The Tour Sainte-Gertrude: The Ultimate Blend of Sport and Walloon Folklore

It all starts very early. At 6:45 AM, the procession leaves the Grand-Place in Nivelles. Participants accompany the carriage carrying the relics of Saint Gertrude along a 14-kilometer route through the town and countryside.

The Tour is not a race. Its charm lies precisely in its pace: walking together, taking in the landscapes, and sharing in a tradition handed down through centuries. The first written records of the procession date back to 1276. Since 2004, the Tour Sainte-Gertrude has been recognized as Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

It effortlessly bridges three dimensions rarely combined so naturally: physical activity, living heritage, and tourism.

After several hours of walking, the return to the town center reveals another facet of the city. Take time to pause on the Grand-Place, visit the Collegiate Church of Saint Gertrude, or sit down for a delicious meal. A trip to Nivelles would also be incomplete without sampling the famous tarte al djote.

For this exceptional jubilee edition, festivities continue at 3:30 PM with the Historic and Religious Entry (Rentrée historique et religieuse), followed by the Te Deum in the Collegiate Church. Throughout 2026, a comprehensive program accompanies the jubilee, featuring exhibitions, lectures, and special activities celebrating the 750th Tour.

Heading back toward Charleroi, the connection between sport and folklore continues. The region boasts several routes that turn hiking into a true journey of discovery. The most iconic is undoubtedly the Boucle Noire (Black Loop), an extension of the GR412 trail spanning roughly 22 kilometers.

Starting in Charleroi, the trail traverses the slag heaps of Le Martinet as well as the chain of slag heaps through Dampremy and La Docherie. Hikers climb four slag heaps along the trek, immersed in landscapes where nature and industrial heritage stand side by side.

After 14 kilometers in Nivelles, the 22 kilometers of the Boucle Noire are reserved for the most ambitious. However, there is no requirement to hike the entire loop: the individual slag heaps and sites can easily be explored separately.

Do your legs need a gentler plan? Head to downtown Charleroi for the Carolo Street Art Tour. This 5.4-kilometer walking route connects 19 stops between the lower and upper town. Murals, sculptures, street furniture, and art installations set the pace for this two-hour stroll.

Here again, the same guiding principle applies as for the Tour Sainte-Gertrude: walking becomes a way of sightseeing.

In Nivelles, the route tells the story of centuries of folklore and religious heritage. In Charleroi, it tells the story of an industrial city transforming through contemporary creation.

Another option: pick a single slag heap and gain some height. Several former slag heaps in the region have been reclaimed by nature and transformed into scenic walking spots. Around Le Bois du Cazier, for instance, trails lead to viewpoints offering sweeping panoramas of the area.

An original way to observe how an industrial legacy can evolve, decades later, into a sanctuary for nature and leisure.

After such an active weekend, returning to the hotel is especially welcome. The restaurant at Van der Valk Hotel Charleroi Airport welcomes guests from breakfast to dinner with various dining options in a warm setting—perfect for recharging your batteries after miles of walking.

You can use the hotel as your launchpad for an itinerary that goes far beyond Charleroi alone: Nivelles and its heritage on day one, post-industrial landscapes and urban art on day two.

On one side, a 14-kilometer procession with medieval roots. On the other, slag heaps, former industrial zones, and contemporary murals.

Nivelles and Charleroi seem very different. Yet the Tour Sainte-Gertrude and Charleroi's walking tours prove they share a common thread: sometimes, the very best way to discover their history is simply on foot.