Spiennes Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Spiennes is a small village with about a thousand inhabitants in Wallonia, close to Mons. The town itself is mostly an attraction for what it once was, that being the foremost Neolithic production centre of pre-historic Europe. The town's UNESCO-listed flint mines were active between 4,300 and 2,200 BC, and tools made of Spiennes flints have been distributed far and wide through Europe.

Spiennes is situated about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) south-east of Mons which has a train station and more links to the rest of the region and country.

The best way to reach Spiennes is by taking your own mode of transit. In that sense, a car is most convenient. The town can be reached by departing from Mons in an easterly direction using the N90, and switching onto the N40 (Chaussée de Beaumont) heading south. After 2.7 kilometres (1.7 mi), turn right onto Rue Gontrand Bachy, which is the main route into Spiennes.

Mons is the nearest train station. Reaching Mons from Brussels Airport (BRU ^IATA) can be done in as little as an hour and twenty minutes. Bus lines 34 and 134 make stops by Spiennes' church (Église) and school (École). Alternatively, you could rent a bike, or start a hike by following RAVeL line 109a, which follows the alignment of the former railway between Cuesmes and Chimay. This RAVeL line more or less dead ends by the Rue du Point du Jour, which connects with both the former flint mines (Silex's), and the town itself. Line 109a connects easily with lines 98 and 98c, allowing for easy connections with most towns and cities in Wallonia's industrial heartland.

Spiennes is very small and easily covered on foot.

The mines are not a large tourist attraction and there are only a few signs. They are located in farm land to the West of the village. The only noticeable landmark to head for are the blue containers in the field where you can park. The visitors center is just next to these.

• 50.4200193.9825441 Silex's, Rue du Point du Jour, ☏ +32 65 40 53 25, [email protected]. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, the Spiennes archaeological site is one of the oldest and largest centres for the extraction of flint in Europe. Dotted with thousands of mine shafts, the site extends over 250 acres at a distance of four miles from the city of Mons. Digging mine shafts to as much as 16 metres in depth, Neolithic man invented techniques to extract large slabs of flint, in some cases weighing hundreds of kilos. He also developed techniques for cutting the flint, which are now recognised as early evidence of human ingenuity. In the midst of beautiful greenery, the SILEX'S interpretive centre at the Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes allows visitors to understand all facets of this internationally renowned archaeological site. Visitors have the possibility to go on educational walks at surface level, visit the semi-permanent exhibition, and descend into a real Neolithic flint mine. (updated Jun 2018)

Neolithic Flint Mines^{[dead link]} The mines are perhaps the only real reason to divert to Spiennes they cover more than 100 ha, are the largest and earliest concentration of ancient mines in Europe. They were actively used from 4400 - 2000 years B.C.

Practicalities

Without appointment: From March to November, on the first Sunday of each month, from 10 to 16 o'clock.

Groups from 10 persons: All the year round, by appointment only, tel: +32 65 35-34-78 or e-mail [email protected]. If you want to have a visit in English, send a short e-mail to the same address listed above.

Costs: Adults €2.5, Children (must be at least 12 years old and accompanied by an adult) €1.25.

The temperature in the mines is constant: from 8° to 10°C. So wear appropriate clothes. Rain-wear would be useful, as would walking or sports shoes, and a pair of trousers.

The tours are run by volunteers and facilities are very basic. The visit includes a descent in the mines, by means of a vertical ladder which is 8 meters high. If you are uncomfortable with an unassisted climb of 8 meters or are claustrophobic then a visit would need extra consideration. However the welcome is very warm and you will receive a more thorough experience than at many other tourist sites.

Mons is the nearest place that has hotels.