Mons - City Hall

(Local Name: Hôtel de Ville) In the center of Mons, which is surrounded by a ring of wide boulevards, is the Grand-Place.

On the west side, where it is still flanked by some old houses, stands the impressive Hôtel de Ville, the facade of which was designed by Mattheus de Layens in 1458; the rest of the buildings which are grouped around the courtyard date from the 15th to 18th centuries. The City Hall is framed by the "Toison d'Or" house (1615) and the Chapel of St George (1604). To the left of the main entrance can be seen a bronze sculpture of a monkey with a polished head - stroking it is said to bring good fortune. Among the rooms of the City Hall (which can be seen on application at the door) should be mentioned the Salle des Commissions with Brussels tapestries of 1707, the Salle des Mariages with old wooden paneling, the Gothic Salle des Sacquiaux, so called because every evening the keys of the town are placed in a leather purse and guarded, as well as the Neo-Gothic Cabinet du Bourgmestre.