Friday 03/05/2024
Boat trip from Ronquières to Strépy-Thieu, with passage over the Inclined Plane of Ronquières and through the boat lift of Strépy-Thieu. Return by bus or your own bike.
The Charleroi-Brussels Canal connects the former coal basins of Charleroi with the port of Brussels. In the 20th century, it became increasingly important for more and larger ships carrying their coal, steel and building materials to be able to travel smoothly between Wallonia and Brussels, which was impossible with the many small locks on the old canal....
In 1957, work began on the construction of a wider and deeper canal and the construction of a 1400m 'Inclined Plane'. In one go the 16 small locks on the old canal could be replaced by this single construction. The inclined plane of Ronquières was commissioned in 1968.
Our boat trip starts at the foot of this inclined plane. In a large water basin, we 'track' upwards and overcome a height difference of 68m. Having reached the top, we set course for Seneffe, where the Charleroi-Brussels Canal and the new Centre Canal merge.
A short stop at Houdeng-Goegnies offers the opportunity to visit the No.1 hydraulic ship lift, located on the historic "Canal du Centre"The site was classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
We then cruise on the new Canal du Centre, which was built over some 500m as a kind of aqueduct high above the Hainaut landscape. While nipping from your drink, you will enjoy wide views of the surroundings from the deck of the ship.
Finally, we reach the impressive ship elevator of Strépy-Thieu. After a 73m descent in this impressive cable lift we reach the quay of Thieu, where our boat trip ends.
We bring you back to Ronquières by bus. Or you can bike back.
Catering on board
Would you like to eat something during your tourist boat trip?
We offer a number of catering options.
Reservation in advance is required.
Have a look at our beverage lists:
>> Beverage list for DE ARK and VIVALDI
>> Beverage list for MOZART, VERDI and KATIMA
If you wish to eat something on board on a tourist trip, it's possible:
>> Tasty and budget-friendly meals on DE ARK and VIVALDI
>> Tasty and budget-friendly meals on MOZART and VERDI
Shared meals that require special equipment (cool box, large packaging, plate and cutlery) are not allowed on board.
Bringing your own sandwich is allowed. Beverage must be purchased on board.
Boating & cycling
Do you love our waterways and nature, a relaxing bike ride and a fresh breeze aboard a ship? Then a boat trip through the Green Belt, the Zenne Valley or the National Park Scheldt Valley is definitely something for you. Out by boat and back by bike or vice versa: most boat trips can be perfectly combined with a relaxing bike ride. You can explore the region along one of the many signposted cycling routes. Cycling is done on your own initiative and with your own bike.
• BOAT AND BIKE ON THE SCHELDT
Combine a bike trip in the Schelde region with a cruise on the river Schelde in the afternoon
• BOAT AND BIKE BETWEEN TEMSE AND MECHELEN
Combine a varied boat trip on the Schelde with a bike trip along the dykes and tow paths of the Schelde and Dijle region.
• BOAT AND BIKE IN THE CENTER REGION AND NEARBY THE CANALCHARLEROI-BRUSSELS
Click here to open the bike route map
- Boat trip from Ronquières to Strépy-Thieu and cycling along the historic Canal du Centre and the old Canal Seneffe - Ronquières.
- Boat trip from Strépy-Thieu to Seneffe and cycling along the old Seneffe - Ronquières canal, the sources of the Zenne and via Ecaussines and the new Centre canal to Strépy-Thieu (+/- 40 km).
- Boat trip from Strépy-Thieu to Houdeng-Goegnies and cycling along the historic Centre Canal with its hydraulic lifts.
• BOAT AND BIKE IN BRUSSELS AND THE GREEN BELT
- Boat trip between Halle and Brussels and biking along the Zenne and the Zenne canal (+/- 30km)
- Canal shuttle between Brussels and Vilvoorde and biking through the northern green belt (+/- 20km )
• CYCLING ROUTES
Elaborated bicycle routes on fietsknooppunt.be
Our ships
The Rivertours ships can welcome 30 to 300 guests for an event, a party, an excursion,... Each ship has its own atmosphere, setting and décor and is equipped with a bar, as well as audio and multimedia equipment. We set out from various embarkation points, with or without catering.
Verdi
Mozart
Vivaldi
Katima
De Ark
