Tournai Cathedral
Tournai, Belgium
A Romanesque cathedral with five towers rising over the old town, one of Belgium's major medieval churches. Walk through the nearby streets to the riverside and the old belfry afterwards.
Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. It combines several building phases: the nave was begun in 1140 in the Romanesque style and feels heavy and austere. The transept (1199–1213) is a transitional work, and the Gothic choir was built between 1243 and 1255. Characteristic are the five towers around the crossing, each 83 metres high.
On 14 August 1999 a tornado badly damaged the building; extensive repairs and archaeological investigations followed over many years. Afterwards, a walk through the surrounding lanes to the riverbank and the old belfry is worthwhile. The cathedral lies in the old town; allow about two hours for the church and its surroundings.
- Nearest town
- Tournai, Belgium
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 50.6060, 3.3880
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Belgium: No motorway tolls for cars. Low-emission zones in Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent; register foreign vehicles. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Aire de TournaiMotorhome stopover1 km from Tournai Cathedral · 12 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposal
- La Ferme du Vert Marais aire pour camping-carsMotorhome stopover4 km from Tournai Cathedral · 14 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposal
- Camping Domaine des PoteriesCampsite13 km from Tournai CathedralTentsCaravansWi-Fi
- Le Petit ClosCampsite14 km from Tournai CathedralTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Camping ZennijsCampsite17 km from Tournai CathedralTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Camping PanoramaCampsite19 km from Tournai CathedralTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
All campsites in Belgium · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Tournai Cathedral?
Tournai Cathedral is in Tournai, Belgium, at GPS 50.6060, 3.3880. It is about 23 km from Lille.
Can you camp near Tournai Cathedral?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Aire de Tournai, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 25 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Tournai Cathedral?
Places worth a stop nearby: Tyne Cot Cemetery (42 km), Menin Gate (44 km), Langemark German Cemetery (48 km) and Canadian National Vimy Memorial (50 km).
When is the best time to visit Tournai Cathedral?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)