14 Activities
Road Trip to Belgium: Courtrai and Tournai in One Day
Starts from
Lille
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
14
Duration
12 hours
Length
26 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Lille
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
12 hours
Length
26 mi
Sarah Dawalibi
Blogger
- Visit of the superb Cathedral of Tournai.
- Admire Courtrai from the top of Saint-Martin's tower.
- Have a glimpse of the two parts of Belgium: Wallonia and Flanders.
On this one-day road trip, you will spend a full day in Belgium, to discover two very interesting cities, offering a lot of culturally and architecturally exciting visits. In the morning, you will be discovering Tournai, worth visiting for its superb Romanesque Cathedral and its beautiful main square. In the afternoon, you will drive to Courtrai, the former linen capital of Belgium. The textile industry belongs now to the past, but the Texture Museum of Courtrai is worth the detour.
During this day, you will spend the morning in Wallonia, the French-speaking part of Belgium, and the afternoon in Flanders, the Flemish side. It will be like visiting two foreign countries on the same day! Get ready to notice the cultural differences between these two parts of Belgium.
About border crossing between France and Belgium, these two countries are in Schengen area, so there is normally no passport or ID control. Make sure you have them with you in case of a random control.
During this day, you will spend the morning in Wallonia, the French-speaking part of Belgium, and the afternoon in Flanders, the Flemish side. It will be like visiting two foreign countries on the same day! Get ready to notice the cultural differences between these two parts of Belgium.
About border crossing between France and Belgium, these two countries are in Schengen area, so there is normally no passport or ID control. Make sure you have them with you in case of a random control.
Categories
On this one-day road trip, you will spend a full day in Belgium, to discover two very interesting cities, offering a lot of culturally and architecturally exciting visits. In the morning, you will be discovering Tournai, worth visiting for its superb Romanesque Cathedral and its beautiful main square. In the afternoon, you will drive to Courtrai, the former linen capital of Belgium. The textile industry belongs now to the past, but the Texture Museum of Courtrai is worth the detour.
During this day, you will spend the morning in Wallonia, the French-speaking part of Belgium, and the afternoon in Flanders, the Flemish side. It will be like visiting two foreign countries on the same day! Get ready to notice the cultural differences between these two parts of Belgium.
About border crossing between France and Belgium, these two countries are in Schengen area, so there is normally no passport or ID control. Make sure you have them with you in case of a random control.
During this day, you will spend the morning in Wallonia, the French-speaking part of Belgium, and the afternoon in Flanders, the Flemish side. It will be like visiting two foreign countries on the same day! Get ready to notice the cultural differences between these two parts of Belgium.
About border crossing between France and Belgium, these two countries are in Schengen area, so there is normally no passport or ID control. Make sure you have them with you in case of a random control.
Sarah Dawalibi
Blogger
- Visit of the superb Cathedral of Tournai.
- Admire Courtrai from the top of Saint-Martin's tower.
- Have a glimpse of the two parts of Belgium: Wallonia and Flanders.
Day Itinerary
14 Activities
Day 1
26 mi3 mi
Visiting Tournai in Wallonia and Courtrai in Flanders
Get ready to drive a full day around Belgium, easily done while departing from Lille. Your first stop will be the town of Tournai in Wallonia, the French-speaking part of the country. Then, you will discover Courtrai, in Flanders, which has a lot to offer to curious visitors.
09:005 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
Park your car in the city center, before wandering in Tournai by walking.
0.3 mi
10 min
09:1515 min
Halle aux Draps
Historic Site
Open Details
You can start your visit of Tournai at its gorgeous main square, surrounded by beautiful buildings, many of them embellished with colorful banners. The most remarkable of them is the gilded Cloth Hall, which used to host merchants trading in cloth goods. On the other side of the square, don't miss the belfry, which is Belgium's oldest belfry (currently closed for renovation).
0.4 mi
10 min
09:451 hr
Museum of Fine Arts
Art Museum
Open Details
Designed by the great "Art Nouveau" architect Victor Horta, the Museum of Fine Arts of Tournai displays paintings by renowned artists like Manet, Monet, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, Ensor and Van der Weyden. Its collection is regarded as one of the most important in Belgium.
0.4 mi
10 min
11:001 hr
Notre-Dame de Tournai
Church
Open Details
Listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO since 2000, the Cathedral Notre-Dame of Tournai is a masterpiece of medieval architecture. Its five bell-towers is the landmark of Tournai skyline. The combination of both styles Romanesque and Gothic makes this Cathedral unique in Europe.
Be aware that the Cathedral is undergoing a massive restoration until, at least, 2026, so there might be some scaffolding hiding some parts of the building.
Be aware that the Cathedral is undergoing a massive restoration until, at least, 2026, so there might be some scaffolding hiding some parts of the building.
17.5 mi
30 min
12:451 hr
Argendael
Belgian Restaurant
Open Details
Before arriving at Courtrai, this is the perfect place to have lunch. It offers excellent fine dishes, specially for meat lovers. If it's a sunny day, you can enjoy a meal on the terrace, surrounded by a lovely garden.
5.1 mi
15 min
14:005 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
You have arrived in Courtrai, also called Kortrijk in Flemish.
0.3 mi
10 min
14:151 hr
TEXTURE - Flax & River Lys Museum
Museum
Open Details
You can start your visit of Courtrai with Texture, a very interesting museum which celebrates the history and culture of the linen and flax industry that made the town prosperous from the 15th century onwards. The exhibition is very well curated, with a lot of interactive information boards.
0.7 mi
15 min
15:3015 min
Broel Towers
Historic Site
Open Details
Located on a picturesque arched stone bridge across the river Leie, the Broel Towers are the last reminders of the medieval fortifications which served to protect the city. They are not opened to visitors, so you can just admire them from outside.
0.3 mi
10 min
16:001 hr
Saint Martin's Church
Church
Open Details
Located on the main square, this is the main church of Courtrai. Its 83m-high tower is the best place to enjoy an amazing panorama, if you are brave enough to climb the 246 steps... The church is housing very beautiful art pieces, among them the Triptych of the Holy Spirit by the Flemish painter Bernard de Rijckere, which can be seen in the chapel.
0.1 mi
5 min
17:1530 min
Beguinage
Historic Site
Open Details
Dating back to the 13th century, the Courtrai's Béguinage is a very charming cluster of small whitewashed traditional houses. It used to be a community uniting women dedicating their lives to God, without withdrawing from the world. The place is on free access all day, but if you want to visit the Béguinage experience Center, you will have to come sooner, because it is closing at 17:00.
Open Hours: daily 07:00 - 21:00
Open Hours: daily 07:00 - 21:00
0.2 mi
5 min
18:0030 min
Belfry of Courtrai
Historic Site
Open Details
While returning back to your car, don't forget to pass in front of the belfry of Courtrai. Standing in the center of the Grote Markt, it is an imposing square tower. Unfortunately, it is not open to the visitors. You can only admire it from outside.
0.7 mi
15 min
18:455 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
You can go back to your car after the visit of Courtrai.
3.7 mi
10 min
19:001 hr 30 min
Culinair
Lodging
Open Details
The perfect way to end this beautiful day in Belgium is to stop at Menen, right before the French border, to have dinner in this excellent gastronomic restaurant. Don't forget to book a table on the website.
Open Hours: Closed on Monday and Tuesday Wednesday - Friday: 12:00 - 14:00, 19:00 - 20:30 Saturday: 19:00 - 20:30 Sunday: 12:00 - 14:00
Open Hours: Closed on Monday and Tuesday Wednesday - Friday: 12:00 - 14:00, 19:00 - 20:30 Saturday: 19:00 - 20:30 Sunday: 12:00 - 14:00