Tournai City Hall

Since 1809, the municipal council has been housed in a beautiful neoclassical building built on the site of the former Cistercian abbey of Saint-Martin (11th century).

Unfortunately, most of the buildings of the medieval abbey disappeared after the abolition of the monastery in 1797 . Most of the buildings, especially the church, have disappeared.

The main building was built in 1763 under the abbey of Robert Delzenne, according to plans by architect Laurent Dewez. Until the abbey was closed, it served as an abbey palace.

The neoclassical facades escaped the fire that destroyed the interior of the building in 1940. What remains of the old monastery is the impressive and strict Romanesque crypt , which is admirable. restored, as well as part of the monastery which appears to be a very ornate piece of late 15th century Gothic architecture .

Willem Vandenameele