City Hall and the Medieval Cellar

Surrounded by a pleasant park, Tournai’s elegant City Hall stands on the former site of an old monastery, the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Martin which dates back to the 11th century. Although most of the abbatial buildings have disappeared, the impressive remains of a medieval cellar can still be found beneath the City Hall ! A part of porcelain collection is exhibited in this medieval cellar.

The City Hall’s medieval cellar has been remarkably well restored. It is just part of Tournai’s vast underground heritage, hidden below the city’s houses and public buildings. In collaboration with the non-profit organisations Pasquier Grenier and Amis de la Citadelle, the City of Tournai has launched a collaborative programme to draw up a list of all medieval cellars lying beneath the City with 5 Steeples.

Like the one located under the Tourist Office, these ancient structures of stone and columns were built during the 12th century and there are more of them than you might think! This truly mysterious heritage evades your unsuspecting footsteps as you visit the heart of the city...

The Region’s one and only Abbey Beer!

Saint-Martin beer, the region’s only abbey brew, is made following a recipe dating from 1096. It takes its name from the old abbey that stood where Tournai City Hall now presides. You don’t have to wait to taste thislocal beer at one of the many cafés of Tournai!