Belfry of Tournai

The Belfry of Tournai (Beffroi de Tournai) is the oldest preserved belfry in Belgium and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list together with 32 other belfries of Belgium and France. The core of the building dates from 1188 and was repeatedly raised and embellished over the following centuries. The tower is a symbol of the urban power and wealth of Tournai in the Middle Ages.

Accessibility is limited due to the historic character of the monument. Climbing the tower is via a narrow stone spiral staircase of 257 steps, which is not possible for wheelchair users. The street-level entrance is flat and the immediate surroundings of the belfry and the Grand Place of Tournai are accessible and largely paved. Around the monument there is plenty of open space to admire the silhouette up close without climbing the tower itself.

Adapted toilets are available in the nearby Halle aux Draps or in public hospitality venues on the Grand Place. Disabled parking is possible on the edge of the car-free centre, with reserved spaces on the Rue Perdue and the Esplanade. A visit to the belfry combines excellently with the neighbouring Cathedral of Our Lady of Tournai, also UNESCO World Heritage and wheelchair accessible on the ground floor.