Charleroi will host the start of the Flèche Wallonne for the 30th time. A symbolic figure for a symbolic relocation: it is, in fact, from the Ville-Haute quarter, from Place Vauban, known for its recently rebuilt fountains, that this iconic race will set off. A university campus has just been built in the same old quarter, giving the city a new lease on life. It is a central element of a revival that began in the lower part of the city just over five years ago and was accompanied by the renovation of several sports facilities. With its rich industrial past, Charleroi fascinates lovers of urban, cultural and underground activities. Its region is a land of contrasts, where the scenery mixes and collides to offer an unforgettable experience, from the towpath of the Sambre to the top of a slag heap for admirable panoramas. Cyclists will find a close-knit network of routes in the Charleroi area, including those created by the Hainaut Province with the «Points-Nœuds» network. This year, we will be celebrating the 76th anniversary of the first start of the Flèche in Charleroi: in 1948, the prelude to a prosperous career, local legend Pino Cerami finished 9th in this edition, won by the Italian Fermo Camellini. Charleroi also hosted the Tour de France six times between 1957 and 2004, with the honour of being the scene of its Grand Départ in 1975. And the return of the Flèche in 2021 has put the city back on the international cycling map.