INNER-CITY CANAL

Let yourself be seduced by the bucolic charm of the Historic Center Canal, a Unesco World Heritage Site, and its hydraulic elevators! These real engineering miracles from the end of the 19th century bear witness to the development of the coal industry. They make it possible to compensate for a 66-meter difference in level on the Canal du Centre with hydraulic power as the only source of energy. Of the eight hydraulic boat elevators built at that time in the world, the four on the Canal du Centre are the only ones remaining in their original state. Only devoted to river tourism, cruises are organized from the funicular elevator of Strépy-Thieu, to cross the elevator n° 3 with a visit of the engine room to discover the secrets of manufacture and operation of these hundred-year-old elevators! Finally, you will board a small train to go along the canal of the historic center and return to the foot of the funicular elevator.

From the Cantine des Italiens, you can rent a bicycle and ride along the towpaths to discover these river treasures!

With your family or friends, you can also pilot a boat for five to seven people and sail on the oldest section of the canal in the historic center to meet the oldest boat elevator in Belgium, the hydraulic elevator No. 1: it dates from 1888! An original outing.