Thuin

Thuin is built on a steep spur above the Sambre and is divided sharply between the upper town on the ridge and the boatmen's quarter along the river below. The upper town has a belfry of 1639, all that remains of the collegiate church, listed among the Belgian belfries and climbable, and the ramparts of the old fortification. Below the ridge, on the slope between the two, are the hanging gardens: terraced allotments cut into the hillside and held by dry stone walls, worked for centuries and still cultivated, running in steps down toward the river. The Ville Basse along the water was the quarter of the Sambre boatmen, with narrow houses and a preserved tramway museum operating heritage trams up the valley.

What you actually see

• The hanging gardens - terraced allotments in dry stone down the slope.
• The 1639 belfry - the surviving tower of the collegiate church, climbable.
• The boatmen's quarter - narrow houses along the Sambre below.
• Heritage trams - the preserved tramway running up the valley.

When to go

April to October for the gardens and the trams, which run seasonally. Half a day. The belfry has limited opening. Weekends are when the tramway operates most services.

Honest expectations

The gardens are private allotments seen from the paths, not a public garden. The tramway runs only on certain days in season. The climb between the lower and upper town is steep. Interpretation is in French.

Nearby

Aulne Abbey is downstream; Charleroi lies north-east.