Charleroi is a big city in Wallonia with a fascinating history and loads of sights. Located south of the Belgian capital, it's easy to combine your stay in Charleroi with a day of shopping or an evening out in Brussels.
Charleroi owes its name to the Spanish, who changed it in the 17th century from Charnoy to Charleroi. At the beginning of the 20th century, Charleroi grew into an industrial town with many factories and mines, traces of which you can still see today.
In addition to its airport and industry, Charleroi is also renowned for its cartoon characters Lucky Luke, Gaston, and Spirou et Fantasio. You'll see statues of them across the city, for example, on your way to the centuries-old Sunday market.
A lot of the city was destroyed, so there aren't many old buildings. One of the few that are still standing is the belfry, which was built at the beginning of the 20th century and is part of Charleroi's city hall. Make sure to visit one of the city's museums, such as the Museum of Photography or Palace for Fine Arts of Charleroi.
Charleroi’s proximity to Brussels makes it easy to spend a day in the country's capital. You can see Manneken Pis, the Atomium and enjoy a cool beer at one of the many cafés on Grote Markt.
Charleroi is one of the biggest cities in Wallonia. The centre is easy to explore on foot and you can catch a bus if you want to explore the area outside of town. If you're planning on spending a day in Brussels, the train or car are the best ways to travel.
If you're travelling by public transport, take the train from St Pancras and change in Brussels for Charleroi. If you're travelling by car, take the ferry from Dover and head towards Lille. You can also fly to Brussels or Antwerp and take the train from there or hire a car.
Enjoy the cultural activities Charleroi has to offer. What are you waiting for?
