Launch of the Interreg TRAVER(RE)SE Project

On June 6, 2026, the Traver(re)se project officially kicked off in Trélon, in the heart of the Avesnois region. Through an open house event, the partners offered a first glimpse of the future tourist routes that will highlight the glassmaking history of the Franco-Belgian region along EuroVelo 3.

🏛️ A Shared Heritage to Rediscover

Between Picardy Wallonia, the southern part of the province of Hainaut, and the Avesnois region, the glass industry has profoundly shaped the landscapes, the economy, and the lives of many communities. Yet, much of this history remains unknown to the general public today.
The Interreg France-Wallonia-Flanders project Traver(re)se aims to change this by creating five cross-border tourist routes that will connect iconic sites of the glassmaking heritage. The goal is to help people discover this shared industrial heritage while promoting sustainable transportation and local tourism.
The project was launched at the Atelier-Musée du Verre in Trélon, one of the key sites in this cross-border glassmaking history.

🚴 A day dedicated to discovery

To mark the project’s launch, the partners invited the public to follow a route of about 35 kilometers connecting several French and Belgian towns: Momignies, Anor, Fourmies, Glageon, and Trélon. Participants could complete the route by bike or by bus, with activities offered at each stop.

In Momignies, a participatory, intergenerational exhibition highlighted memories and contrasts related to the local glassmaking history. In Anor, visitors explored the conversion of the former Verrerie Blanche into a space designed for new uses. Fourmies, meanwhile, offered activities centered on cycling and sustainable transportation, in connection with EuroVelo 3.

In Glageon, industrial heritage met digital tools thanks to an educational program developed by the Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France centered on the former Dubois glassworks. An interactive map, archival photographs, and a digital reconstruction allowed visitors to rediscover a site that no longer exists but remains alive in the region’s collective memory.

🔮 Glass in all its forms in Trélon

Throughout the afternoon, the Trélon Glass Museum and Workshop hosted numerous activities designed to introduce visitors to the world of glassmaking from various perspectives. Glassblowing demonstrations, guided tours, creative workshops, an introduction to glass engraving, an immersive virtual reality experience, and an exhibition dedicated to the region’s glassmaking heritage set the tone for the day.
Visitors also had the opportunity to experience a sound installation created from testimonies of former glassworkers gathered on both sides of the border, illustrating the importance of preserving this industrial heritage.
The day ended in a festive atmosphere 🎉 with the show “Le P’tit Bal Portatif,” bringing together participants, residents, and partners for this symbolic launch.

🗺️ Building a tourist destination centered on glass

Beyond this inaugural event, Traver(re)se aims to develop a genuine cross-border tourism offering centered on glassmaking heritage. Future itineraries will connect historical, cultural, and natural sites while highlighting the craftsmanship, stories, and landscapes shaped by centuries of glassmaking.
By combining heritage, culture, tourism, and sustainable transportation, the project helps enhance the region’s appeal while forging new ties between French and Belgian stakeholders.