Chimay Attractions
Surrounded by extensive woods the small town of Chimay is situated in the province of Hainaut, near the French border. Jean Froissart, chronicler of the Hundred Years' War, spent his last years in Chimay; another famous inhabitant of the town was Thérése Tallien (1773-1835), an enigmatic personality, who went down in history as "Notre-Dame de Thermidor". As the wife of the proconsul of the French republic, Tallien, she encouraged him to resist the tyrant Robespierre, which later led to his downfall. Following her divorce from Tallien she married François-Joseph de Caraman, Prince of Chimay, and turned the château at Chimay into a meeting place for lovers of music and theater.
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Château
The chateau near Chimay dates from the 16th C and is today a tourist attraction displaying interesting artifacts from the Tallien family.
Etang de Virelles, Belgium
The Etang de Virelles, 3km/2miles north of Chimay, is a popular venue for excursions.
Included is a 250 ha nature reserve for relaxation and pleasure.
Included is a 250 ha nature reserve for relaxation and pleasure.
Nismes, Belgium
(Near Chimay)
Sts Pierre et Paul
The collegiate church of Saints-Pierre-et-Paul stands directly in the center of the Grand-Place. Building of the choir started in the 13th C. but the tower was not completed until the 18th C.
The church interior contains Baroque choir stalls (1702) and the tombs of Charles de Croy, the chamberlain of Charles V, Madame Tallien and Jean Froissart. Among the church treasure is a small chest decorated with Byzantine mosaics which belonged to Philippe de Croy.
The church interior contains Baroque choir stalls (1702) and the tombs of Charles de Croy, the chamberlain of Charles V, Madame Tallien and Jean Froissart. Among the church treasure is a small chest decorated with Byzantine mosaics which belonged to Philippe de Croy.
Attractions in Other Popular Destinations
