Tournai, Municipal city in Walloon region, Belgium
Tournai sits on the banks of the Scheldt in Wallonia, roughly 89 kilometers southwest of Brussels and 24 meters above sea level. Medieval lanes lead to a large central square surrounded by Flemish architecture and cobbled paths along the river.
In the 5th century, the settlement served as the first capital of the Frankish Empire under Clovis I, who was born here. Later, control shifted repeatedly between French and Burgundian powers until it finally passed into the Kingdom of the Netherlands and then modern Belgium.
The name derives from the Latin Turnacum, which refers to a Celtic settlement still visible in the urban fabric today. Residents often gather at the Grand-Place, where cafés and weekly markets shape everyday life.
Guided tours help with orientation through winding lanes, while bicycle rental gives easy access to riverside paths and parks. Most streets in the historic core are pedestrian friendly, and information panels in several languages make visits easier.
Since 1092, an annual procession takes place, recalling a plague epidemic and gathering hundreds of participants in period costumes. Along the route, traditional relics are carried, accompanied by local customs that are centuries old.
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