A tour of the historic Canal du Centre’s hydraulic lifts

Car park at Place Hardat in Thieu (Le Roeulx)

(S/E) On leaving Place Hardat, head towards lift number 4, crossing the Pont Hardat.

(1) Go through the tunnel under lift number 4.

(2) At the bend to the right, take the path on the left which climbs towards the canal towpath and follow this path to the right. Points of interest: along the Thieu drawbridge, the loading quay, the Strépy-Bracquegnies drawbridge, the bridge under the N55 main road and the Houdeng-Aimeries swing bridge.

(3) At the foot of lift number 3, take the path on the right which climbs towards the top of the lift and continue along the towpath of the upper canal.

(4) When you reach lift number 2, take the path leading uphill to the right and stay on the towpath of the upper canal (do not take the one heading to the right). The route takes you: under the bridge on Rue Liébin, alongside the Houdeng-Aimeries swing bridge, past two supports of a former bridge, and under the bridge of a former railway line.

(5) Pass under the Capitte Bridge and reach the foot of lift number 1.

(6) Follow the path up to the top of the lift, turn left and then immediately left again to descend onto the towpath on the other side of the canal. Retrace your steps, staying on the towpath.

(7) Walk past the Italian canteen and head for lift number 2.

(8) Turn right onto the path leading down to lift number 3.

(9) Walk past the buildings of lift number 3 and continue along the towpath. Passages: alongside the Houdeng-Aimeries swing bridge, under the N55 road bridge and alongside the Strépy-Bracquegnies drawbridge.

(10) At the Thieu drawbridge, turn right onto Rue Jules André until you reach the junction with Rue Raymond Cordier. At the junction, turn left and, just before the bridge over the new canal, turn right towards the funicular lift.

(11) Cross the promenade bridge in front of the funicular lift. At the end of the bridge, turn left and then left again onto the path leading down to the towpath. Continue along this path until you reach the Hardat Bridge.

(12) About 150 metres after passing under the Hardat Bridge, take the path on the right which leads to Hardat Square (S/E).

(2) At the Thieu Locks Sports Centre:
- Bicycle hire available. Full details on the website: Centre Sportif des Ascenseurs.
- Large hall and bar serving light refreshments and drinks.

(7) Cantine des Italiens – Full meals, light refreshments and drinks. Children’s play area. Canal trips in small electric boats; information on the Voies d’eau du Hainaut website/].

(S) Place Léopold Hardat. Named after a mayor of Thieu who served from 1922 to 1952
(1) Hydraulic lift number 4 (Thieu). Overcomes a height difference of 16.933 m.
(3) Hydraulic lift number 3 (Bracquegnies): Overcomes a height difference of 16.933 m.
(4) Lift No. 2 (Houdeng-Aimeries): Overcomes a height difference of 16.914 m.
(5) Capitte Bridge. The name is thought to derive from a family who lived there before the canal was built. The official name is “La Louvière–Le Roeulx Road Bridge”
(6) Lift No. 1 (La Louvière). Work began in 1885; it was inaugurated by King Leopold II on 4 June 1888. The lift overcomes a height difference of 15.400 m.
(11) Strépy-Thieu funicular lift. 130 metres long and 81 metres wide. It rises to a height of 117 metres and overcomes a height difference of 73 metres. Each of its two gondolas can lift a 1,350-tonne barge or a 2,000-tonne barge with its pusher. 4 May 1982: the construction site was officially opened. The lift became operational in 2001.

NB Most of the information is taken from the magazine “Nos 5 Blasons”, published by the Cercle d’Histoire Léon Mabille. Further information is available on the Cercle d’Histoire Léon Mabille Le Roeulx website.