The best city hikes and walks around Mouscron

Marcel Marlier was born in Herseaux, a district of Mouscron. He studied at the Saint-Luc School in Tournai, where he later became a teacher. After winning an illustration competition, he began his career as an illustrator of children's books. In 1954, he and Gilbert Delahaye launched the "Tiny" children's book series, published by Casterman. The first book was titled "Tiny on the Farm," and more than fifty years later, the sixtieth book was published. Marlier died in 2011 at the age of 80 from cancer. On September 29, 2015, the museum "Centre Marcel-Marlier, dessine-moi Martine" opened here. Source: Wikipedia

The Castle of the Counts is the only example of monumental civil architecture from before the 19th century in Mouscron. Four great families of Seigneurs succeeded one another here over six centuries. Today, on this vast estate, you can still admire the Tournai-style castle, as well as a farmyard surrounded by the remains of outbuildings from the 16th and 17th centuries, and a site surrounded by moats. A self-guided walk around the moats offers you the opportunity to explore the entire estate. Two major historical events have left a lasting mark on local tradition and folklore: the visit of Charles V, who spent the night in the castle, and the atrocities of the famous Hurlus, followers of Luther (during the Wars of Religion) who pillaged the region, occupied the castle for three months, and stole its furnishings. Source: visitwapi.be

In the church, a reclining statue of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, encased in a glass coffin, can be seen. Its history lies in a promise made in gratitude by the Bonnave-Dubar family, who lived in Lowingen: in 1923, they purchased the reclining statue from the Carmelite monastery in Lisieux, France. This statue had been used for the transfer of the relics of Blessed Thérèse Martin, a Carmelite nun. The Sacred Congregation for Rites granted the Bonnave-Dubar family permission to place this statue in the church of Luingne in a letter dated December 10, 1923. It was solemnly consecrated on March 2, 1924. On June 28, 1924, the statue was placed in the Bonnave-Dubar family's relics. Source: Information sign on site

Lowingen/Luingne, now a submunicipality of Mouscron, had its first church as early as 1117. It was a Romanesque church building that was damaged by iconoclasts in 1566. Louis XIV's troops also caused damage, which was repaired in 1676. In the 19th century, the church was deemed too small and was demolished. A new, neo-Gothic church was built in 1849, designed by Pierre Croquison, and consecrated in 1850. The three-aisled brick church has a tower at the front, which is over 42 meters high. The church furnishings are mainly neo-Gothic. Source: Wikipedia

The "Pont Blanc Educational Reserve" is a small site located along the railway line. The soil is unusual... and produces unusual plants (including orchids) and insects (including the small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly). Several educational information boards are located in the area.

Looks like well maintained, let's hope it keep on going. It was very humid today, yet not slippery.

According to tradition, the Romanesque church of Dottignies was built in the 12th century by the monks of the Augustinian Abbey of Cysoing, founded around 850 by Saint Everard. Nothing contradicts this. The masonry of the tower, the only remaining part, is indeed in the style of that period. The profile and construction technique of the spire's framework suggest it dates no earlier than the second half of the 18th century. On September 3, 1786, two new bells were consecrated. Around 1811, the church was described as dilapidated and too small for the population it served. In 1839, a heated debate arose. The local authorities strongly demanded the demolition of the old tower, while the Permanent Deputation did everything in its power to preserve it. The debate ended with the province and the Ministry of Justice refusing subsidies. Thanks to this last resort, the old tower escaped demolition. In 1841, the Ghent architect Roelandt reconciled the opposing views with a study that respected the bell tower but reversed the church's orientation. His project was awarded 50,000 francs. Source: www.stleger.info Much has changed since 1925. The old bell tower served as a fire station for a few years before finally being renovated and converted into a venue for local festivities.

"Ecole maternelle" is written on the façade... but the style of the lettering on the side wall, "Dottignies - Saint Léger," clearly refers to the building's former function: a train station. This station was located on the now-defunct railway line 85 (Leupegem-Herzeeuw). Although located in Dottignies (now part of Mouscron), it also served the village of Saint-Léger, a sub-municipality of Estaimpuis. The station building was converted into a nursery school in 1968.