The belfries of Belgium and northern France have been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1999. These tall civic towers were for centuries the symbol of communal freedom: they housed the city archives, the city bells and often the prison. Today they still dominate the Flemish and Hainaut city skylines - but are they also accessible to wheelchair travellers? The answer is nuanced: the towers themselves are often only reachable on foot via steep flights of stairs, but at many belfries you can visit the ground-floor halls, the immediate surroundings and accompanying museums. We review nine belfries of which at least part is step-free to visit.
Belfry of Bruges: the symbol of the city
The Belfry of Bruges on the Markt is the most famous in Belgium. The tower itself, with its 366 steps, is not accessible, but the inner courtyard and the monumental entrance hall can be visited via a ramp. From the Markt you have the most beautiful view of the belfry - a photo moment no one wants to miss. Combine with a wheelchair tour through Minnewater Park and a visit to the accessible Saint John's Hospital.
Belfry of Ghent: lift to the top
The Belfry of Ghent, between Saint Bavo's Cathedral and Saint Nicholas' Church, is one of the few belfries with a lift. It was installed in 2012 during the restoration and takes you to the observation platform at sixty-five metres. From there you see the entire historic centre of Ghent. The lift has limited capacity - reserve a time slot in advance. The ground-floor hall with the original dragon (replaced by a replica on the roof) is also step-free. A unique highlight and absolutely worthwhile for panorama lovers.
Belfry of Leuven: in the shadow of the city hall
The Belfry of Leuven stands on the Grote Markt, next to the world-famous city hall with its 236 statuettes. The belfry itself is not accessible inside, but the Grote Markt and the adjacent city hall have adapted entrances and an adapted toilet. Combine with a visit to the M-Museum - fully step-free - and a walk through the Great Beguinage, also UNESCO World Heritage.
Belfry of Tournai: pure Middle Ages
The Belfry of Tournai is the oldest belfry in Belgium - parts of it date from the twelfth century. The tower itself is only reachable via stairs, but the Grand-Place on which it stands is fully paved and accessible. In the same city centre you find the impressive Cathedral of Our Lady of Tournai and the accessible Musee des Beaux-Arts. Tournai is a flat city - perfect for a day rolling around without too much elevation difference.
Belfry of Aalst: the oldest belfry in Flanders
The Belfry of Aalst is part of the aldermen's house on the Grote Markt and is considered the oldest civic belfry in Flanders, built in the thirteenth century. The tower itself is not step-free, but the Grote Markt and the immediate surroundings are. Combine with a visit to the modern Utopia library - fully accessible and architecturally impressive - and a wheelchair walk in the Aalst city park.
Belfry of Mons: the only baroque belfry
The Belfry of Mons is unique: the only belfry in Belgium in baroque style, built in the seventeenth century. Since the restoration a few years ago, a lift has been built into the base of the tower, taking you to the visitor centre. The upper floors remain accessible only via stairs to walkers, but the museum section with the history of the tower is step-free. The surrounding hill - the Mons park - has sloping paths, so count on assistance or an electric wheelchair. Visit afterwards the Mons Memorial Museum and the Grand-Place of Mons.
Belfry of Kortrijk: tower from the halls
The Belfry of Kortrijk is one of the few in Belgium that is no longer attached to a hall or city hall, since the old cloth hall was demolished in the nineteenth century. The tower itself is only accessible via stairs, but the surrounding Grote Markt is fully flat and step-free. Combine with a walk through the accessible Beguinage of Kortrijk - also UNESCO - and a visit to the Broel Museum or the textile museum.
Belfry of Dendermonde: the city hall as gateway
The Belfry of Dendermonde is connected to the old city hall on the Grote Markt and still houses a beautiful carillon. The tower is reachable via stairs, but the ground-floor hall and the adjacent Meat Hall - today a museum - are step-free. Combine with a visit to the city library and a walk in the city park.
Belfry of Diksmuide: gem of the Westhoek
The Belfry of Diksmuide is one of the smaller belfries on the UNESCO list and was completely rebuilt after the First World War in its original Gothic style. The tower itself is not accessible, but the city hall to which the belfry is attached has an accessible entrance on the side. Diksmuide is an ideal base for accessible outings in the Westhoek, including In Flanders Fields in Ypres and the Yperman Museum just a stone's throw away.
Practical tips for a belfry tour
The towers themselves are usually not accessible. With the exception of Ghent (lift) and partly Mons, the upper floors are only reachable via stairs. Look at a belfry as an outdoor monument, not as an indoor visit.
Combine with other UNESCO sites. Many cities with a belfry also have a UNESCO beguinage. In Bruges, Ghent, Leuven and Kortrijk you can combine both for a fine themed day.
Markets and squares are often paved. The large city squares on which the belfries stand are usually laid in natural stone or cobbles. Beautiful to look at, but for a manual wheelchair this can feel bumpy - electric assistance helps.
Plan on weekdays. Belfries often stand in touristy city centres that are busy on weekends. On Tuesday or Wednesday you will more easily find an accessible parking space and a library or tourist office to take a break.
A tour along the belfries of Belgium is a journey through nine centuries of communal freedom, craftsmanship and civic pride. With a wheelchair you experience the story from the outside - and that is, given the imposing silhouettes of these towers, actually the most beautiful way.