The Strépy-Thieu boat lift is located in Belgium
address
HAINAUT TOURISME - Voies d'Eau du Hainaut, Tel .: 32 78/059 059, Fax: 32 065/39 71 80, e-mail: [email protected], The huge boat lift of Strépy-Thieu, Rue Raymon Cordier 50, B-7070 Thieu
getting there
It is best to use the train (IR) from Charleroi-Sud towards Mons to the Thieu stop. In Thieu you go down the street at the train station and you come to a bridge. There is also a hydraulic elevator on the "old" canal. This elevator is suitable for ships up to 300 tons and is used today for pleasure boating or as a tourist attraction. Before the bridge you go up the stairs and along the old canal to the bridge. From here you have a beautiful view of the huge Strépy-Thieu elevator. Cross the canal at the bridge and walk towards the elevator. In Thieu, follow the signs to the visitor center.
opening hours
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from 1.2. until 29.11. every day from 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. (last admission: 5 p.m.)
Boat trip only on Sundays from 3.5. until 13. 9. at 11:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. upstream and at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. downstream, duration: 1 hour
Entrance fees
without boat trip Adults € 5.50; 13-18 year olds, students, seniors € 5.00; Children from 4 to 12 years of age € 5.00
with boat trip Adults € 9.00; 13-18 year olds, students, seniors € 8.00; Children from 4 to 12 years € 2.50
Groups by appointment Combined ticket with adult boat trip € 7; 13-18 year old students, senior citizens € 6.50; Children aged 4-12 € 4.00
background
The Strépy-Thieu boat lift is a vertical lift and one of the largest in the world. It is located on the Canal du Center between Charleroi and Mons and replaces the 4 hydraulic lifts on the "old canal" at La Louviere.
Technical specifications
- Difference in altitude: 73 m
- Capacity: 2 ships with up to 1350 t
- Construction period: 1982 to 2002
- Duration of a ride: 20 min
- Weight of a trough: 8000 t
exhibition
In the visitor center there is an interactive exhibition in 4 languages (English, German, French, Dutch) about famous Belgians, such as the architect Viktor Horta or Adolphe Sax, who invented the saxophone. There is also a video about the construction of the elevator, a look into the engine room, showcases that explain how it works and an exhibition of the fossils found during construction.
