Did you know? Tournai is a city of titles.
Tournai in Hainaut boasts a number of titles. Four stand out in particular. It is the cradle of France, home to one of the seven wonders of Belgium, briefly ruled by the British, and the first city in Belgium and Europe to be twinned.
Let's begin with a few of Tournai's more familiar assets. Alongside Tongeren and Arlon, Tournai is one of the oldest Gallo-Roman cities in Belgium. It boasts no fewer than seven municipal museums, and its Cathedral of Our Lady and belfry are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The belfry is the oldest in Belgium, while the cathedral is distinguished by its five towers.
Tournai, the cradle of France
A little piece of history. During the Great Migration (around 300–600 BC), the Germanic Franks entered the Roman Empire from the east. The Romans eventually came to regard them as allies. During the reign of Childeric (436–481), Tournai served as the imperial city and the political hub of the Frankish Empire, which gradually expanded southward, reaching as far as the Somme. His son, Clovis (466–511), continued this tradition. By 486, he had progressed as far as the Loire, and in 496, he was baptised as the Christian king of the Franks in Rheims. In 507, he took control of most of the Visigothic Settlement in Aquitania and subsequently chose Paris as his capital. When Clovis died in 511, just about the entire province of Gaul was in the hands of the Franks. From then on, it was known as France. However, Tournai was at the cradle of it. To this day, Tournai remains Belgium's most French city.
One of the seven Belgian wonders
The standout feature of the Cathedral of Our Lady is the Châsse de Notre-Dame, a magnificent reliquary made of gilded and silvered copper, adorned with gems, which dates back to 1205 and is dedicated to Our Lady. This masterpiece of Romanesque-Gothic art, created by the renowned goldsmith Nicolas de Verdun, is also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A small piece of England
Tournai is the only Belgian city that was once a part of England, having been under the control of the notorious King Henry VIII from 1513 to 1519. The keep known as Tour Henry VIII, Grosse Tour, or Tour des Anglais in the city walls serves as a reminder of that period.
The site of the first town twinning in Belgium and Europe.
On 4 November 1951, Tournai became the first city in Belgium and Europe to establish a twinning arrangement, partnering with Troyes in France. Troyes was not chosen at random. In both cities, the textile and knitting industries thrived during the 19th and 20th centuries. The méthode troyenne had significantly improved the lives of countless textile workers, making their tasks easier and less burdensome.
Initially, the friendship between the two cities was inspired by shared economic interests. Today, culture, heritage, sports, and social considerations play a greater role.
Reasons galore to visit Tournai!