Péruwelz: Canal, Forest and Cultural Heritage

Péruwelz offers more than one main attraction: the marina opens up views of canal boating, while museums and historic buildings offer insights into cultural history. Forest and cross-border hiking routes are also among the themes that can shape a stay. When choosing your holiday rental, consider which of these aspects interests you most—water, forest or cultural heritage—and plan your discoveries accordingly.

Cultural history between craftsmanship and architecture

The Musée du cuir traces the journey of leather from raw hide to finished product. The sequence of steps provides a thread through the museum visit. The Musée du cuir et des industries is housed in the former workshop of shoemaker Catiane, an 18th-century building in the Tournai style. Here, a tangible connection to craftsmanship meets a historic building.

Another building with a notable date stands on the Grand-Place: House no. 2 in Péruwelz dates from 1777 and has window bays in the Tournai style. At the church in Péruwelz, large fluted columns and domes above the side aisles and ambulatory stand out. These architectural details offer cultural enthusiasts different points of interest, without requiring you to focus on a single theme.

The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Bon-Secours is open continuously from 8 am to 7 pm Monday to Saturday, and from 9 am to 7 pm on Sundays. Check the opening hours again before setting out. At the Church of Saint-Michel in Braffe, the masonry of the flat-ended choir appears to date from the early 13th century.

A summer tradition also adds its own distinctive touch: in Péruwelz, the major festival takes place on the Sunday closest to the feast of Saint Anne. It honours the patron saint of craftspeople who work with needle and thread. If you would like to plan your stay around it, check the exact date in advance.

By the canal: a destination for recreational boaters

The Péruwelz marina is on the Nimy-Blaton-Péronnes Canal. From there, the canal offers boating along a 44-kilometre stretch without a lock. The two berths, Darse du Moulin and Darse Simon, are reserved for recreational boaters, in addition to the annual moorings. Together, they provide space for around 60 boats. The berths for recreational boaters are on a 44-kilometre canal stretch without a lock.

Choose your forest landscape and trails with care

The Bon-Secours state forest extends partly into Péruwelz; the Belgian part of the forest massif reaches as far as Blaton. Together with 470 hectares of the French section and private woodlands, it forms a forest area of 1,200 hectares. Its scale and cross-border extent give the forest a different scope from the individual buildings in the town.

The Explor'forêt interpretation centre introduces visitors to the basics of the forest ecosystem. There is also a wide range of hiking routes, many of them cross-border. Those who want to focus on trails and nature can give these aspects a different weight in their plans than a visit to museums or churches. Escale forestière is accessible from Péruwelz SNCB railway station, 3 kilometres away, and by TEC bus route 8; check transport details before travelling.

One of the special experiences is the Promenoir des Cimes: the 50-metre-long bridge takes visitors to the treetops at a height of 16 metres. La Pic'orée is one of the family-friendly areas among the activities on offer in Péruwelz.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Wiers, Bon-Secours, Bernissart, Mons, Enghien, Pont-À-Celles, Hensies, Macon.

For the overarching travel guide: Hainaut.