Ath: Gallo-Roman boats, giants and Tour Burbant

Ath offers several distinct cultural experiences: the Espace Gallo-Romain explores the world of Roman Gaul, the Maison des Géants is dedicated to giant figures, and Tour Burbant adds an architectural highlight. The time of year can also shape the focus of your stay. The museum offers exhibitions, guided tours, workshops and activities throughout the year; the Ducasse and St. Joseph’s macaroons, by contrast, are tied to specific dates. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Ath, this distinction can help you plan: would you rather base your trip around the museum’s offerings or a local tradition?

Gallo-Roman boats at the Espace Gallo-Romain

The Espace Gallo-Romain is an archaeological museum about the lives of the inhabitants of Roman Gaul 2,000 years ago. Among the exceptionally well-preserved Gallo-Roman boats from Pommeroeul kept by the museum are a barge and a canoe. The barge on display has been restored and is nearly 2,000 years old. This gives the historical theme a concrete anchor in two surviving watercraft, rather than relying solely on a date.

The Espace Gallo-Romain offers exhibitions, guided tours, workshops and activities throughout the year. Check the dates before travelling if you want to attend a particular event. Visitors with reduced mobility can use accessible toilets, a lift and ramps. Confirm the current information about these facilities before your visit.

Giant figures and the Ducasse

The Maison des Géants is housed in a mansion in the Louis XV style and offers an insight into the world of giant figures. The museum opens free of charge on the first Sunday of every month; if this date suits your trip, check the latest visitor information in advance.

The giants also feature in the Ducasse, celebrated in Ath for more than five centuries on the fourth weekend of every August. Their bearers lift figures several metres tall and weighing more than 100 kilograms. These measurements make the physical effort involved in this tradition tangible. If you are especially interested in the Ducasse, the fourth weekend of August is the key date to plan around.

Tour Burbant: dimensions and views

Tour Burbant is classified as a major Walloon heritage monument. It is nearly 20 metres high and 14 metres wide, with walls up to 4 metres thick. These figures convey the tower’s size and massive construction. From the keep, there are panoramic views over present-day Ath. The outlines of Vauban’s former fortifications are also visible: the view thus connects the cityscape today with visible traces of older fortifications.

Tour Burbant can be visited by prior reservation. Confirm the current reservation requirements before your visit. This allows you to include the tower in your plans without assuming that walk-in access is available.

Getting around, arrival and timing

A Totemus treasure hunt follows a 3-kilometre route through the city centre. It explores the history of the city of giants and its Gallo-Roman connections. Check in advance whether the app is available for the way you plan to use it. The route thus combines a specific distance with the two themes that also shape Ath’s cultural history.

For orientation when arriving: Ath railway station is less than 500 metres from the Grand’Place. St. Joseph’s macaroons are spiral-shaped sweets sold in March for the Feast of Saint Joseph. The seasonal occasions in Ath are therefore clearly distinct: the Espace Gallo-Romain offers activities all year round, the Ducasse is tied to the fourth weekend of August, and the macaroons are a March tradition. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you can choose your travel dates according to which of these cultural aspects you would like to experience.

Discover more destinations: Ghislenghien, Arbre, Écaussinnes, Froidchapelle, Thuin, Aiseau-Presles, Leernes, Mont-De-L'enclus.

For the regional travel overview: Hainaut.