TRAVEL
Set in the picturesque region of Hainaut , Belgium , lies the enchanting city of Mons , a destination brimming with history , culture and a vibrant artistic spirit . It offers the perfect combination of immersive street art , intriguing feministforward history and welcoming hospitality ( with some great Belgium chocolate and beer !) as Samantha Ready discovered on a whistlestop weekend tour …
It ’ s no secret that Kent boasts one of the easiest connections to our continental European neighbours , yet when planning a short hop across the Channel , I have to be forgiven for not usually considering the smaller towns of Belgium as an end destination . A mistake I will wholeheartedly not make again , for there lies many a hidden gem just waiting to be discovered , and front and centre in my new found arts-and-culture centric mini-break love affair is Mons .
Travelling with ease courtesy of Irish Ferries ’ s regular sailings from Dover , with the handy addition of downtime with copious coffee and pastries in the secluded lounge , travel time to the quaint Belgium town is a little over two scenic hours ’ drive from Calais , and it is a world apart from its French neighbour ’ s hustle and bustle .
Boasting a rich tapestry of history dating back centuries , a medieval heritage , a fascinating past with a feminist-forward legacy , UNESCO-listed buildings , a proud war effort and an utter dedication to art that veers between proudly displayed artwork by local school children , iconic street art trails and a new for 2024 winter light festival , Mons En Lumières , with ease , Mons offers a unique and utterly enthralling city break .
Named European Capital of Culture in 2015 , Mons has actively and notably prioritised both its heritage and its arts-forward approach to contemporary culture . The result is an inclusive and eclectic tapestry of contemporary street art trails , immersive art installations and stunning historic architectural wonders - and that ’ s not forgetting a myriad of museums , unique hotels , some great dining , a much-loved monkey and a rather unique Doudou Festival .
The best way to explore Mons is on a guided tour .
As part of the Art Lives in the City project , visitors here can embark on a guided tour combining heritage and urban works of art that includes the Metamorphoses track , which boasts some 20 works of art across the city , pushing back the walls of classical cultural institutions and reclaimed public spaces .
Instantly bonded with our guide Catherine Stilmant over a shared love of chocolate - ( both Belgium and the humble Cadbury ’ s ), we embarked on a two-hour stride across the town starting at Visit Mons , which is conveniently situated in Grand Place , the town square home to the stunning
Town Hall . We rubbed the aforementioned monkey who adorns the Town Hall ’ s front wall , and whose legend is used as a deterrent for ‘ naughty ’ behaviour in local children . We stood in awe under the balcony from which notable dignitaries have observed the annual Doudou Festival , an immersive celebration of George and the Dragon , which builds from kids in dress up to adults ‘ fighting ’ the dragon and has been attended by our own Prince William and Princess Kate no less ! We ambled streets festooned with giant colourful murals , quirky Banksy-esque installations and ascended the UNESCO-listed Belfry ; a site to behold itself with its bells and stunning Baroque architecture , it also offers unrivalled views of the city beyond . We visited incredible churches , sampled delicious chocolate ( but of course ) and obtained tickets to Mons Memorial Museum , a contemporary retracing of Mons ’ story through the wars and its unique Allied relationship with the US .
Aside from the permanent open-air Art Lives in the City exhibition , Mons also embarks on annual showcases of artistic expression . 2024 saw the 1st Festival Des Lumiéres ( monsenlumieres . be / en ), an ambitious weekend-long festival which saw 26 installations scattered across a 3km circular route around the town . Celebrating the 100th anniversary of surrealism , and with a theme of surrealism and poetry , Mons By Light featured Scottish-born , globally acclaimed contemporary artist ( and Kent resident !) Robert Montgomery , renowned for his poetic billboards , fire poems and light installations , with his work The People You Love Became Ghosts Inside of You amassing over 200 million shares !
Running from 6.30pm to midnight , the completely free trail , which could be joined at any point of the 26 trail stops and consisted of an eclectic mix of street installations , burning poetry and stunning laser projections to music , was , frankly , incredible .
If it returns , which I hold every hope for , you simply must visit !
A WHISTLESTOP WEEKEND IN MONS
WHERE TO STAY :
Martin ’ s Dream Hotel
Take one 19th-century , neo-gothic chapel , throw in some contemporary interior design , effortless service and brasserie style dining and you ’ ll find a unique hotel offering just a few minutes ’ walk from the main town square .
Offering 62 contemporary bedrooms , many boasting original gothic windows and each decorated to a different theme , stays are cosy and comfortable . The restaurant , itself an eclectic clash of original architecture and modern design - baptismal font dining table anyone ? - offers modern Belgium brasserie cuisine bursting with locally sourced produce .
www . insidekent . co . uk • 145