No taxis at the railway station 'security'. You go online for one and the then meet up under a big advert on the other side of the canal. Difficult to find places to eat. The Charleroi airport 'South Brussels'/Ryanair is famously dreadful. I would never use it again - there is a proper one in Brussels. Fortunately the hotel advised us to get there 3 hours early. Taxis can't reach the front door - 'security'. The time was needed. Inside was scary, like being in a moving unhappy football crowd. We got back, just.

Charlerois not an obvious tourist destination, as it really is a struggling city. But the upper town with the art deco town hall and the main church on an octagonal square has the feel of slightly surrealist film set. One can have a nice stroll through city, exploring its different layers of time and the life of the inhabitants with their very mixed heritage. And if you are inclined to adventures of the everyday, you will enjoy this city.

I would not recommend that for children, even with people with disabilities; just saying! no pic to upload waste of time, unfortunately, as I had straight to Brussels city centre next day with the family.

It's of no interest, unless you want to do some research into bad taste in town planning, or how a lack of respect and civility creeps into a city where finding a member of the police force who speaks a little English is like a treasure hunt. Speaking of treasure, many citizens will try to steal your cigarettes and coins, as they do in other cities, but in Charleroi a refusal is at best an insult and at worst a spit in the eye.

For those who like comic books, it's worth visiting some metro stations with characters on the interior tiles. There are very good restaurants (I enjoyed the Vietnamese one next to the hotel). The traditional shopping streets near the La Gauche shopping centre are worth a visit and it's a must to try the ‘Gayettes du pays noir’ (handmade truffles).

the airport was terrible it was chaos you need to go really early to get through the security it took us over 2 hours the bus to the airport is just across the road from hotel which is very convenient