Anderlues is synonymous with “Bourlettis”, the nickname given to the locals which stems from the main landmark in the area: the “Bourlette” tower. What do they have in common? A party-loving spirit, folklore and a penchant for hospitality. Anderlues is also a municipality undergoing rapid development: a mainly urban yet also green area, which means enjoying the tranquillity and independence of a residential area whilst having access to an excellent commercial hub right on your doorstep, not to mention the abundant sporting infrastructure and metro links to Charleroi. People moving here soon feel at home with the Bourletti, it seems. How about you? Time for a new adventure?

Address : 21 Place Albert 1er – 6150 Anderlues

In the heart of the Hennuyère countryside (the province takes its name from la Haine, a watercourse with its source in the municipality), Anderlues is a charming neighbourhood, essentially residential and commercial, located between Charleroi (13 km) and Binche (8 km). What makes it special? It was never merged with any other municipality during the 1977 merger process. This is probably what explains the feelings of pride, independence and belonging that animate its 12,254 inhabitants, nicknamed the “Bourlettis” in reference to the Roman tower that symbolises the village: la Bourlette. Extremely well situated, Anderlues enjoys excellent transport links thanks to its proximity to the R3 and E42, and also to the light rail system that takes you directly to Charleroi, as well as several bus services.

A municipality in the throes of change

Whilst having preserved traces of its gritty, industrial past such as the elegant “headframe” at pit No. 2, Anderlues has also turned it to its advantage. It was the first municipality in Belgium to produce green energy using mine gas (firedamp), which is making an active contribution to protecting the environment and climate. There is no doubt that this little town is booming, as seen from its urban and economic development, but also developments in sport. A renovation plan is currently being implemented and is gradually changing the face of the town: its sporting infrastructure has been fully upgraded and the commercial centre is thriving, bringing all the big household names to the area. Housing is also one of the municipality’s priorities. Several projects have already been finalised and the keen interest shown by private investors in Anderlues just grows and grows with the development of new urban areas for houses and apartments of different sizes and rental categories.

The town’s renewal is also reaching into the countryside which, following the disappearance of the mining industry, is slowly becoming more rural, with its slag heaps progressively being cloaked in lush vegetation. Moving away from the centre, you quickly find yourself surrounded by fields of arable crops offering sweeping views over the neighbouring countryside, whilst Anderlues’ proximity to the Canal du Centre offers walking and cycling opportunities all along the canal.

A municipality of ‘bons vivants’

Anderlues is a carnival town. Each year, the Feureu procession (centering on the mardi gras ‘Gilles’ characters, as in Binche for example, and consisting of no fewer than 8 societies), brings the village’s streets to life and draws out the vast majority of the inhabitants, no matter how old they are, as well as throngs of visitors. Whilst they are deeply attached to the things that make them unique, the Bourlettis also love to share them with others. The twinning with the French municipality of Gigondas creates many exchanges and an annual festival with a banquet, wine-tasting, sampling of local delicacies and face-to-face meetings with the people who produce them.

Once the twinning and carnival season winds down, the Bourlettis always manage to find other opportunities to get together around sport, culture or folklore, each one as vibrant as the next. The municipality boasts a large range of sports halls and infrastructure, as well as a dynamic cultural centre which offers a cinema, theatre, exhibitions and conferences, and is home to the activities of the many neighbourhood associations, whether their focus is culture, creation, folklore or something else entirely.

With its proximity to all commodities and commercial outlets, Anderlues is a town undergoing serious renewal and it has no shortage of assets, which really are worth taking a look at. Are you nearly there yet?

Advantages

Practical matters

• Lines 1 and 2 of the light rail to Charleroi (20 minutes away)
• Several bus lines, especially serving Thieu, Morlanwelz, La Louvière, Strépy-Bracquegnies, Chapelle-lez-Herlaimont, Montigny-le-Tilleul, Binche and La Hestre
• Close to major highways (N90, N55, N59 and E42, among others): 15 minutes away from Thuin, 20 minutes from Charleroi, 30 minutes from Mons, 45 minutes from Brussels.
• Commercial centre with all major household names (fashion, food, decoration, DIY, etc.)
• Business park

Living

• Residential and commercial
• Possibility to buy plots of land and properties at attractive prices, new housing developments being built
• Urban in nature, but with easy access to green spaces

Leisure activities

• Home of sport, multi-sports hall, swimming pool, Jean XXIII Suite
• Cultural centre
• Bouba City: large indoor play area