Ath

Ath is a French-speaking town of about 29,000 inhabitants (2019) in the centre of western Hainaut, mid-way between Brussels and Lille in France.

Geography
Ath is at the confluence of the Eastern and Western Dender rivers, where they form the Dender River. Together with the Blaton-Ath canal, the town core is in practice surrounded by water, connected to the peripheral districts by about a dozen bridges. It's in the middle of an agricultural region with low hills, with an altitude of about 50 m. Two natural reserves are nearby: Le pays des collines and Le parc naturel des plaines de l’Escaut.

History
Baudoiun IV, Count of Hainaut, had a keep built here in the 1160s to protect his lands – the Burbant tower. A "new town" grew up around it with privileges and a big market, attracting merchants and customers from far away. Tradesmen from tailors to goldsmiths and cabinetmakers settled in Ath, and in the 14th century two fortifications were built to protect the town. The army of Louis XIV conquered Ath in 1667, and he ordered Vauban – the foremost fortification architect of that time – to design a new fortification. It wouldn't stand for a century, after a siege in 1745 during the War of the Austrian Succession it was dismantled.

The industrial revolution in the 19th century brought prosperity to Ath once again. Wood, rock, textile and agricultural industries were established and the town and it became a railway node. Nevertheless, as in much of Europe, industrial activities declined during the 20th century. Industries still remain in the peripheries of Ath, and the town today is a place for commerce, artisans, and "liberal professions". In 2008 Ath was awarded the European Destinations of Excellence award by the European Commission, an award given to lesser known destinations to promote sustainable tourism.

Climate
As western Belgium in general, Ath has a temperate oceanic climate, influenced by the wet and mild currents from the Atlantic, occasionally also by continental dry winds bringing warmer weather in the summer and colder in the winter.

By train
There are trains from other Belgian cities including Brussels, Mons, Tournai and Antwerp. Consult the website of the Belgian Railways SNCF for schedules and routes.



By bus
Regional buses operated by TEC connect from nearby towns.

By car
The nearby motorway A8-E429 between Lille and Brussels passes next to Ath, take exit 30 and drive the N56 to get to Ath.

By boat
The Ath-Blaton canal is navigable by small boats, and the Dendre and Scheldt rivers connect to the sea.

By bike
Biking route RAVeL 4 follows the Ath-Blaton canal from the south, passes through Ath and continues along the Dendre from the north.

By foot
Long distance walking path GR 1218 between Brussels and Boulogne-sur-Mer on the English channel passes through Ath.

By foot
The central part of Ath inside the rivers and canal is small enough to be walked, it's just about 1 km across.

By car
The rural part of the municipality is better explored by car. Parking is free at the outskirts of town, payable in the central parts. Even if it's a small town, there are inspectors placing parking tickets on windscreens of vehicles whose parking hasn't been paid for.

By bus
As mentioned in the Get in section, local buses go to nearby cities and towns with stops along the roads.

By taxi
Taxis are also available:



In town


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:


 * Old abbey refuges reveal the former wealth of the city; once many religious communities set up abbeys here. On Place Ernest Cambier there's the Saint-Martin abbey, built around 1780 in the style of Louis XVI. On Rue Haute there's the Gothic abbey of Ghislenghien, though it was damaged during WWII. The Liessies abbey on Rue des Récollets now serves as an educational institute, and was visited by Louis XIV several times. He liked it so much that he called Ath "his little Paris". Finally the Notre-Dame abbey is on Rue de Gand.
 * Old abbey refuges reveal the former wealth of the city; once many religious communities set up abbeys here. On Place Ernest Cambier there's the Saint-Martin abbey, built around 1780 in the style of Louis XVI. On Rue Haute there's the Gothic abbey of Ghislenghien, though it was damaged during WWII. The Liessies abbey on Rue des Récollets now serves as an educational institute, and was visited by Louis XIV several times. He liked it so much that he called Ath "his little Paris". Finally the Notre-Dame abbey is on Rue de Gand.
 * Old abbey refuges reveal the former wealth of the city; once many religious communities set up abbeys here. On Place Ernest Cambier there's the Saint-Martin abbey, built around 1780 in the style of Louis XVI. On Rue Haute there's the Gothic abbey of Ghislenghien, though it was damaged during WWII. The Liessies abbey on Rue des Récollets now serves as an educational institute, and was visited by Louis XIV several times. He liked it so much that he called Ath "his little Paris". Finally the Notre-Dame abbey is on Rue de Gand.
 * Old abbey refuges reveal the former wealth of the city; once many religious communities set up abbeys here. On Place Ernest Cambier there's the Saint-Martin abbey, built around 1780 in the style of Louis XVI. On Rue Haute there's the Gothic abbey of Ghislenghien, though it was damaged during WWII. The Liessies abbey on Rue des Récollets now serves as an educational institute, and was visited by Louis XIV several times. He liked it so much that he called Ath "his little Paris". Finally the Notre-Dame abbey is on Rue de Gand.
 * Old abbey refuges reveal the former wealth of the city; once many religious communities set up abbeys here. On Place Ernest Cambier there's the Saint-Martin abbey, built around 1780 in the style of Louis XVI. On Rue Haute there's the Gothic abbey of Ghislenghien, though it was damaged during WWII. The Liessies abbey on Rue des Récollets now serves as an educational institute, and was visited by Louis XIV several times. He liked it so much that he called Ath "his little Paris". Finally the Notre-Dame abbey is on Rue de Gand.
 * Old abbey refuges reveal the former wealth of the city; once many religious communities set up abbeys here. On Place Ernest Cambier there's the Saint-Martin abbey, built around 1780 in the style of Louis XVI. On Rue Haute there's the Gothic abbey of Ghislenghien, though it was damaged during WWII. The Liessies abbey on Rue des Récollets now serves as an educational institute, and was visited by Louis XIV several times. He liked it so much that he called Ath "his little Paris". Finally the Notre-Dame abbey is on Rue de Gand.

Events


The festival, dating back to the Middle Ages, is the most famous event of Ath. It takes place for 10 days in late August with the main event on the fourth Sunday of the month. This is a celebration of the victory of David over Goliath, and different statues of giants are paraded through the streets. These giants depict important figures in local history. The festival was inscribed on the UNESCO list of Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity from 2008 to 2022. It was delisted as one of the figures in the parade – a white person with face painted black – was perceived as racist and as such the event was considered inappropriate for the list.

Walks
There are a few official walking routes in the municipality. They aren't signposted but you can get maps from the tourist office.



Budget




Self catering
If you want to prepare your own meals, grocery stores are readily available – smaller ones in the city core and larger in the outskirts. The Thursday market is also a good place to pick up fresh produce.

Drink
Cafés along Grand Place have outdoor seating in the summer and you have a beer with locals; why not try the local brand Gouyasse?

Connect


All Belgian operators have 4G coverage in and around Ath.

Further out

 * Geraardsbergen
 * Zottegem
 * Oudenaarde
 * Tournai
 * Lille