About the city and the twinning
About Tournai
Tournai is a historic city in the province of Hainaut, in western Belgium’s Wallonia region. It lies on the banks of the Scheldt River near the French border. One of Belgium’s oldest cities, Tournai traces its history back to Roman times and was an early centre of the Frankish kingdom associated with King Clovis I.
The city is best known for its Notre-Dame Cathedral, whose five towers dominate the skyline. The cathedral’s Romanesque nave and Gothic choir reflect two distinct periods of medieval architecture. Both the cathedral and Tournai’s belfry, the oldest in Belgium, are UNESCO World Heritage landmarks. Nearby, the Grand-Place forms the heart of the old city, with historic façades and streets leading down to the river.