Major Sabbe barracks, now the Carré des Arts

Built between 1824 and 1827, the Caserne Guillaume was originally a modern barracks for the foot hunters of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. After World War I, it was renamed "Major Sabbe Barracks" and remained in use until World War II. It then became the home of the Jean d'Avesnes Athenaeum. Since 1995, the barracks have been repurposed for higher artistic education, becoming a true cultural hub of the city. In 2000, the regional television station Télé Mons Borinage also established its offices there. Today, the Caserne Guillaume is a place of creativity and connection. Every year, during the first half of July, it hosts the "Festival au Carré", a flagship event dedicated to performing arts and contemporary creations.