A century-old canal
Well, the Canal du Centre historique and its four hydraulic elevators are one of the most remarkable examples of the industrial landscape of the last century.
The Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as are its century-old elevators, which are unique in the world! After all, they're the only ones still operating in their original state, powered solely by water.
Boat excursions
To make the most of this historic site, we offer boat cruises, departing from the Strépy-Thieu funicular elevator to the Canal du Centre historique, to cross an engineering structure, elevator no. 4, and then disembarking opposite elevator no. 3 to visit the machine room, where you can discover the secrets of manufacture and operation.
It really is a walk along the water, and a charming one at that! Of course, the boat sails slowly, allowing you to admire a bucolic landscape in the heart of an urban area steeped in industrial history.
A historic site
Speaking of historical places, there's the Cantine des Italiens, which stands on the banks of the historic Canal, with an interpretation center that bears witness to the living conditions of Italian immigrants.
But it's also a place to relax, with a restaurant and terrace where you can enjoy a meal or a drink. And let's not forget one of our fun activities, our electric boats, which allow you to navigate a portion of the historic Canal du Centre. It's a great activity for the whole family or just a group of friends, as you take a trip along the water to discover structures such as Lift No. 1 or the Houdeng-Aimeries swing bridge.