Charleroi is the first city and municipality of Wallonia in population. It is located in Belgium in the Walloon province of Hainaut. The municipality features an industrial area, iron and steel industry, glassworks, chemicals, and electrical engineering. Charleroi is in the center of a vast coal basin, called Pays nor. Many slag heaps still surround the city.

Attractions

• The belfry is included in the list of World Heritage Sites.
• The Maison Dorée was built in 1899 by the Art Nouveau architect Alfred Frère. The name of this masterpiece comes from the golden sgraffiti that adorn the façade.
• The city is also the home of several museums (fine-arts, glass, photogtaphy…)