In Wallonia region, the French-speaking region of southern Belgium

 "Everything that is visible hides something that is invisible." 

-- René François Ghislain Magritte
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(in Wallonia, officially the Walloon Region, one of the three regions of Belgium, along with Flanders and Brussels) Wallonia (La Wallonie), Belgium's mostly French-speaking southern half, includes many rustic villages in rolling green countryside, interspersed by its post-industrial cities. Centuries of history are evident in the attractive cities of Mons and Tournai, in the unforgettable carnivals of Binche, Stavelot, and Malmédy, and in a plentiful scattering of medieval castle ruins and grand châteaux. And then there's Waterloo, where Napoleon lost a battle that ended the wars that had convulsed Europe since the French Revolution.

+ As the capital of the province of Hainaut, the city of Mons (featured here) is best known for the magical ringing of the town’s Belfry bells, in the 80-meter tower. The Gothic-style Mons Town Hall is eye-catching, and the Collegiate Church of Sainte-Waudru boasts an impressive collection of 16th century Jacques Du Broeucq alabaster statues.
+ Mons was made into a fortified city by Count Baldwin IV of Hainaut in the 12th century. The population grew quickly, trade flourished, and several commercial buildings were erected near the Grand’Place. In 1814, King William I of the Netherlands increased the fortifications, following the fall of the First French Empire. The Industrial Revolution and coal mining made Mons a center of heavy industry. In 1830, Belgium gained its independence and the decision was made to dismantle the fortifications, allowing the creation of large boulevards and other urban projects.

+ On 23–24 August 1914, Mons was the location of the Battle of Mons. (There are several memorial placards related to the WWI battles.) Today, the city is an important university town and commercial center. The main square is the center of the Old City. It is paved in the manner of old cities and is home to many cafes and restaurants, as well as the Town Hall and belfry. (Together with the Czech city of Plzeň, Mons was the European Capital of Culture in 2015.)

+ The forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s European command -- Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) -- have been nearby on the Casteau Plateau since 1967. Located just 35 miles (56 km) south of the city of Brussels, military buffs will find a rich history in Mons, the capital of the Province of Hainaut. Although British and German troops occupied Mons during World War I, the city still has ruins that date back to the ancient Romans. Must-sees in Mons, include its Gothic style Town Hall; The Belfry, a World Heritage UNESCO site; The Collegiate Church of Sainte-Waudru, and the Decorative Arts Museum François Duesberg with its unique and prestigious clock collection. (Van Gogh even lived in Mons for a time, and Van Gogh’s well-preserved house is another fine local site that is open to the public).