Did you know that, over its two millennia of existence, Tournai was part of the Kingdom of France for more than a thousand years?
Clovis was born here in 466. In 1188, Philip Augustus made it "the key to the Kingdom" by equipping it with strong fortifications. Three centuries later, after her capture, Joan of Arc called upon the people of Tournai - loyal subjects of the King of France - who sent her a sum of money to ease the conditions of her imprisonment. At that time, Tournai was the fourth largest city in the kingdom.
It was Henry VIII, King of England, who captured the city in 1513 - something Edward III had failed to achieve in 1340 despite a long siege. For six years, Tournai remained under English rule before being returned to Francis I. However, in 1521, it was captured again and became Spanish.
Situated along the River Scheldt and built on the frontier between France and the Holy Roman Empire, Tournai owes its turbulent destiny to this unique position - tragically confirmed once again during the two World Wars.
Just a short walk from the Grand-Place, the MHM invites you to discover Tournai’s long history, its fortifications, and the many sieges it endured - by Edward III, Henry VIII, Charles V, Louis XIV, the Duke of Marlborough, Louis XV, as well as the Battle of Fontenoy.
Its significant collections of weapons, uniforms, equipment, and documents illustrate the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods, the Dutch period, and the Belgian regiments stationed in Tournai until 1914.
The two World Wars are also covered: the fighting of 24 August 1914, the Allied offensive of 1918, the Battle of the Scheldt in May 1940, the bombings of Tournai in 1940 and 1944, and the liberation in 1944.