Paliseul - Ottenburg

Le Château fort

The castle Situated on a rocky ridge above the river Semois, the château is actually on two sites. On one rocky spur there was a typical castle mound. In 1082, a second dungeon was built by Godefroid de Bouillon, who sold the estate to the bishop of Liège before leaving for the Crusades. The chateau was subsequently altered, particularly by Vauban during the period of French occupation; projecting fortifications, barracks, arsenal and a powder magazine were added. The dungeon was demolished in 1824, during the period of Dutch rule, to make way for further barracks, but the military site was decommissioned in 1853. It rapidly became a very popular tourist location. Monument et site classés par Arrêté royal (26-05-1975) Repris sur la liste du P. E. de Wallonie

Author:

The former abbey of Floreffe

The former abbey at Floreffe stands on a rocky spur overlooking the Sambre valley. In 1121, encouraged by St Norbert, a small community of monks built what became the third-largest monastic house of the Premonstratensian order. The abbey church was built from the 12th century onwards, combining the Romanesque and Gothic styles, but was remodelled in the neoclassical style in the 18th century. It has large carved wooden choir stalls and a fine baroque library. Some interesting vestiges of the mediaeval buildings remain, including the room for the lay brothers, which is decorated with old paintings, as well as the vaulted refectory and the mill. The quality contemporary contribution made by the architect, Roger Bastin, to the new school buildings extends the centuries-old architectural history of Floreffe. Building listed on 6th August 1942 and building and site listed on 8th November 1977 Listed as an exceptional heritage site of Wallonia  

Author:

Hostellerie De La Semois

Author:

The church of Saint-Feuillen

  The church of Saint-Feuillen was built on the site of a Merovingian sanctuary dedicated to St Peter and two successive Carolingian buildings. In 1086, the eastern section of the chancel was built, as was a crypt. Of these earlier buildings, only the Ottonian front section and the transept still survive. The naves and their chapels were rebuilt between 1721 and 1723. The front section of the church, dating from the end of the 10th century, is flanked by two stair turrets topped by a powerful Romanesque tower and limestone blocks. It is made up of four levels and was topped by a Baroque spire at the beginning of the 18th century. The nave, in brick and bluestone, is flanked by side aisles in limestone blocks, adjoining two chapels with brick gables. The spans are barrel vaulted and stuccoed, with joist arches decorated with classic motifs. The prominent transept was half levelled in the 18th century and is one of the remnants preserved from the earlier buildings (Carolingian and Romanesque). The chancel has five bays with groined vaulting. It adjoins an axial chapel with three bays dating from 1655 and is above the 19th century crypt. Some of the outstanding pieces among the furnishings include the Baroque high altar, the 16th-century stalls and Romanesque baptismal fonts. Listed: 24-11-1941 (with the exception of the organ) Exceptional heritage site of Wallonia  

Author:

The church Saint-Martin of Dion-le-Val

Built from 1837 to 1838 by Moreau, the neoclassical church of St Martin of Dion-le-Val is part of a group of buildings that also includes the presbytery, outbuildings and grounds, as well as the buildings of the old farm and square. The building's interior was refurbished in 2003 by the architect, Jean Cosse, and tends towards a refined style. The walls have been repainted and items of furniture removed to create an "earth-coloured" nave. The building houses small statues from local rural origins, as well as Renaissance recumbent figures dating from the 16th century, including Philippe de Dion (died 1532), the local landowner. Listed: (2-12-1959)

Author:

Eglise Saint-Guibert

  Saint-Guibert church is the former abbey church for the Benedictine abbey in Gembloux. Founded in 940 by the knight Wicbertus (later known as St Guibert). The current building was constructed between 1762 and 1779 by Laurent-Benoit Dewez, a famous architect from the Austrian Low Countries, after a fire in 1678 that not only ravaged the abbey, but also the town. After the secularisation of possessions and the abolition of religious orders, the abbey was sold in 1797. The abbey church then became a parish church in 1812 to replace the old parish church situated in Rue des Abbés Comtes. The building  was originally in the shape of a cross, but was extended with a square and raised between 1885 and 1886 in order to form a nave.  Today, the secular buildings of the abbey have been annexed by the Agronomy Faculty of Gembloux (University of Liège – Gembloux Agro-bio Tech). Built in brick and stone, with a limestone base, the church has a nave with three bays, a prominent transept and chancel with flat chevet. The façade features an arched doorway built from the original structure. The door has a foliage keystone and is topped by a triangular pediment. The nave and its three spans have convex trapezoid openings and keyed arched windows. It features Corinthian pilasters supporting an entablature with cornices and modillions. The roof of the nave is hipped slate bâtière. The crossing is topped by a 19th-century pinnacle flanked to the east by a tower with domed roof and skylight. The prominent transept has a low inscribed chest in its four corners. The crossing is topped by a blind dome and barrel vaulting. The chancel still houses the monks' stalls. Listed (1-02-1937)  

Author:

The church of Saint-Pierre

  The church of  Saint-Pierre d’Hastière-par-delà, formerly the priory church of Notre-Dame, is part of a Benedictine abbey founded in the 10th century (around 900) by Wigéric, count of Bigdau. United in  969 with Waulsort abbey, it was relegated to the rank of a priory. The Roman abbey church was built in 1033-1035 by abbot Rodolphe. It was then enlarged and extended to the east. This work meant destroying the chancel and four additional bays were added in the Gothic style. Under abbot Allard de Hierges (1260-1264), the building was given a chancel and apse. The abbotship was abolished in the French Revolution and endured significant damage. It was subsequently restored between 1882 and 1909 by the architect A. Van Assche and the building became a parish church at the beginning of the 20th century (1912). It was restored once again following damage suffered during the Second World War. The façade has a doorway with lintel dating from the 13th century, topped by a massive tower on four levels adjoining a stair turret to the north. The nave is made up of five bays. It is flanked by two side aisles under sloping roofs. Lit by high arched windows, the nave is characterised by large blind arcatures that are also arched. The transept is prominent and low. It separates the nave and the later extension, a second Gothic nave with three aisles and four bays that replaced the Roman chancel. The Gothic chancel  features one bay ending in a chevet with three walls. It is lit by lancet windows under a small round window. The building has a slate roof and pinnacle above the crossing. The pinnacle is square, with an octagonal spire. Note the 13th-century stalls (chancel), the statuary that includes in particular works by Lambert Lombard, as well as the crypt that houses Merovingian sarcophaguses. Listed (14-04-1942)  

Author:

The old abbey

  The old abbey at Gembloux is an outstanding example of monastic occupation in the 18th century. It reveals information about the life of a community, as well as about the development of architectural tastes and the mentality typical of the Age of Enlightenment. The abbey was found in 940 by Guibert, a Lotharigian nobleman. It was rebuilt a century later by abbot Olbert, who converted the abbey into a spiritual, artistic and intellectual centre. Rebuilt again by L.-B. Dewez in 1762-1779, the abbey opened up to the outside world in the 18th century, in contrast to the mediaeval abbey that had been turned in on itself and lived as an autarchy. From this period onward, there were quarters for guests adjoining the abbot's dwelling, the monastic area, the abbey church and the incense burner. Presenting a certain image of grandeur and dignity, the abbey is a marvellous illustration of the à transformation of thinking about relations with the outside world that turned the abbey world upside down in the 18th century. The abbey designed by L.-B. Dewez included a noble section built in an H-shape preceded by a long enclosed courtyard. The body of the main building is on two levels adjoining two short side wings. Colossal with Ionic columns, the façade is topped by a triangular pediment bearing the coat of arms of the abbey, as well as that of the person who commissioned the building. Inside, visitors are struck by the monumental oak staircase, as well as the strict proportion of the elements and ample, well-ordered space, with everything reflecting balance and reason, traits close to architect Dewez's heart. Listed: 13-01-1977 and 23-06-1977 Exceptional heritage site of Wallonia  

Author:

The belfry in Gembloux

  Unlike its counterparts in Wallonia, the belfry in Gembloux does not dominate the town in the heart of an open space, but instead it straddles the alleyways from which emerges the top of a bell-tower. Its history is closely associated with that of the Benedictine abbey founded in the 10th century by Guibert. Damaged by fire on numerous occasions in the 12th and 17th centuries, this sturdy square tower with brick and bluestone facing is the only element preserved from the church of Saint-Sauveur. In the mid-18th century, the abbey was the site for a new building programme by the neo-Classical architect, Laurent-Benoît Dewez, which saw in particular the building of a new abbey church not far away. The church of Saint-Sauveur was finally destroyed at the beginning of the 19th century, with the exception of the tower, which housed the municipal bells. The tower still bears the traces of having its east façade dismantled. The current roof is the result of a restoration programme in 1906, following yet another fire. It takes the form of a tall slate roof with an octagonal section with sound holes under a dome open at the base and a wind vane featuring three keys, the emblem of the town. Listed: 13/01/1977 Exceptional heritage site World Heritage listed by UNESCO since 2005  

Author:

Eglise abbatiale Saint-Pierre

  Located along the Meuse, this old abbey church founded by Irish monks in the 11th century is full of charm. People admire its massive and imposing tower, its architecture devoid of artifice and its lovely setting along the river. To a great extent it is in the Romanesque style with its tower, its nave with beautiful square pillars supporting the arcatures with round arches, its transept and its crypt. The choir is Gothic (1264). In the interior, one will notice the stalls and the wall paintings, both very old, dating from the 13th century. The statuary is very rich, especially with works by Lambert Lombard. The crypt contains Merovingian sarcophagi and very aged reliquaries.

Author:

Vresse

Near the town hall of Vresse, there's a wooden faithful replica the of "Le Belge" on display. "Le Belge" is Belgium's oldest train locomotive, created by Cockerill's studios in 1835. Local craftsmen have spent more than a thousand hours of work on the reconstruction, which took place in 1980 as part of the celebration of Belgium's 150th birthday.

Author:

Givet

Givet is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France very close to the Belgian border. It lies on the river Meuse where Emperor Charles V built the fortress of Charlemont. It borders the French municipalities of Fromelennes to the east and Rancennes to the south and Foisches to the southeast.
Later on, another building was added to the fort, the Caserne Rougé, the longest barracks of France at that time, named after Pierre François, Marquis de Rougé, general of the French armies k.a. 1761.

Author:

Bouillon

Bouillon [French pronunciation: ​[bu.jɔ̃]] is a municipality in Belgium. It lies in the country's Walloon Region and Luxembourg Province in the Ardennes. The municipality, which covers 149.09 km², had 5,477 inhabitants, giving a population density of 36.7 inhabitants per km².

Bouillon has a few schools, a collège and a lycée , banks and a town square. Bouillon Castle still sits above the town centre, and is a popular tourist attraction.


Author:

Bouillon Castle

Bouillon Castle is a medieval castle in the town of Bouillon in the province of Luxembourg, Belgium.
Although it was mentioned first in 988, there has been a castle on the same site for a much longer time. The castle is situated on a rocky spur of land within a sharp bend of the Semois River.

Author:

Falaën Castle

Falaën Castle is a château-ferme, or fortified farmhouse, in the village of Falaën, municipality of Onhaye, province of Namur, Belgium.

Author:

Fosses-la-Ville

Fosses-la-Ville is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Namur. On January 1, 2006, Fosses-la-Ville had a total population of 9,311. The total area is 63.24 km² which gives a population density of 147 inhabitants per km².

Author:

Floreffe Abbey

Floreffe Abbey is a former Premonstratensian monastery, the second of the order to be founded, situated on the Sambre at Floreffe, about 11 km southwest of Namur, Belgium.
When Norbert of Xanten, founder of the Premonstratensian Order, was returning from Cologne in the year after its foundation with relics for his new church at Prémontré, Godfrey, Count of Namur, and his wife Ermensendis received him in their castle at Namur. He made such an impression on them that they asked him to found a house at Floreffe nearby. The charter by which they made over a church and house to Norbert and his order is dated 27 November 1121, so that Floreffe is, chronologically speaking, the second abbey of the order. Norbert laid the foundations of the church, which was called Salve ; the abbey was named Flos Mariae .

Author:

Frahan

Frahan is a small village in the Belgian province of Luxembourg that is part of Rochehaut, a suburb of the city of Bouillon. Frahan may call itself a "village of roses" and is classified 'a flower village'. The meadows we see today were used in the past for tobacco cultivation. The soil is acidic and therefore not so rich, but this acidity is perfectly suitable for tobacco. Frahan crêtes. For hikers this 'cock com' is a sporty hiking path. The path was built in the 1920s by Touring Club, as well as practically the entire path to Alle, through an area that was previously almost inaccessible. The different rock formations are given the names' La Gragnette' (~' the small barn' - an excellent hiding place formed by an overhanging rock),' Plate Roche',' Round Roche',' Trou Perpete',' Les quatre fils Aymon et le Cheval Bayard' (referring to the ros beiaard and the four heme children),' Chateau de Montragut' (13th century - supposed never finished).

Author:

Commemorative Mathieu Lallemand

Mathieu Lallemand fell here in the Fallaises at Rochehaut on 22 June 2003 and he later died of his injuries. He is the founder of walking club "Randonée Sauvage". Remarkably, the first walk he organised was a walk here in the Fallaises on 19 September 1977. Randonnée Sauvage wants to keep the spirit of Mathieu alive and organises walks, hiking weekends and a summer walk. The memorial plaque is located along the GR16 trail on the ladder walk, a very adventurous walk in Belgium. The hike was closed several times due to too dangerous, but since the investment of 75,000€ in new ladders at the end of 2015, the hike has been safe for anyone who can overcome the fears.

Author:

Taverne la passerelle de Frahan

Whether you're sitting on the terrace, overlooking the Semois or in the tavern near the fireplace.... come and taste a local trappist or soup from the house, an omelette or a Frahan Plank. Our menu will delight small and large children with its ice creams and pancakes. Kitchen Kitchen Wild in season, Ardennes regional cuisine, Grillades, Eetcafé, pancake house, Belgian cuisine, Vegetarian Restrictions Picnic admitted for passers-by (subject to consumption) Pets allowed in the restaurant Pets admitted The pub is named after the footbridge on the opposite side. The bridge was built in 1926. It replaces a wooden bridge that was there. During the war, the bridge was destroyed in 1941. Frahan's footbridge is the most famous one after the wooden footbridge of The Forest, which was built up every year in the summer, but which was no longer built. The footbridge is one of the most used by hikers because it offers the possibility of shortening the route to Rochehaut by 10 kilometres.

Author:

14-18 Au Rivage

Op 21 augustus 1914 zijn de 2 bruggen van Franière, de 4 bruggen van Floreffe en die van Floriffoux nog in handen van het 3de Batallion van het 41ste Infanterie Regiment. Het is uitermate belangrijk dat ze het de Duitsers onmogelijk maken om de Samber over te steken. De Duisters steken over na de slag om Auvelais en het begin van de terugtrekking uit Namen op 22 en 23 augustus. Hoe staken de inwoners indertijd de Samber over ? De spoorweg tussen Namen en Charleroi meandert zich doorheen de vallei en kruist de Samber op verschillende plaatsen : op twee bruggen in Franière, op de grens met Mornimont en aan de kerk op twee plaatsen in Floreffe, in Hamptia en aan de voet van Mauditienne en op één plaats in Floriffoux, nabij de oude glasfabriek De gewone oversteken bevonden zich op de wegen tussen Soye en Franière, tussen Floreffe en Mauditienne (hier) en ter hoogte van de voormalige sluis van Floriffoux tegenover het kasteel de Dorlodot. Sinds het einde van de 19de eeuw is de Samber in verschillende periodes gekanaliseerd en zijn de bruggen opgeblazen (WOI en WOII) en zijn er veranderingen aangebracht, maar de bruggen zijn telkens weer herbouwd.

Author:

Arboretum of Bouillon

This arboretum was created in 1906 and covers 2ha56. The site is worth a visit for its numerous exotic tree species that we can find there. Most of the trees originally come from Asia and North America, and they are visible from open and pleasant hiking trails. It contains about 150 native and exotic species of deciduous trees and resinous species. It has a Tsuga mertensiana, crowned champion of Belgium, and an Abies grandis who with his 48 meters height became vice-champion of Belgium. If the Virginie Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) attracts your attention in May-June because of its beautiful flowers, then you should come and admire the Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) in August, with its flamboyant yellow-orange shades. The sequoia, the giants in the world of conifers, will fascinate you with their breathtaking beauty. Our Vice-Champion of Belgium, the Vancouver fir or Giant Sparrow (Abies grandis) awaits you with impatience... This coniferous tree grows incredibly fast, and is recognizable by the smell of citronella that is released when we bruise the needles! A beautiful arboretum ... and free to visit!

Author:

Wijmingenstraat

Wijmingenstraat

RouteYou Climb Code :

• Length : 0.27 km
• Ascent : 24 m
• Average grade : 10 m / 100 m - 9.66 %
• Maximal grade : 17.04 %

Rue Neuve Niole

Rue Neuve Niole

RouteYou Climb Code :

• Length : 1.04 km
• Ascent : 48 m
• Average grade : 4 m / 100 m - 4.22 %
• Maximal grade : 6.69 %

Côte de Rochehaut

Côte de Rochehaut

RouteYou Climb Code :

• Length : 2.83 km
• Ascent : 163 m
• Average grade : 5 m / 100 m - 5.21 %
• Maximal grade : 14.56 %