Just when we thought British public transport was rubbish you raise this question!

The nearest parts of France aren't the easiest to reach. The French towns would be Mauberge or Aulnoye and Belgian Railways actually advertise a "Trampoline" ticket from Mons to either of these places via Quevy. What they don't say is that the French have stopped running trains to Quevy so the ticket is useless! I did think about buses but the TEC website is hopeless so I gave up. It's odd really that when they had proper borders with controls they ran trains but now it's all open and easy they don't!

Never mind, I do have a suggestion. Lille has a nice city centre with plenty of places to eat and a direct train from Mons every hour (34 minutes past usually). Journey time is usually 46 minutes although a couple are slower (don't use the 11:34!!). Don't plan on going on a Sunday or Public Holiday (like 14th July). Can't help on the fare as the system is rubbish but it should be reasonable.

Hi Steve, many thanks for your reply mate, as always spot on information, we have decided due to time restrictions that we won't bother with France this time, instead we are taking the soft option and doing a bit of a bar crawl around La Louviere, never been there before but been through it, I don't think we will go thirsty there either