Of the numerous belfries in Belgium, I first visited the one in Lier. Lier is a picturesque small town near Antwerp. It also has an old Beguinage, part of another world heritage. The tower in Lier distinguishes itself because of the 4 little towers. It's situated at a typical Flemish square, where a market for pigeon enthusiasts was going on when I was there.

The belfry in Leuven, another nice Flemish town, I visited four years later. It's part of St. Peter's church. This tower has quite an unusual shape because it was left unfinished.

The first French belfry I saw in Amiens. I had expected Amiens to be a lot more like those Belgian towns, but there isn't much left of its medieval history besides the city's two highlights: the Cathedral and this belfry.

The belfry in Gent was the first one that I climbed. Its stairs are narrow and winding, so it is not for all. I met an English-speaking tourist on the way up, who had left his wife behind downstairs. It does reward one with a magnificent view of the skyline of Gent.

I visited during the festivities of its 700th birthday (1313-2013). The circuit let us also into the quarters of the St. Michaels guild (now a fencing club) in the Cloth Hall that is built against the belfry. With a good zoom lens, you can also see the 4 guard statues that are placed on the corners of the belfry.