The Grand Hospice is on the site of the former Beguine convent of Cantimpret, founded in the mid-13th century by Marguerite de Constantinople (countess of Flanders and Hainaut from 1244 to 1280). The old chapel still survives and can be seen at the rear. This huge group of buildings has the shape of a neoclassical building constructed from 1829 to 1831 of brick and stone over two levels on a high base. The succession of many windows, most of them with a moulded surround in relief, over all three levels is broken on the first two floors by a monumental doorway flanked with Tuscan columns and supporting a Doric entablature.
Now restored, the Grand Hospice houses the external administrative services of Hainaut I for the Directorate General of Planning, Housing, Heritage and Energy.
Building listed on 13th January 1989
