“The city spreads its ramparts to welcome everyone”smiles Laurent Devin, the mayor of Binche. Accustomed to seeing crowds invade the cobblestones of their city for three days to the carnivalthe Binchois and Binchoises will this time have to deal with more than 70,000 people gathered in… half a day.
The watchword is therefore very simple: it is better to leave the car in the car park. At home or, why not, at a station before taking the train.
The SNCB planned to increase the number of trains to and from Binche on July 7. The IC11 train which connects Binche to Turnhout via Brussels every hour will be reinforced by a P train to and from Schaerbeek, as well as an L train (to Braine le Comte). “For our Dutch-speaking friends, for example, there will be no problem getting to us”welcomes Frederic TilmantAlderman for Sports. “The city of Binche will make staff available to facilitate the flow of travelers to the city center”. On his side, the Tourist Office will welcome visitors in French, Dutch and English.
The city center will obviously be closed to traffic, the streets around the Grand Place even being closed from Wednesday July 6 at 5.30 p.m.
>> All mobility information for the city of Binche
“The perimeter will be closed and accessible only on foot. Sometimes it will be a bit far, it’s true”concedes Frédéric Tilmant. “Some will have to walk two or three kilometers, but we must not forget public transport either. Replacement buses will be put in place, with a planned stop, for example, 150m from the fictitious start, at the intersection of the N90 and avenue Marie-José”.
Are you looking for an alternative to walking, public transport, the car? Think bike! It is particularly indicated, in the middle of the Tour de France! The city of Gille is keen to be part of the “Wallonia cycle” dynamic and offers many adaptations of the road network and more and more routes for two-wheelers.
Note that small car parks that can accommodate a few mobile homes are also provided at the entrances to the city, near the Unesco and Epinois roundabouts (where currently stands an Eiffel Tower of the most beautiful effect, made by municipal workers!).