Tournai (BE) - Foire aux Attractions de septembre

The Foire aux Attractions (funfair) is the vibrant heart of the larger Foire de Septembre in Tournai. It is known as one of the largest funfairs in Wallonia and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, who enliven the city for several weeks in September.

The fair takes place on the Esplanade du Conseil de l'Europe, a large open square that offers enough space for the numerous rides and stalls. It runs over a long period, usually from the first to the last weekend in September. This long period allows visitors to visit the fair several times and enjoy the festive atmosphere to the full.

The Foire aux Attractions in Tournai is characterised by its diversity, offering something for all age groups:

- Adrenaline rides: For fans of thrills and speed, there is a wide range of attractions. These often include impressive rides such as roller coasters, free-fall towers and giant swings, which come from all over Europe. The range of attractions varies from year to year, so there are always new highlights to discover.

- Classic fairground attractions: In addition to the modern rides, there are also the traditional attractions that are part of every fair. These include bumper cars, ghost trains, mirror mazes and the classic carousel. These attractions create a nostalgic atmosphere and are popular with young and old alike.

- Family and children's entertainment: The fair is very family-friendly. For the youngest visitors, there are numerous child-friendly carousels, a ‘pêche aux canards’ (duck fishing) and other game stands. To emphasise the family-friendly nature of the fair, special days or promotions are often organised, with comic characters or mascots in attendance or reduced prices, for example.

An essential part of the fairground experience is the culinary offerings. The Foire aux Attractions is famous for its food stalls, which offer a wealth of traditional fairground specialities:

- Croustillons: An absolute must for every visitor. These are small, fried dough balls that are freshly prepared and served sprinkled with plenty of icing sugar.

- Waffles and crêpes: Belgian waffles, often with chocolate, cream or fruit, as well as crêpes are also part of the regular offering.

- Sweets: There are numerous stalls selling roasted almonds, toffee apples and other sweets.

- Savoury snacks: Those who prefer something more substantial will find stalls selling chips, hamburgers, sausages and hot dogs.

Organising the fair requires an enormous logistical effort. The construction of the numerous rides and stalls often begins days before the opening. A festive highlight is traditionally the opening fireworks display, which marks the beginning of the Foire de Septembre and attracts thousands of people.

The atmosphere is lively and colourful. Colourful lights, music, the smell of sweets and the screams of passengers combine to create an unforgettable experience. The Foire aux Attractions is not only a place of entertainment, but also a meeting place for friends and families to celebrate together and enjoy the last warm evenings of late summer.

How to get there:

By public transport:

- By train - Tournai station (1.8 km walk)

- By bus - TOURNAI Maison de la Culture bus stop

By car:

- Venue: Esplanade de l'Europe

Parking:

- Parking du Hall des Sports de Tournai