The best city hikes and walks around Thuin

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The Collegiate Church of Binche is one of the oldest buildings in the town. The first religious building, built in the Romanesque style, dates back to the 12th century. It was part of a monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary, then called "Moustier Sainte-Marie." The remains of this first church can be seen in the lower part of the tower, the north wall of the choir, and the western side of the nave. In 1409, the secular chapter of Lobbes Abbey settled in Binche. The canons also took with them the relics of the patron saint and first abbot of Lobbes. The new collegiate church took the name Saint Ursmer. Over the centuries, various renovations and expansions took place. In the 16th century, a major construction campaign took place, during which the choir and side chapels in particular were renovated in the late Gothic style. In 1552, the tower was completely renovated. A fire destroyed the church and the palace in 1554. In 1622, the nave was renovated, and in 1682 the tower received a Baroque spire. A major restoration of the building began in 1850, notably with the installation of new stained-glass windows. In 1898, Pierre Langerock added a chapel and a sacristy to the north.[1]

A beautiful place with nice climbs

Imposing, almost fortress-like city walls of Binche. More information: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binche?wprov=sfla1

The fortress walls of Binche (French: remparts de Binche or enceinte de Binche) are an impressive historical monument that surrounds the center of Binche. This medieval wall, built between the 12th and 14th centuries, is a witness to the city's rich history. The first wall was built in the 12th century and stretched from the current Grand Place to the middle of the rue Notre Dame. With a length of 2100 meters and 25 remaining towers, the fortress walls of Binche are the best preserved medieval wall in Belgium. They are protected as an Exceptional Heritage of Wallonia. A walk along these walls offers a fascinating insight into Binche's past.

The Municipal Park in Binche is a historical and cultural treasure. The park is built on the ruins of a former 12th-century castle. Mary of Hungary, sister of Charles V and regent of the Spanish Netherlands, decided to build a majestic palace in Binche. The architect Jacques Dubroeucq started the works in 1545 and completed them in 1549. Unfortunately, the palace was burned down by the troops of King Henry II of France, but it was restored immediately afterwards. The entire park is surrounded by the city walls and the walk is definitely worth it. On the other side of the bridge is the chapel of Saint Andrew. The park exudes an atmosphere of historic grandeur and is a beautiful place for a peaceful walk.

'In the first half of the 19th century, a Waux hall was built in Binche next to the town hall, a spectacle hall with a name taken from an English example. That building was demolished in 1932 to make way for a new theater, designed by the famous Brussels architect Paul Saintenoy. In order not to make the new theater stand out too strongly from the neighboring town hall, he opted for the neo-Renaissance style. Architect Piré was hired for the interior design. On the balcony above the three entrances are the coats of arms of Belgium, Binche and Hainaut. Suzanne Pletinckx painted murals in the reception room behind the balcony, but these were never completely completed. This theater was inaugurated in 1934, but has since been renovated.

Half of the square is surrounded by a neoclassical sculpted balustrade in bluestone on which statues commemorate illustrious figures from the history of Binche. Amidst figures such as Charles V, Margaret of York and Mary of Hungary stands a monument to Independence that was added in 1931.