Discover Pont-À-Celles: Nature, Culture and Trails

Pont-À-Celles combines nature experiences with an unusually diverse cultural history. Étang de Launoy lies on the outskirts of the village, along the Brussels–Charleroi Canal. Its varied habitats make the pond an interesting destination for passing nature observers. When planning a trip, you can make it a landscape-focused stop and combine it with historic sites, regional traditions and well-signposted trails.

Ponds, nature reserves and designated trails

Two well-signposted trails circle Étang de Launoy: the Sentier du Torcol and the Sentier du Loriot. As Étang de Launoy is accessible to everyone, this natural attraction can easily be incorporated into your day’s plans. For further walking experiences, a total of ten hiking trails are designated and signposted in Pont-à-Celles. There is also a designated and signposted mountain-bike trail. When choosing your holiday apartment or holiday home, you can therefore consider whether walks, longer hikes or a bike ride should be the focus of your trip.

The Viesville nature reserve also tells the story of how the landscape has changed. It lies on land created by the modernisation of the Charleroi–Brussels Canal and reclaimed by naturally occurring vegetation. In 1995, the recognised nature reserve was expanded to 45 hectares. Viesville also has signposted walking routes maintained and/or designated by the organisation “Viesville Vert et Vivant”. An educational nature garden was created on the grounds of the former Moulin du Fichaux.

Culture surrounding Django Reinhardt

Pont-À-Celles is closely associated with the name Jean-Baptiste Reinhardt, who became known as “Django”. He was born on 23 January 1910 in Liberchies (Pont-à-Celles). Since 2003, a Manouche jazz festival in honour of Django Reinhardt has been held every May in Liberchies. This connection between local history and musical tradition gives the municipality a distinct cultural character.

The cultural landscape also includes two Walloon heritage sites: the Castellum in Liberchies-Brunehaut is an archaeological site, while the Gallo-Roman settlement of Les Bons-Villers recalls a much earlier era. The Tour de la Madeleine passes through Thiméon in Pont-à-Celles and the site of Têre Al’Danse. It is a 22-kilometre religious procession. If you are interested in regional history, religious traditions or music, these different themes can shape your trip planning.

Getting there and choosing your base

For travel by train, Luttre station is relevant. It is located on line 124, with connections towards Bruxelles-Midi and Charleroi-Sud. The Pont-à-Celles Nord and Obaix-Buzet stops are also on line 117 between La Louvière-Sud and Charleroi-Sud. This information can help you check, before searching for a holiday apartment or holiday home, which route and base best suit your plans. Aérodrome de Buzet was also the first official ultralight-aircraft airfield established in Belgium.

Local impressions for planning your trip

The Pont-à-Celles weekly market takes place every Thursday morning on the Place communale. In addition, the municipal orchards are intended for public fruit picking. Both details highlight the local character of the town and may play a role when planning a day away from the natural and cultural sites.

If you would like to extend your search to another location, you can also find information about Luttre here. Other destinations for your research include Boussu, Frameries, Froidchapelle, Tournai, Braine-Le-Comte, Aiseau-Presles and Ham-Sur-Heure-Nalinnes.

For the broader travel overview: Hainaut.