Perhaps best known for its association with both World Wars, Mons is actually an ancient town. The capital of the French-speaking province of Hainaut, Mons lies across the steep hill that first made it important. Natural strongpoint is rare in this part of the country and the Romans, observing the lay of the land, established a fortified camp here in the first century AD.

Today, Mons is a friendly town whose social life focuses around the Grand Place and its pavement cafes. Also overlooking the Grand Place is the fifteenth century Hotel de Ville, an imposing Gothic structure. A castiron monkey, known as the Singe du Grand Garde, sits on the outside wall near the main entrance, and is meant to bring good luck to those who stroke its head. Southwest of the Grand Place are the town’s well-preserved medieval streets and the Collegiale Ste-Waudru, a late-Gothic church.

Mons’ other important sights are the Musee du Guerre, which focuses on the role of Mons in both World Wars, and the Musee du Vieux Namy, with its collection of ceramics and Delfware.