About the city and the twinning
About Tournai
Tournai is a historic city on the River Scheldt in the province of Hainaut, in Belgium’s Wallonia region, near the French border. One of Belgium’s oldest cities, it traces its history to Roman times and was an early centre of the Frankish kingdom associated with King Clovis I. The Grand-Place forms the heart of the historic centre.
Tournai’s skyline is marked by the five towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral, whose Romanesque nave and Gothic choir reflect different stages of medieval architecture. The cathedral and the city’s belfry, the oldest in Belgium, are both inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Twinning with Bethlehem
Bethlehem Municipality records 28 February 2012 as the twinning date. Tournai’s municipal account traces the start of the relationship to a 2012 visit to Tournai by Bethlehem’s mayor and governor. In May 2022, the two municipalities renewed their cooperation and twinning agreement, which covers social and cultural cooperation.
The relationship has also brought together health and rehabilitation professionals. In March 2024, Tournai hosted a delegation from the Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation for a series of meetings and events.