better to check on a case-by-case basis if you are aiming for a specific visit.
Please note
The Doudou (Ritual Ducasse of Mons) has been recognised by UNESCO since 2005 and takes place every year on the Trinity weekend (date varies).
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the city is designed “at the size of a step”: arrival by train, close to the centre, simple loop between Grand-Place, Doudou, Chapitre and Beffroi.
Doudou Museum, Jardin du Mayeur, Grand-Place, then Parc du Waux-Hall at the end of the day.
Doudou Museum, Mundaneum, Maison Losseau, Art Library. The centre lends itself well to a mostly indoor day.
Mundaneum, Artothèque, Mons Memorial Museum, then a “city” walk around the Grand-Place and the Belfry.
The Grand-Place and de la Halle communal car parks are the easiest to stay in the centre.
Yes, if you combine several paid sites (Belfry, Doudou, Artothèque, Maison des Collections according to your desires). Otherwise, the city is also very well done with a mix of free visits and walks.
Discover the cities around Brussels
Brussels is a small city, with several districts, each with its own particularity. Everything is quite easy to do on foot.