Grand-Hornu
Grand-Hornu
4
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
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10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Situated in the heart of the Hainaut province and recognized as a World Heritage of Humanity site by UNESCO since 2012, the Grand-Hornu is a 19th-century industrial gem. Property of the Province of Hainaut since 1989, this heritage landmark is one of the most important galleries of contemporary art in Belgium today. In addition to showcasing the architectural treasures of the place itself, the teams from CID and MAC's focus their activities on contemporary art, architecture and design.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
214 reviews
Excellent
90
Very good
84
Average
31
Poor
6
Terrible
3
Arnaud d
Antwerp, Belgium205 contributions
Dec 2019
Submerge yourself in the early industrial revolution and learn how coal tycoons were securing their workforce with projects that would enhance the quality of work-life balance. Nothing new under the sun. Interesting architectural site with a great restaurant and some regional musea. Depending on the curation you will like or dislike the artwork.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Trueparisian
Paris, France299 contributions
Jul 2022
Very interesting former industrial site. We had the guided tour at 11am which was very informative and clear. We spent the whole day there. The guided tour, the museum and the lovely lunch on site. We had a fantastic day.
Written July 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KateEaton
London, UK79 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
We did not even mean to visit Le Grand Hornu, we were actually lost and in extremis with our two small children after a few problems with roadworks on the Mons ring road. But we were so glad we did, it was victory snatched from the jaws of defeat. An excellent restaurant, brilliant modern art installations, and the interesting contrast between its history as a tough mining town and its current peaceful, grassy and architecturally pleasing visitor attraction. We went some years ago, it sounds from more recent reviews as though the site has been further enhanced and restored since then. If you are interested in industrial archaeology/history, it's worth a visit, especially if, like us, you love Saltaire in Yorkshire.
Written June 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helen J
Doncaster, UK114 contributions
We were looking to fill some time before attending the commemoration event in Mons. The place isn't easy to find but this is all we can say because we visited on a Monday and seems it closes on Mondays!
Written August 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Emilie H
Stockport, UK24 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
I originally suggested to visit because I liked the idea of seeing some Contemporary Art. There is a very large car park to the front of the building. Firstly, the front of house staff were above and beyond excellent. So friendly and informative. As my husband can’t speak French they spoke in English. I had no idea of the coal heritage of Belgium and North France. They explained succinctly, clearly and were nothing but helpful. We paid the 2 euros each to hear the audio guide around the site. The guide was a balanced portrayal and the grounds were incredible. Stunning. The most beautiful ex coal mine I’ve ever visited. There is an on site cafe as well as restaurant located elsewhere on site. We bought our lunch at the cafe. We were very happy with our sandwiches and drinks. Very reasonably priced. We also had paid to visit the Contemporary Art. There were 2 galleries available to view. Our visit lasted just shy of 3 hours. It is a remarkable site. No wonder it has a UNESCO status.
Written August 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Giff H
32 contributions
Sep 2016 • Business
Appears to have been a military engineering school based on the bronze statue in the center of the plain. Apparently the engineering wasn't that good because the building and grounds are in full disrepair.
Worse, a contemporary art expo building was literally built into and now is supporting the old brick structures. I grant that this method saved the old brick architecture. But the art contained within is disturbing at times, droll others.
If you like contemporary art this may be worth your time but there were so few exhibits... I was glad there was no admission.
Worse, a contemporary art expo building was literally built into and now is supporting the old brick structures. I grant that this method saved the old brick architecture. But the art contained within is disturbing at times, droll others.
If you like contemporary art this may be worth your time but there were so few exhibits... I was glad there was no admission.
Written October 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
xorg
Hanoi, Vietnam181 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
We visited because it is a world heritage site and it exceeded expectations. A very interesting structure with excellent art exhibition and a fascinating design exhibition
Written March 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Beto79
Lille, France662 contributions
Mar 2014 • Solo
It is kind of cumbersome to come here if you do not have a car, you have to take a bus from la Gare of Mons (number 7) but I will say it is worth it. This is a UNESCO world heritage mining complex that has been transformed into a museum. I am not a big fan of contemporary art, nevertheless, I enjoyed my visit here.They have an exhibition about Aalto lamp design that was very good, and there were some pieces of contemporary art that were ok. They have restaurant called L'Ubiquitus that has a very good twenty euro menu (warning, small portions!). There is also a brasserie which is more affordable. I think it is an excellent day trip, my suggestion is to combine it; visit Grand Hornu in the morning and in the afternoon spend some time in Mons.
Written March 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
polinai z
Manchester, UK2 contributions
Sep 2013 • Solo
Grand hornu is an old industrial mining complex structure in the Honru, which is now a one of the major tourist attraction, attracting several tourist whole year from the entire world. Grand hornu is the unique and live example of development and functional town planning. Now a day, it is owned by province of Hainut, he temporary conducts exhibition there for the sake of people. This heritage and famous building is re-constructed by the efficient team of UNIESCO. You can't miss the opportunity to visit this unique place of development and art. Grand Hornu is one of the most popular historic sites and known for geologic formations and mines. I highly recommend this place to visit as you will find the picturesque views to capture the memorable moments.
Written January 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HELENA_AIRLINES
Brussels, Belgium112 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
“Le grand Hornu” is close to Mons. It is composed of a Museum (MACs), a village where the workers lived and the industrial complex itself, which is beautiful and shocking. The complex was dedicated to the extraction of coal, and its architecture is neo-classic, well preserved and beautiful.
Our excursion started there, and then we headed to Mons. Is a one-day trip from Brussels and it is worth to see it.
The complex is built around a oval space surrounded by columns. There are the extraction wells, and a lot of places to visit, machinery, expositions etc…
The place is UNESCO’s patrimony.
Our excursion started there, and then we headed to Mons. Is a one-day trip from Brussels and it is worth to see it.
The complex is built around a oval space surrounded by columns. There are the extraction wells, and a lot of places to visit, machinery, expositions etc…
The place is UNESCO’s patrimony.
Written October 24, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Grand-Hornu (Mons) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Grand-Hornu
- Grand-Hornu is open:
- Tue - Sun 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- We recommend booking Grand-Hornu tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Grand-Hornu tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Grand-Hornu:
- (3.07 mi) Ferme de la Blanche Fontaine
- (4.78 mi) Van der Valk Congres & Spa Hotel Mons
- (1.66 mi) MAH Hotel
- (5.17 mi) Martin's Dream
- (8.90 mi) Hotel & Aparthotel Casteau Resort Mons
- Restaurants near Grand-Hornu:
- (0.05 mi) Rizom Restaurant
- (0.04 mi) Il Fritaiolo friterie burger
- (0.25 mi) Ristorante Pizzeria Antica
- (0.24 mi) Viva La Pizza
- (0.30 mi) Le Verre Y Table
- Attractions near Grand-Hornu:
- (0.08 mi) MAC's (Musee des arts Contemporains)
- (4.92 mi) Francois Duesberg Museum
- (7.63 mi) St Symphorien Military Cemetery
- (5.37 mi) Mons Memorial Museum
- (5.02 mi) Collégiale Sainte-Waudru