The view from the Belfries of Belgium and France

#springwander The bell towers of Belgium and France were first registered as World Cultural Heritage in 1999 in the Flanders and Walloon regions of Belgium, followed by 23 in the Nord-Pa-de-Calle and Picardi regions of France in 2005. One bell tower from the Belgian Ganblue (Jean-Blu) bell tower has been additionally registered. A total of 56 bell towers span two countries, France and Belgium. France and Belgium were once transportation hubs, so they had great economic power due to the movement of goods and people. As a symbol of freedom and prosperity, people built bell towers in city halls, cathedrals, and squares throughout the city. These bell towers were built in the 11th and 17th centuries, and each reflects the architectural style of the time it was built.