Conference venue

The conference will be held at the modern Van der Valk Hotel Mons Congres & Spa, ideally located in the heart of Mons and directly connected to the Mons Congress Center. The venue offers comfortable accommodation, fully equipped conference facilities, high-speed Wi-Fi, restaurant and lounge areas, as well as wellness and fitness facilities.

The hotel is easily accessible by train and car, and is located just opposite the newly renovated Mons railway station, which provides direct connections to Brussels and other major cities. Designed by the renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, the station is itself a remarkable architectural landmark and provides a direct connection between the historic city center and the modern Grands Prés district.

The old town — including the Grand-Place of Mons, the UNESCO-listed Belfry of Mons, and the Sainte-Waudru Collegiate Church — is within walking distance and offers numerous restaurants, cafés, and local shops. The Grands Prés area also features many restaurants, stores, and commercial facilities, allowing participants to fully enjoy both sides of the city during their stay (see the map on the Accomodation page).

 

How to get to Mons

Mons is ideally located at the heart of Europe and easily accessible from many international destinations. Whether travelling by plane, train, or car, participants can conveniently reach Mons thanks to its proximity to major international airports, excellent rail connections, and direct access to the European motorway network.

By plane

Getting to Mons by plane is simple and convenient thanks to the proximity of several international airports.

Brussels Airport (Zaventem): Located about 70 km from Mons, this airport is the main hub for international flights in Belgium. From the airport, you can reach Mons by direct train or car in approximately one hour

Charleroi Airport (Brussels South): Only 45 km away, this is the closest option. Shuttle services and car rentals allow you to reach Mons in just 30 minutes.

Other options: The airports in Lille-Lesquin (France) and Liège also offer convenient connections to Mons.

By train

Getting to Mons by train is a fast, comfortable, and eco-friendly option. Thanks to its major train station served by both national and international lines, Mons is easily accessible from many European cities.

From Brussels: Direct trains connect Brussels to Mons in about 40 minutes. Departures are frequent from the main Brussels stations (Central Station, Midi Station).

From Paris: New: A direct train now connects Paris to Mons. The full journey takes about 3 hours.

From Lille: Direct trains allow you to reach Mons in just 1 hour and 10 minutes, perfect for a quick day trip.

From London: You can travel from London to Mons by taking the Eurostar to Brussels, followed by a direct SNCB train to Mons, with a total journey time of around 3 hours.

From other Belgian cities: Mons is directly connected to major cities like Charleroi, Namur, and Liège via the SNCB network.