"Charming Mons" Mons by Norali

Mons Travel Guide: 212 reviews and 416 photos

Bird's eye view of La Sainte Waudru - Mons

A student point of view

Under construction !

Mons is a city in South of Belgium. I know Mons from having lived there for months during the last part of my studies. Like most of Belgium cities, its center is built around a Grand-Place (square place with guild houses, stonebricks pavement, it seems)... a legacy from Roman epoch. Belgian city halls (H?tels de ville) use to be on a Grand-Place, so does Mons'. Personnally, I like those Grand-Places as buildings around them have always kept original style and architecture.

1- Mons' Grand-Place comprehends theater, caf?s, restaurants. To visit Mons: park a car at the entry of the city and enjoy walking through the city or let those little buses carry you in the urban area for free.

2- Within a stone's throw of the Grand-Place: Place du March? aux Herbes that used to host herb market. It currently hosts student caf?s with concerts at night. Also some trendy boutiques for clothing.

3- Other place to visit: Le Beffroi (balfry), secular building with a tour and bells. From the Beffroi, you can have a nice view of the city and surroundings. Interesting: a kind of museum to know about Beffroi and Mons history.

4- Enjoy the view of La Coll?giale de la Sainte-Waudru, a cathedral with an elegant gothic style. With the Beffroi, it symbolizes Mons: a christian (cathedrale epitomizes this aspect) and laic city (Beffroi was built to balance the power of church in the city). Picture is taken from its website. www.waudru.be

5- Also near GrandPlace, the Monkey. There is a belief that wishes would come true after having caressed the monkey statue.

More pictures of Mons will come soon!

June festivals

Mons hosts many fairs and festivals throughout the year but:

1- If you visit Mons on June 21, the streets of Mons, Grand-Place and many spots in the city live with Music Festival pace (For instance, les Casemates). Starry nights. I kept a good souvenir of this festival. The fact that it occurs in June makes it a nice intro to Summer festivals.

2-Another pittoresque festival: Le Doudou, that holds on June as well. A festival that takes 10 days, with a march through the city and a battle with a dragon.. On the last day, Mons celebrates the victory on Evil... Really worthseeing but got to read to understand this secular celebration. (cf. my tips for contacts..)

Pros and Cons

Pros:Lively thanks, to students life (many univ & schools)
In a nutshell:Charming, pittoresque with stonebricks pavement

Last visit to Mons: Oct 2002
Intro Updated Mar 27, 2004
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Reviews (23)

Theatre, Concerts, Exhibitions and more Nightlife (6)

When I first hit K.Fee in 2000, it just opened. Friends brought me there after an Opera evening. I was still in my Opera... more travel advice

Cobblestoned streets (www.waudru.be) - Mons

Mons - Bergen, capital city of Hainault... Favorites (4)

Mons is the capital city of the Hainault province. The Hainault province is the third biggest province in Belgium... more travel advice

Never did it ... and regret Things to Do (4)

I am not the church-type of person. Visiting a church is not amongst top priorities of mine while visiting citites. This... more travel advice

Musée d' Arts décoratifs François... Things to Do (4)

My visit to the Museum of decorative arts dates back to 1996, during my first visit of the city. I still remember... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (1)
Green and violet wood
Transportation (1)
Free urban buses
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Comments (10)

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Muya Nov 8, 2004 at 2:04 PM

Merci d'être passée sur ma page de Mons ;-) C'est une ville que j'apprend à connaître et je trouve qu'elle en vaut la peine. Bien sûr, le fait d'y avoir des amis joue aussi ;-)
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wcph Sep 27, 2004 at 10:18 PM

Hi, lots of good info and the Gothic cathedral looks amazing.
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Goldenboy Jul 26, 2004 at 4:46 PM

Whoooaaaa up so late....
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ptitetoile May 14, 2004 at 9:36 AM

Hello Norali... Alors tu viens au Doudou cette année? Tu sais que je suis une accro??? La collégiale St Waudru et le Car d'Or t'attende! Et si on faisait un VT-meeting à Mons?
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diageva Apr 3, 2004 at 6:55 PM

Curious about your Mons page :) funny dress code, nice page VT-Cap-Orali :))
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Shaft28 Jul 28, 2003 at 11:20 AM

I really enjoy yor pages, thank you for sharing them with us.
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cadzand Jul 9, 2003 at 1:06 PM

Yummy those restaurant tips. A must do !
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craic Jul 8, 2003 at 4:13 PM

Just me having a bit of a look round.
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irisbe Jul 2, 2003 at 6:40 AM

Next Spring is the woods! Next June must be that festival! good tips :-)
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dsantosh May 2, 2003 at 6:58 AM

Excellant page..simply superb..Lot of useful information and nice tips..Filled with beautiful page..