Mons to Tournai Road Trip: Hidden Gems on the E42

The E42 highway connects Mons (50.4541° N, 3.9568° E) to Tournai (50.6071° N, 3.3853° E) in a straight 50 km shot across the Hainaut province. The trip takes roughly 30 minutes without traffic, but the real journey lies in the detours.

This route follows the ancient Roman road Bavay–Tournai, a strategic axis since the 1st century AD. Today, the E42 carries heavy truck traffic due to its link between France and Belgium’s industrial heartland.

To make the most of your drive, learn how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities with our guide: how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

The E42 is a dual-carriageway with a 120 km/h speed limit, well-maintained asphalt, and full night lighting. There are two toll sections: between Mons and Saint-Ghislain (€1.20 for cars).

Fuel stations are spaced every 15 km: TotalEnergies at junction 30 (Saint-Ghislain), Q8 at junction 36 (Péruwelz), and Shell at junction 38 (Tournai). Prices average €1.90/L for petrol as of 2025.

• Fuel cost estimate: €9–12 for the direct trip (7–8 L/100 km consumption).
• Eco tip: use cruise control on the flat Hainaut plain to save 5–10% fuel.
• Most stations have EV charging points (22 kW AC, some 150 kW DC).

Road Conditions and Safety

Surface quality is excellent, but watch for fog pockets near the Scheldt river valley in autumn mornings. Emergency phones are every 2 km; coverage is reliable.

• Speed cameras fixed at km 15, 28, and 42 (average speed check zone near Leuze-en-Hainaut).
• No toll booths after 10 PM – automated payment via e-Toll or credit card.

Infrastructure Safety and Road Quality

The E42 has crash barriers, emergency lay-bys every 1 km, and full illumination from Mons to Tournai. Accident hotspots are at the merge lanes near Saint-Ghislain interchange (km 18) and the descent into the Scheldt valley (km 45).

• No toll delays except on summer Fridays (peak 4–6 PM) at barrier automatons.
• Police patrols frequent between 10 PM and 2 AM – random alcohol checks.

Family and Child Suitability

Children will enjoy the “Parc d’Aventures de l’Espierre” (exit 34) – a climbing park with zip lines. Open weekends 10 AM–6 PM, €12 entry.

• The “Musée de la Mémoire” in Péruwelz (exit 35) has interactive exhibits on local history – free for under-12s.
• Picnic tables with play areas at the “Aire de la Hamaide” rest area (km 25) – shaded and with basic swings.

Pet-Friendly Framework

Dogs are welcome at the rest areas “Aire de la Hamaide” and “Aire du Pélade” (km 35) – both have waste bins and water fountains.

• Café “Le Toutou” in Tournai (Rue de l’Hôpital Notre-Dame, 5 min from exit 39) allows dogs indoors and serves treats.
• Veterinary emergency: Clinique Vétérinaire de l’Escaut (Péruwelz, exit 35, +32 69 77 12 34, open 24/7).

Hidden Off-Route Spots

Five minutes off the highway: the abandoned Château de la Berlière (exit 34, follow D158 for 2 km). A 19th-century neo-gothic ruin surrounded by forest – no entrance fee, but wear sturdy shoes.

• Village of Cherq (exit 31) – a cluster of 18th-century whitewashed houses with a tiny chapel (Saint-Lambert).

Fatigue Management and Rest Zones

Designated rest areas with safe parking: “Aire de la Hamaide” (km 25) – 50 spaces, free, with toilets and vending machines. “Aire du Pélade” (km 35) has a coffee kiosk (open 8 AM–8 PM).

• For a proper nap: pull into the “Hotel Ibis Péruwelz” car park (exit 35) – quiet and monitored; day use free.
• Avoid stopping on the hard shoulder – use only official lay-bys.

The landscape shifts from the urban fringe of Mons (Grand-Hornu slag heaps) into the rolling fields of the Hainaut bocage. Near Tournai, the terrain opens into the alluvial plain of the Scheldt river.

• Key geography: between Péruwelz and Leuze, the route crosses the Pays des Collines, a patchwork of hedgerows and small woods.
• Best scenic stop: the Belvédère de l'Espierre (exit 34) – a wooden lookout over the Espierre river valley, ideal for a 5-min break.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Two sites are within a 10-min detour: the Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes (exit 27, then 6 km south) and the Belfry of Tournai (city center). The Spiennes mines are Europe’s oldest and largest flint extraction site (6,000–2,500 BC).

• Tournai’s Belfry (UNESCO 1999) is the oldest freestanding campanile in Belgium (1188 AD).
• Detour time: +15 min for Spiennes, +30 min for Tournai center.

Culinary Infrastructure

Local specialties include Tournai’s pickles (pickled vegetables) and Mons’s “fromage de Mons” (soft cheese). Recommended stops:

• Auberge du Prieuré in Saint-Ghislain (exit 30) – traditional Belgian fare, mains €18–25, open daily until 9 PM.
• Le Relais de la Lys at exit 38 (Tournai) – serves waterzooi and carbonnade flamande, €15–22.
• Friterie des Collines (N60 near Leuze) – best frites in the region, open 11:30 AM–9 PM.

Local Commerce and Culture

Buy artisan jams and honey at roadside stalls on the N7 (parallel to E42). The Marché de Saint-Ghislain (Tuesday & Friday mornings) sells local cheeses and pottery.

• Farm shop “Ferme de l’Étang” (exit 32) sells pear cider and chicory pâté.
• Lace products from Tournai’s “Maison de la Dentelle” – a 5-min drive from exit 39.