Mons Travel Guide, Belgium

Although Mons is a successful city in terms of commerce, it is often unnoticed by tourists. But if they look closely, they will see that the city has a lot to offer. It has plenty of historical and cultural attractions. A glimpse to this wonderful Belgian city is seen in the Mons Travel Guide.

Mons Travel Guide - Overview

Mons is the capital of the Hainaut Province and it belongs to the region of Wallonia. The city was formerly named as Castrilocus and Montes. It lies on the slopes of a small hill situated near the French border. Mons is the administrative seat of Hainaut.

It is also a supply and commercial hub of one of the largest mining and industrial regions of the country which is Borinage. The economy of Mons is also boosted by the different industries such as textiles, leather goods, metals, and pharmaceuticals. The inland harbor of the city is the primary trade center of coal from the Borinage.

Mons Travel Guide – Travel

There are several ways to reach Mons. People coming from different parts of the world can choose to ride planes that will arrive at either Brussels Airport or Brussels South Charleroi Airport. From Brussels, there are plenty of transportation options to get into Mons.

Another way to get into the city is by railway. Numerous trains travel regularly from Mons to Brussels and other cities in Belgium. The city is actually a junction between France and Belgium.

Tourists who travel by car can take the E19/E42 motorway which connects the city to Brussels and Paris. Mons is located 65km away from Belgium’s capital city. The whole city can be traversed by a taxi or a bus while the city center can be explored on foot. Mons is also served by free shuttle rides that go along three circuits. The schedule of the trip is from 7am until 9pm.

Mons Travel Guide – Climate

Mons has a fair and mild climate. The weather is not too hot nor is it too cold. July and August are considered the warmest months in which the highest average temperature is 71 degrees Fahrenheit. January is the coolest month in which the lowest average temperature is 31 degrees Fahrenheit. June and November are the wettest month in which the average precipitation measures at 3.1 inches. February is the driest month in which the average rainfall measures at 2.1 inches.

Mons Travel Guide – Events and Festivals

Owing it to the city’s rich culture, Mons celebrates numerous events and festivals all year round. The most famous festival of Mons is the Doudou which is also sometimes called the Ducasse. This is a week-long event which kicks off annually during the Trinity Sunday. It is comprised of a series of activities which are organized throughout the week. The festival starts with the handing over of Saint Waltrude’s reliquary to the mayor on the eve of the parade.

The next day is highlighted by a colorful parade of costumed participants along with the golden carriage wherein the reliquary is placed. Another main feature of the Doudou is the Lumecon fight which is listed among the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of the Humanity.

People should explore Mons in order to see that it is not just a plain modern city promising greatness in commerce. As reflected in Mons Travel Guide, it is also a city of history, tradition and culture like its neighboring city of Liege.