Top 15 Attractions and Activities in La Louvière, Belgium

Located on what used to be Belgium’s industrial foundation, La Louvière is a city renowned for its remarkable industrial achievements.

Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites are situated in this region.

The first is a collection of four hydraulic boat elevators, established over a century ago on the Canal du Centre, designed on grand metal frameworks that elevate vessels by as much as 17 metres.

This canal continues to be an essential route for freight transportation within Belgium, and in 2002, a substantial new lift commenced operation nearby at Strépy-Thieu.

Additionally, visitors can explore the extensive measures taken by coal mining companies to ensure employee satisfaction, exemplified by the self-sufficient village surrounding Bois-du-Luc.

Although La Louvière is a relatively modern city, it possesses a deep-rooted carnival tradition that injects a sense of whimsy and festivity leading up to Shrove Tuesday.

1. Hydraulic Boat Lifts

Situated on the Canal du Centre near La Louvière, four technological marvels that seem straight out of an H.G. Wells novel elevate the region’s historic engineering legacy.

Constructed between 1888 and 1917, these hydraulic boat lifts were meticulously engineered to navigate an elevation change of over 66 metres across just seven kilometres of canal.

The lifts are arranged from east to west at Houdeng-Goegnies, Houdeng-Aimeries, Strépy-Bracquegnies, and Thieu.

Designed by English civil engineer Edwin Clark, each unit consists of two vertically movable and counterbalanced caissons, supported by a central iron column.

These remarkable structures remain operational and collectively represent a UNESCO World Heritage Site, accessible via a bi-daily cruise along the historic canal.

2. Strépy-Thieu Boatlift

The Canal du Centre underwent a significant modernization initiative, concluding in 2002, which resulted in the sidelining of the old boatlifts and centralized their operations under one remarkable megastructure.

The Strépy-Thieu Boatlift, inaugurated in 2002 after 20 years of construction, became the tallest boat lift globally at 102 metres, managing a height difference of 73.15 metres between upstream and downstream.

Featuring two counterbalanced caissons that ascend vertically, the structure maintains the same weight whether carrying a vessel or filled solely with water, courtesy of Archimedes’ Principle.

This boatlift has become a popular tourist destination, where patrons can enjoy a ride on a barge for a nominal fee.

Additionally, the eighth floor accommodates a recently renovated museum dedicated to inland navigation in Belgium.

3. Canal du Centre

The Canal du Centre spans over 20 kilometres, linking the Meuse and Scheldt Rivers.

This engineering project took centuries to materialize, primarily aimed at facilitating coal transport, yet the almost 100-metre elevation between the two rivers presented a significant challenge until advancements in engineering were achieved at the turn of the 20th century.

Following over 30 years of development, hindered by debates regarding economic feasibility and the First World War, the canal commenced operations in 1919. A parallel waterway constructed in 2002 accommodates larger vessels, allowing contemporary trade to bypass the traditional lifts.

Departing from the modern Strépy-Thieu Boatlift, two cruises operate daily on the historic canal, providing an exceptional view of these industrial masterpieces.

Visitors may also traverse the towpath, stopping at Houdeng-Aimeries to admire a charming old swing bridge that spans the canal.

4. Keramis-Centre de la Ceramique

The historic Boch earthenware factory, listed as a heritage site, now houses a distinguished museum dedicated to ceramics.

The Boch Collection features an exceptional compilation of 19th and 20th-century earthenware, showcasing works by master artisans and esteemed industrial designers such as Charles Catteau (1880-1966), known for his elegant Art Deco vases.

The exhibition further narrates the company’s history and elucidates the manufacturing techniques employed.

Supporting this narrative are three enormous bottle kilns, preserved on-site for educational purposes.

Keramis also delves into the realm of ceramics through meticulously curated exhibitions highlighting historical figures, movements, and contemporary ceramic artists.

5. Mining Site Bois-du-Luc

This coalmine, located just outside La Louvière and part of the Major Mining Sites of Wallonia UNESCO World Heritage Site, ceased operations in the 1970s.

With origins tracing back to 1685, Bois-du-Luc’s prominence spikes in the 19th century, particularly regarding its significance during the Industrial Revolution.

What captures interest is the well-preserved miners’ village surrounding the mine, emblematic of social paternalism, which includes residences, offices, and a performance venue, all distinctly separated from the pithead and workshops.

This site grants a unique perspective into the lives of 19th-century workers, as the village was constructed with their welfare in mind, featuring shops, a mill/brewery, schools, a hospital, a care home, a library, and a park.

Visitors have the opportunity to borrow bicycles to explore how nature has reclaimed the mine’s slag heaps, now enveloped by woodland.

6. Musée Royal de Mariemont

Industrialist and philanthropist Raoul Warocqué (1870-1917) bequeathed a considerable and diverse collection of art and antiquities to the Belgian state upon his passing during the First World War.

This extensive collection was initially housed in Warocqué’s opulent Neoclassical mansion, which was unfortunately lost to a fire in 1960, although its invaluable contents were preserved.

The current museum, opened in 1975 on the same estate, boasts an impressive range of Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and East Asian antiquities, recently enhanced by contributions of Pre-Columbian artifacts.

Warocqué was equally passionate about local archaeology, housing a fascinating assortment of Gallo-Roman and Merovingian artifacts unearthed in Hainault.

Additionally, the museum presents one of the most exquisite collections of Tournai porcelain globally, and its extensive library holds manuscripts, incunabula, and notable printed works spanning from the 16th to the 21st centuries, including letters from figures such as Napoleon, Rembrandt, Diderot, Beethoven, and The Beatles.

Outside, visitors may explore the estate’s 45 hectares of beautifully landscaped English gardens.

7. MiLL

The former courthouse in La Louvière, built in the Neoclassical style in 1900, serves as the home for the city’s art collection.

MiLL, inaugurated in 1987, underwent renovations in the 2000s, incorporating cartoon characters to guide younger visitors through the exhibits.

This museum boasts the largest collection of works by Romanian-born 20th-century sculptor Idel Ianchelevici (1909-1994) of any museum worldwide.

Exhibits of marbles, plaster casts, bronzes and medallions, along with Ianchelevici’s drawings, hold a prominent display on the ground floor, while the upper level is reserved for temporary contemporary art exhibitions.

8. Centre de la Gravure et de l’Image Imprimée

This museum focuses on engravings and contemporary printed art, featuring a substantial collection that spans from the latter half of the 20th century to the present.

It houses 10,000 individual prints, approximately 2,000 posters, and 1,000 books and portfolios produced by 1,640 contemporary artists from Belgium and abroad.

The collection encompasses a wide array of media, ranging from traditional prints to cutting-edge technologies, as well as graphic art, typography, illustration, comics, and much more.

Housed in a structure built in 1930 that initially operated as a swimming pool, later becoming a factory and flea market, the centre opened in the 1980s and was renovated just over a decade ago.

Visitors can discover several concurrent exhibitions during their visit, with additional material related to these shows available at the centre’s gift shop.

9. La Louve

The name La Louvière is derived from the Old French term Menaulu (meigne au leu), denoting “Wolf’s Lair,” which may reference the prevalence of wolves in the previously forested area during Medieval times.

Nevertheless, the evocative nomenclature of La Louvière has inspired legends akin to Rome, featuring a tale of a wolf nurturing a human child.

This imaginative narrative is embodied in a sculpture located at the roundabout at Place de la Louve, representing a reimagined version of Rome’s medieval Capitoline Wolf statue, albeit without the accompanying figures of Romulus and Remus.

Established in 1953, this monument is the result of a collaborative effort between architect Marcel Depelsenaire and sculptor Alphonse Darville.

10. Domaine de la Louve

For those seeking fresh air and lush greenery, a short journey of a couple of kilometres southwest leads to this well-maintained public park.

A significant portion of Domaine de la Louve has been allowed to thrive naturally, creating vibrant meadows that serve as a sanctuary for butterflies during the summer months.

The park is home to over 80 species of trees and shrubs, offering the opportunity to spot kestrels overhead and a profusion of feral parakeets.

Moreover, the park features facilities including a playground for children and an outdoor fitness trail.

11. International Museum of Carnival and Mask

A brief fifteen-minute drive to Binche will lead visitors to this museum, which highlights the local UNESCO-recognized carnival traditions while also curating an extensive collection of international masks and disguises.

Accommodated within an 18th-century former Augustinian school, the galleries guide you through diverse rituals and festivals celebrated across the globe.

The exhibit showcases masked ceremonies from Arctic indigenous cultures, Asian theatre masks, and traditional African rituals.

In the 2019-20 exhibition, the focus was on costumes, ritualistic artifacts, and masks pertaining to Brazil’s largest indigenous ethnic group, the Ticuna.

The Binche Carnival takes center stage, featuring a new permanent gallery that provides comprehensive insights into this highly coded celebration.

This exhibition articulates the festival’s Medieval roots, particularly focusing on the unique figures known as “Gilles,” who take to the streets throughout Shrove Tuesday.

12. Cinéma Stuart

While it may seem peculiar today, upon the current manager’s acquisition of Cinéma Stuart on Rue Sylvain Guyaux in 1977, it was the last significant cinema in the entire Centre region.

Established in 1956, Cinéma Stuart has flourished under the management of Giovanni Pescatore, expanding from a single auditorium to seven and hosting concerts, seminars, and even opera performances alongside film screenings.

The cinema’s popularity continues to rise, even amidst the challenges posed by modern multiplexes in Mons and Charleroi, while ticket prices remain affordable.

Comfortable seating and delightful popcorn enhance the experience, although being situated in Wallonia means films are presented in full-cast dubbing rather than subtitles.

13. Château de Seneffe

For a pleasant day trip, consider a 10-kilometre drive to this 18th-century Neoclassical château owned by the French Community of Belgium.

Inside, the permanent exhibition titled Faste et Intimité (Luxury and Privacy) celebrates the design and decorative arts of the 18th century.

The silverware collection encompasses 500 pieces, including snuff boxes, candelabras, jugs, liturgical objects, cafetières, and chandeliers, all thoughtfully arranged according to their functions.

Visitors can also learn about the beauty secrets of affluent 18th-century women and view a genuine cabinet of curiosities, featuring Chinese vases, taxidermies, and exotic spices and botanicals from various regions of the world.

The estate itself is expansive, spanning 22 hectares with formal gardens, an orangery (featuring a brasserie), an aviary, and an assortment of 19th-century follies, including a Neoclassical theater.

On weekends, patrons can enjoy the “Flavours of Enlightenment” tea room, offering tea, coffee, and chocolate—luxuries greatly prized in 18th-century France.

14. Ronquières Inclined Plane

At Seneffe, the Canal du Centre merges with the notable Brussels-Charleroi Canal, a 65-kilometre waterway completed in 1832. For those captivated by La Louvière’s industrial legacy, this canal provides additional exploration opportunities.

Noteworthy, located about 15 kilometres north of La Louvière, is the Ronquières inclined plane.

This engineering marvel extends more than 1,430 metres and was constructed in the 1960s as an innovative solution for vessels to navigate a slope, avoiding the wait associated with traversing 14 locks.

The inclined plane operates using two large caissons mounted on rails, pulled by cables, and requires approximately 22 minutes to transition between the two canal levels.

A scenic bike ride along the gentle towpaths from La Louvière to Charleroi can also be accomplished in approximately 90 minutes.

15. La Louvière Carnival

The carnival in La Louvière, similar to several others throughout Wallonia, is referred to as Laetare, originating from the Latin word meaning “rejoice.” This vibrant event unfolds across three days from Sunday until Shrove Tuesday, featuring a lively presence of La Louvière’s Gilles characters throughout.

These figures are the carnival’s highlight, adorned in oversized feather hats and ensuring the festivities remain lively. On Sunday, they synchronize with traditional music for the rondeau dances while distributing oranges in the city center.

The Sunday festivities conclude with a fireworks display, and Monday sees the Gilles returning in the morning to maintain the festive atmosphere.

An elaborate procession occurs on this day, starting from Place Maugrétout to Place Mansart and featuring the city’s processional giants in an 800-strong parade.

Shrove Tuesday culminates in a colorful display of costumes, with the carnival concluding in a symbolic event known as the Brûlage des Bosses, where a puppet clad as a Gille is ceremoniously burned on a bonfire.