Ath is a French-speaking village located in the center of western Hainaut, mid-way between Brussels and Lille in France. It is well known for its Ducasse festival on the fourth Sunday in August.

Understand

• 1 Tourism Office of Ath, Rue de Pintamont 18 (opposite the church of Saint-Julien), ☏ +32 68 26-51-70, fax: +32 68 26-51-79, office.de.tourisme@ath.be. Tuesday-Friday: 10:00 to 17:00 (open till 18:00 from 1st June-30th September); Weekends and holiday: 14:00-18:00. 

See

Burbant Tower

Saint-Julien Church

La Grand-Place

The Deposition of Mainvault (Musée d'histoire et de folklore)

Windmill of the Marquise, in Moulbaix

Ath, also called the City of Giants, affirms its medieval past loud and proud. As a city of art and history, Ath has several cultural treasures that testify to its past:

• 1 Burbant Tower (Tour Burbant), Rue du Gouvernement (Near the Grand-Place), ☏ +32 68 26-51-70, office.de.tourisme@ath.be. Guided tour every 3rd Sunday of the month at 15:00, from April to the end of September. The Burbant Tower is an imposing Anglo-Normand dungeon, built around 1166 by the Count of Hainaut, Baudouin IV, called "The Builder." It also served as a base for defending the northern frontier of Hainaut against Flanders and for surveying his realm. 3 €. 
• 2 Church of Saint-Julien, Rue de Pintamont. The church was constructed starting in 1394 and consecrated in 1415. The left-hand tower was finished in 1462 and crowned with a high steeple in 1465. The church was hit by lightning and burned in 1817. The apse of the choir, the tower, and the western portal escaped destruction. The carillon has 41 bells with a range of 3 octaves. 
• 3 Church of Saint Martin, Rue Saint-Martin. Built in 1585 and consecrated in 1603 as a replacement of an old parish church that got destroyed in 1578. On the outside you can see a 16th century oak cavalry. On the inside is a 16th century Gothic and Renaissance stone tomb. (updated Jan 2018)

Do

Events

• The Ducasse festival on the fourth Sunday in August.

Go next

• Cambron-Casteau — home to popular animal park Pairi Daiza, a few kilometers south of Ath.
• Geraardsbergen
• Zottegem
• Oudenaarde
• Tournai