The four lifts on the Centre Canal and their environs

The four lifts on the Canal du Centre and their surrounds The industrial revolution in the 19th century gave rise to major industrial development, particularly in the province of Hainaut. There are few natural waterways in the area, and so much work was done to create a large network of canals. The Canal du Centre, wich runs through the Province of Hainaut, spans the 24 kms between Mons and Seneffe and is the main waterway connecting France, the Port of Antwerp, the Netherlands and Germany. Work on the canal began in 1882 and was completed in 1917, creating a link between the Escaut and Meuse basins.