Péruwelz ( ; ; ) is a city and municipality of Wallonia located in the province of Hainaut, Belgium.

On 1 January 2018 Péruwelz had a total population of 17,113. The total area is 60.56&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> which gives a population density of 280 inhabitants per km<sup>2</sup>.

This municipality is more specifically situated in Western Hainaut, also called Picardy Wallonia. Péruwelz is also near France, near the cities of "Condé-sur-l'Escaut", "Vieux Condé", "Hergnies", and is near the forest of Bon-Secours, the location of the castle of (l')Hermitage.

Reputed natives

  • Jean Absil (1893–1974), composer, organist, and professor
  • Louis Constant Wairy (1778–1845), chief valet of Napoleon Bonaparte. Published elaborate Memoirs, relating his experiences at the French Imperial Court.

thumb|Portrait of Louis Constant Wairy (1813)

Composition of the municipality

thumb|left

The current municipality of Péruwelz was formed in 1977 when the following ten municipalities were joined:

  • I. Péruwelz
  • II. Bon-Secours
  • III. Roucourt
  • IV. Bury (site of Bitremont Castle, or the Château de Bitremont)
  • V. Braffe
  • VI. Baugnies
  • VII. Wasmes-Audemez-Briffœil
  • VIII. Brasménil
  • IX. Wiers
  • X. Callenelle

The municipality also includes these villages:

  • (XI.) Briffœil
  • (XII.) Audemez
  • (XIII.) Ringies
  • (XIV.) Ponange

Fountains

Péruwelz has a number of natural springs:

  • The Dubuisson-Copin's washing-place fountain is in the communal gardens created in 1912. This fountain is the busiest.
  • De la Ferté Fountain
  • Du Flassart fountain, on the little place since 1898.
  • Jaunay-Clan fountain. Jaunay-Clan is the name of the commune paired with Péruwelz. This fountain is made of stones from Jaunay-Clan.
  • Du Maréchal fountain. In the past named "Magrite fountain", "des Quatre-Cailloux fountain", and "des cailloux gris posés de chant fountain" until it was named "Du Maréchal fountain" in 1887 after its restoration.
  • Tanchou fountain.
  • De Verquesies fountain

Certain springs are not potable, tests are performed every day.

<gallery>

Péruwelz JPG05.jpg|Simon Garden

Péruwelz JPG06.jpg|Dubuisson-Copin's fountain

</gallery>

References