One of Bordeaux’s oldest landmarks, the Grosse Cloche is a medieval belfry that once served as a gate and even a prison for young offenders. The two towers on either side are about 40 metres tall and frame the central bell tower. The current bell, cast in the 18th century, weighs nearly 8 tonnes and still rings on special days.

A weekend trip to Ghent is simply not complete without a visit to the mysterious ‘Castle of the Counts’. This important sight in Ghent is a castle with a very turbulent past, closely intertwined with the complex—often stormy—political and social history of the city. It is the only remaining mediaeval castle with a moat and largely intact defence system in Flanders. Your visit to the Castle of the Counts will give you a complete picture of heraldic culture in the 12th century. The gatehouse, ramparts, keep, count’s residence and stables are open to visitors. Be sure to go up the long spiral staircase to the museum of torture devices on the top floor of the Castle of the Counts. Here, you will find a unique collection of instruments for torture and coercion, as well as a collection of weapons. The Castle of the Counts also hosts all kinds of cultural activities, events and activities, for example during the Ghent Festivities. It is also a popular place to get married for Ghent’s locals. Let’s not forget the time the Castle of the Counts was occupied by protesting students in 1949! Explore the castle during your weekend trip in Ghent and find out all about the ‘Battle of the Castle of the Counts’. The keep, symbol of the Counts’ power Go back in time inside this majestic fortress. Its history goes back to the time of the Roman occupation, when there was already a settlement on a sand bank by the River Lys. After a brief period of Viking plundering, the Counts of Flanders converted the earlier wooden constructions into a keep (living quarters) in the Middle Ages, with ramparts built entirely of stone, replete with 24 towers. The imposing building with its military architecture was a symbol of the Counts’ power in the turbulent city of Ghent. Do you want to dig deep into the history of Ghent? This is where you need to be. Ghent, full of charming history and modern vibrancy.

Probably the most photographed spot in Bordeaux—and for good reason. The 18th-century buildings around Place de la Bourse are part of the city’s UNESCO-listed historic centre, and they reflect perfectly in the shallow pool of the Miroir d’eau just across the road. It looks great early in the morning, but the reflections are just as striking in the evening when everything’s lit up. Kids run through the mist when it sprays every 15 minutes in summer, and photographers camp out for that symmetrical shot.