HOTEL LIDO ^★★★★ MONS CENTRE
Patrimoine Unesco

You may not have known it, but the city of Mons has three UNESCO heritage sites.

• The Belfry (classified in 1999)

Located only 700 m from the hotel, this 87-metre-high building overlooks the Jardin des Comtes de Hainaut, more commonly known as the “Parc du Château” (Castle Park).

You will have to climb the 365 steps to reach the top of the belfry and admire an exceptional panorama from the ” Fenêtres du temps “. Access is also possible via a panoramic lift, which can be considered an attraction in itself!

From this altitude you can see the Haine plain, Brussels and the French border.

The belfry required 30 years of work to renovate it and offer an unusual concept: a belfry-museum. The tour takes you on a journey through time, tracing the origins of the belfry, its place in Montpellier’s heritage and the reasons why it is a listed monument today.

Keep your eyes open during your visit so as not to miss the architectural elements present on the site, as well as the various objects belonging to the collections of the city of Mons.

Attend an exceptional carillon concert… Note that since 2014, UNESCO has recognized the know-how of carillonneurs as Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

• Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes «  Silex’s » (classified in 2000) – Closed, reopening on 1^er April 2023

6 km from Mons, visit Europe’s largest and oldest flint extraction site.

Spread over an area of 100 hectares, discover a thousand mine shafts, through different routes (accessible to pushchairs and people with reduced mobility).

This must-see archaeological tourist site in the town of Mons bears witness to the carving techniques developed by Neolithic man.

The site has been adapted to allow you to visit on foot or, in some cases, by bicycle.

Go down to the mines and meet archaeologists, ready to pass on their knowledge and share their passion for history.

Fun experiments for adults and children punctuate your visit to stimulate your sense of observation and deepen this fabulous journey through time. There is also an outdoor photographic exhibition highlighting the latest archaeological finds.

Enjoy your visit!

• Le Doudou (classified in 2005)

“Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” is how UNESCO describes The “Doudou”.

What is the Doudou?

It is the ducasse of Mons, or in other words, the local festival of Mons, celebrated every year on the Sunday after Pentecost. Like a festival or a carnival, the festivities are spread over several days, starting on Trinity weekend, the starting point for the entertainment.

This annual event honours ancestral traditions in four stages:

• The Descent of the Shrine of Saint Waudru
• The Car d’Or Procession
• The Car d’Or Climb
• The Combat, known as “Lumeçon”.

Whether it is a solemn ceremony, a parade in traditional period costumes or a choreographed fight, the Doudou is a real travelling show for visitors and the people of Mons, who are very attached to the tradition.

Join the dance and follow the excitement of the thousands of participants, gathered to celebrate!

To understand the origin of the Doudou, the Doudou Museum retraces its history through objects, videos and interactive terminals, allowing the youngest to learn while having fun.

Go behind the scenes of the doudou and let yourself be carried away by the fascinating story of this popular festival, characteristic of the city of Mons.

Practical information

Belfry

Times: Visit of the castle park from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm

Prices: from €6 for adults, €2 for children

Belfry, garden and museum trail accessible to people with reduced mobility (access via Rue des Gades)

Website: http://www.polemuseal.mons.be/en/beffroi-mons?set_language=en

Neolithic flint mines « Silex’s »

Address: Rue du Point du Jour, 7032 Mons / +32 (0)65 84 68 12

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm

Prices: from €6, free for children under 12. Free on 1^st Sunday of each month

Parking for people with reduced mobility: 300, Rue du Point du Jour in Spiennes.

Website: http://www.polemuseal.mons.be/en/silexs-mons?set_language=en

Doudou Museum

Address: Jardin du Mayeur – Grand’Place, 7000 Mons / +32 (0)65 40 53 18

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm –

Annual closing on 2^nd December

Prices: from €6, free for children under 12.

An adapted tour is available for the visually impaired and blind.

Website:  http://www.polemuseal.mons.be/en/musee-du-doudou-mons?set_language=en

Opening hours and prices are indicative and subject to change.