A stunning city which dates back more than 2,000 years is regarded as a former capital of France, and even has its own Notre-Dame. Tournai is in what is now western Belgium, near the French border, was under the control of various nations across its history. It’s famous for being the birthplace of Clovis, the first King of the Franks in the 5th century.
Clovis later occupied Paris following the fall of the Western Roman Empire, and in 508 made it the capital of the Kingdom of the Francs. Many historians regard him as the first French king, or monarch of what would later become France, though the nation as we know it today was yet to take shape. Tournai is one of Belgium’s oldest cities, and is home to stunning architecture, including the Notre-Dame de Tournai or The Cathedral of Our Lady, which was built in the first half of the 12th century.
While it is not known exactly when the city was capital of France, it is known it handed the title over to Soissons in 486, while Paris became capital of France in 987.
Close by is the Grand Place, a square described as the centre of activity in the city, which has various restaurants and bars.
Among the other top attractions on TripAdvisor is the Musée d’Histoire Naturelle et Vivarium, with a large collection and grand neo-Classical interiors.
The Musee du Folklore (Folklore Museum) is also a popular spot among visitors, as is the Musée des Beaux-Arts, described by one reviewer as a “hidden gem”.
Other architectural delights include the Belfry of Tournai, a freestanding bell tower of medieval origin, which like the Cathedral is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One TripAdvisor user who visited at the start of this year gave the belfry a five-star review and said it wasn’t to be missed.
They wrote: “This beautiful tower on an equally aesthetically pleasing Grand Place is apparently the oldest in all of Belgium and has been wonderfully preserved.
“It’s a must-see when visiting southern Belgium and an array of restaurants and cafes in its shadow let you admire it while having a pint or some food.
“If you walk away from it westward down the Grand Place and then turn around, you get a great view of the Belfry, classic architecture of all the restaurants with the tips of Cathedral Notre Dame arching overhead,” they said, adding: “Very charming!”
The city is about two-and-a-half hours away from London via the Eurostar, plus one change.
The nearest airport is Lille Lesquin (LIL) Airport which is about 12.6 miles away.
