La Louvière walks

This route first follows the Canal du Centre Historique and its four hydraulic lifts, then returns via the new Canal du Centre and the impressive Strépy-Thieu boat lift. We will also cross the Sart canal bridge. On the old canal, we will also see the Houdeng swing bridge and the Bracquegnies drawbridge. Hike without detailed description to be followed with the Visorando app.

During this walk, discover three slag heaps situated relatively close to one another: the AlbertI, Quesnoy and Saint-Emmanuel slag heaps. Slag heaps are man-made hills formed by the gradual accumulation of mining waste produced by mining operations. These hills stand as a testament to an iconic industrial activity that provided a livelihood for several generations of locals, and which has now ceased.

The appeal of this walk lies in the way it combines the region’s mining history with the tranquil beauty of the historic Canal du Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring its boat lifts—now operational again—and other infrastructure dating back over 100 years, bearing witness to the ingenuity of their designers.

Admire the landscape of the Canal du Centre, the century-old drawbridges and the lifts that operate solely on hydraulic power.

Starting from the Strépy-Thieu funicular lift, the walk takes you on a discovery of the infrastructure of both canals, the historic and the recent.Four lifts, two drawbridges, two swing bridges and a few other remains, documented on four-language information panels, enhance the walk along the historic canal to its junction with the new canal at its eastern end.

The central canal and the historic canal have joined forces with a short stretch of the Haine to create a delightful walk along the water.

During this easy walk, you will discover some prodigious engineering works built on the Canal du Centre, culminating in the Strépy-Thieu funicular lift,the second largest boat lift in the world.

This walk will allow you to discover the remarkable sites of the town of Le Roeulx and its bucolic landscapes.

A picturesque tour will allow you to discover the charm of Le Roeulx, guiding you through its characterful houses and iconic monuments. This town has managed to preserve its rural atmosphere while offering architectural treasures to explore.

A relaxing stroll in and around the town of Le Roeulx.

A picturesque tour of the town of Le Roeulx and its surroundings.

Thieu, a village situated between two waterways – between the new and old Canal du Centre – offers a wide variety of landscapes, ranging from waterside views to countryside scenery.

As you travel along both the old and new canals, journey from Thieu to Ville-sur-Haine whilst discovering or rediscovering the engineering structures of the waterways (drawbridges, locks and lifts, etc.). Enjoy the peace and quiet as you stroll at your leisure along the towpaths.

Departure from Place Hardat in Thieu (part of Le Roeulx). Follow the two canals, the old and the new, from Thieu to Ville-sur-Haine, discovering or rediscovering the engineering structures of the waterways (drawbridges, locks, lifts). Enjoy the peace and quiet as you stroll along the towpaths at your leisure.

La Haye du Roeulx is the wooded area that surrounds our small princely town to the north-northeast. In addition to exploring our countryside and woods, this route will allow you to discover the town centre of Le Roeulx and its sights.