Geraardsbergen
Geraardsbergen (Grammont in French; pop. 31,000) is a small Flemish town between Brussels and Tournai. It is known for its wall that is climbed every year by cyclists during the Tour of Flanders (early April).
The town in itself has not much to offer, except a 15th-century Manneken-Pis -- yes, almost identical to the more famous one in Brussels, but 160 older ! The peeing boy stands in front of the town hall, on the Grote Markt (this, at least, is different from Brussels).
The last Sunday in February, Geraardsbergen holds the Krakelingenstoet and Tonnekebrand festivals. They consist mainly of a colourful cortege passing through town, above the Oudenberg hill, with wine served in silver cups with a gudgeon (small fish) inside.
How to get there
Geraardsbergen is a bit in the middle of nowhere (for tourists), on the N42, roughly between Ath and Ghent. More specifically, it is between the E40 (Brussels-Ostend) and the E429 (Brussels-Tournai).
There are no direct trains from Brussels. You must change at Denderleeuw or Aalst (40min), which takes 1h or more. Coming from Tournai (45min) or Mons (1h10min), you must change at Ath.
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