📖 About Tournai

Tournai (Dutch: Doornik) is one of Belgium's oldest and most historic cities, located in Wallonia near the French border. With approximately 70,000 residents, this French-speaking city was the first capital of the Frankish kingdom—Clovis I, founder of the Merovingian dynasty, was born here in 466 AD. The Cathedral of Our Lady is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The medieval belfry is also UNESCO-listed. Tournai's artistic traditions include renowned tapestry production. The city represents ancient Belgium—Frankish heritage, Romanesque cathedral, and the French-speaking culture of Wallonia.

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💼 Economy & Culture

Services and commerce drive the local economy. Some manufacturing continues. Tourism benefits from UNESCO heritage. Education includes a university presence. Cross-border commerce with France is significant. The economy faces post-industrial challenges common to Wallonia.

French-speaking Walloon culture—French is spoken. Catholicism shaped history though secular today. Artistic traditions include tapestry and painting. The Four Processions festival is historic. Food features Belgian and French cuisine. The culture values history, art, and French-language heritage in Belgium.

📜 History

Gallo-Roman origins led to early Christian diocese. Clovis I's birth (466) made Tournai the first Merovingian capital. The cathedral foundation dates to the 5th century. Medieval prosperity brought the belfry and artistic development.

English control (1513-1519) and later Spanish, Austrian, and French rule preceded Belgian independence. WWII bombing damaged the city. Today Tournai preserves exceptional heritage—UNESCO cathedral and belfry, Frankish history, and Walloon culture near the French border.