Mons

Mons, situated in the western reaches of Wallonia, has an historical military association for it was here that the British Army fought its first battle in WW1. As well, when General de Gaulle kicked NATO out of Paris in 1967, NATO's SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe) relocated here. The heart of Mons is the Grand-Place, a long, elegant square flanked by substantial stone former merchants' houses and terrace cafés, and it was to here I first headed. The square is dominated by the 15th century Hôtel de Ville. Outside, on its front wall, sits a tiny cast-iron monkey which, according to local folklore, will bring you happiness and good luck for a year if you stroke his head with your left hand, hence his bald, polished crown. I'll look forward to exploring more of the town tomorrow.



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