Strépy-Thieu Boat Lift

Located in the municipality of Le Rœulx, not far from Charleroi, the Strépy-Thieu boat lift is a stop you definitely have to make. With a height difference of over 73 meters, it’s one of the tallest boat lifts in the world and it plays a key role in connecting the Meuse and Scheldt rivers.

The structure was completed in 2002 as part of a major modernization of the Canal du Centre, replacing older locks and lifts that could no longer handle the demands of modern river traffic. Today, it allows large vessels (up to 1,350 tonnes) to travel smoothly between canal levels.

Visiting the lift gives you a good sense of how much thought and effort went into its construction. It’s a massive, precise piece of engineering, with two huge caissons that move boats up and down like elevators. There’s a visitor center that explains the mechanics and history, and you can even take a boat ride through the lift itself.

While the site isn’t particularly flashy, it has a quiet kind of presence, especially if you’re interested in infrastructure, logistics, or the intersection of function and design. It’s a unique stop in Wallonia that adds another layer to the region’s industrial story.

Want to visit? Check out the website.