RoadBook DISCOVERY TOURS. Between heaven and earth. The Calestienne. The Secrets of the Stones. A Matter of Taste

Transcription

1 RoadBook DISCOVERY TOURS EN Rochefort Marche-en-Famenne Nassogne Between heaven and earth The Calestienne The Secrets of the Stones A Matter of Taste

2 Summary Rochefort Marche-en-Famenne Nassogne Presentation...p 3 Code of conduct...p 4 Rochefort, tourism and heritage...p 6 Marche, a charming Famenne town...p 8 Nassogne, or the Ardennes revealed...p 10 Between heaven and earth...p km (50.5 miles) The Calestienne...p km (47 miles) The Secrets of the Stones...p km (64 miles) A Matter of Taste...p km (56 miles) Tourist Information Centres...p 89 Walking maps, road-books,...p 90 Responsible Editor Maison du Tourisme du Pays de Marche & Nassogne asbl Place de l Étang, 15 B-6900 Marche-en-Famenne 2013 Edition The total or partial reproduction of duplication of this booklet is expressly prohibited without the prior written authorisation of the Maison du Tourisme du Pays de Marche & Nassogne. Sources/Collaborations Maison du Tourisme du Val de Lesse Syndicat d Initiative de Rochefort Office Royal du Tourisme de Han-sur-Lesse Office Communal du Tourisme de l Entité de Nassogne Cercles historiques de Marche et Nassogne Photo credits Maison du Tourisme du Pays de Marche & Nassogne asbl Town of Marche-en-Famenne Maison du Tourisme du Val de Lesse asbl Town of Rochefort Céline Prevoo/GAL RoMaNa 2

3 Presentation Rochefort The non-profit making association GAL RoMaNa* was born in October 2009 at the initiative of the councils of Rochefort, Marche-en-Famenne and Nassogne as part of the community program LEADER, which is a European initiative for rural development. This initiative aims to encourage the implementation of sustainable rural development strategies in a clearly defined territory. The project, handled by our Local Action Group, plans a number of joint actions designed to promote local products, exchanges in the guise of a cultural platform, mobility projects, audio-visual promotion, Marche Nassogne This road-book is part of the tourism section of the actions undertaken by one of our LAG members, namely the Maison du Tourisme du Pays de Marche & Nassogne. These actions are realized in close collaboration with the Tourist Information Centres of the area and the Maison du Tourisme du Val de Lesse. These four thematic car/motorbike tours are a great way of (re)discovering our superb natural, rural and built heritage. *In English : GAL = LAG which stands for Local Action Group GAL RoMaNa Rue Saint-Laurent, Marche-en-Famenne T : +32(0)84/ contact@galromana.be 3

4 Please note that - except indication to the contrary - speed is limited to: 120 km/h (75 mph) on four-lane motorways 90 km/h 50 km/h (55 mph) on two-lane motorways (30 mph) when driving through towns and villages, or even 30 km/h (19 mph) when indicated (near schools, ) 4 In the case of an accident, please call: European emergency number Medical emergency service/firemen Federal police service These tours might take you along agricultural roads. During the hunting season, which lasts from 1 October to 31 December, some of these roads may be closed for your own safety. In the winter, some of these secondary roads may be impracticable.

5 Code of conduct How to be a good driver Here are the 10 commandments we would like you to follow while driving round the area: I will not drive under the influence of drink or drugs, including prescription drugs, or any other substance likely to impair my driving skills or cause me to lose control of my vehicle (i.e. alcohol, drugs, prescription drugs, ) ; I will respect the applicable Highway Code, I will also follow all traffic interdictions and restrictions (parking spaces designated for people with reduced mobility, private property, ) ; I will respect all speed limitations (secondary roads, while driving through villages, near schools, ) and adjust my speed to the weather conditions ; I accept the fact that some road users might drive at a lower speed and will not endanger other users by overtaking them in a dangerous or incautious fashion ; Rochefort Marche Nassogne I will keep my calm and remain courteous whatever the circumstances ; I will concentrate on my driving and will not by avoidably and dangerously distracted (tuning the radio, using a GPS navigation system, using a hand-held phone or other equipment, ) ; I will give way to vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, ) and will not park my car on footpaths or cycling paths ; I need to remain vigilant when driving through forests, as I could encounter game at any moment (stag, wild boar, ) ; I won t drop litter or dump rubbish while driving my vehicle; the same rule applies when using the specifically designed areas along the road (car parks, picnic areas, ) ; I will make sure my car is roadworthy (no dangerous faults or unsafe loads, MOT test passed, ) as this will not only contribute to my own safety and that of other drivers, but is also better for the environment. 5

6 Rochefort Rochefort, capital of the Comedy Festival and home of the renowned Trappist beer (best drunk with a side dish of tasty Rochefort cheeses), is located in the Calestienne, a natural area whose mineral resources predestined it to give birth to myriads of mysterious caves. Its low population density resulted in a scattering of villages and hamlets, refuges synonymous with peace and quiet. The main reasons for the expansion of tourism in the Rochefort area are definitely its incredible mineral resources and its two main watercourses, the Lesse and the Lhomme. During the course of millennia, these rivers dug out the cave of Han but also the cave of Lorette- Rochefort. Several nature reserves are nestled around the edge of a wood or a plain and our most famous natural reserve is home to the Wildlife Reserve in Han-sur-Lesse and its numerous animal species. Approximately 450 km (280 miles) of waymarked walking routes, which you can discover on foot, by horse, bike or mountain bike will allow you to uncover the beauty of this natural environment. During your travels you will encounter breathtaking panoramas, such as the Belvedere in Han and the Rond du Roi in Rochefort. 6

7 tourism and heritage The 22 km (13.7 miles) long RAVeL foot and cycle path links Jemelle to Houyet and is a convivial way to recharge your batteries in the middle of nature. On the way back, you can visit all of our attractions while taking the time to sample one of our tasty culinary specialties or refreshing beverages comfortably seated on a cosy terrace Everywhere you look, you will be amazed by our rural and cultural heritage: the castle of Lavaux-Sainte-Anne, the Gallo-Roman Archaeopark of Malagne, the Animation Centre for Rail and Stone, House of Country Life, Tourist Train, an ostrich farm in Navaugle and a lot more. Whether you are here for a couple of hours or a couple of days, the town centre offers you a verdant and listed park; the Park des Roches which boasts an open-air swimming pool, playground and miniature golf course. The Provincial Park of Chevetogne is absolutely ideal for spending a nice day: sumptuous thematic gardens and magnificently designed playgrounds compete for your attention. Nassogne Marche Rochefort Culture lovers will be delighted by the Cultural Centre des Roches, a cultural hub which will enlighten your autumn and winter evenings with a variety of musical and theatrical shows. The people of Rochefort love enjoying themselves and the town resounds with bursts of laughter. You can participate in all kinds of events; ranging from country balls illuminated with paper lanterns to craft markets, and from evening markets to farmers markets Vignée Lavaux- Sainte-Anne Forzée Buissonville Mont-Gauthier Havrenne Laloux Navaugle Briquemont Frandeux Jamblinne Rochefort Villers-sur-Lesse Eprave Lessive Jemelle Han-sur-Lesse Wavreille Ave-et-Auffe Belvaux 7

8 Marche Crossed by the Calestienne, the district of Marche stretches, from the edge of the Famenne depression, in the north, to the threshold of the Ardennes Forest, in the south. With a surface area of 12,143 ha, it totals more than 17,500 inhabitants and is composed of the villages of Aye, Champlon-Famenne, Grimbiémont, Hargimont, Hollogne, Humain, Lignières, Marloie, On, Roy, Verdenne and Waha that are spread round the town of Marche-en- Famenne. Justifiably proud of its natural, architectural and historical heritage but also of its economic, cultural and touristic development, Marche-en-Famenne is a very attractive regional hub. The area is also renowned for its many initiatives that contribute to its promising future. Based near two major roads and served by rail, the town enjoys a prominent location. Easily accessible and nearby numerous renowned tourist sites, it is an ideal base for excursions for visitors wishing to discover the many treasures of the area. The town of Marche, capital of the Famenne, has been remarkably well renovated while successfully preserving significant traces of its past. Need proof? Take a look at some of the remarkable 17 th c. buildings scattered throughout the town... Or take a lovely, relaxing stroll in the maze of little streets that look like alleys 8

9 a charming Famenne town The unique combination of innumerable sculptures and fountains, leafy squares, as well as pedestrian areas contribute to a general feeling of wellbeing. It is worth noting that the town of Marche won an award in the European EDEN contest European Destination of Excellence for 2011, mainly because of its impressive number of rehabilitated sites. On this note, a visit of the old town is definitely a must. Essential sightseeing includes the stained-glass windows of the Waha church created by the well-known Belgian artist, Jean-Michel Folon, which sparkles with a fabulous array of colours Marche Marche, is also about shops and the comfort offered by its numerous infrastructures and urban services in verdant surroundings. The city offers little corner shops in the heart of the town as well as well known supermarket brands on the outskirts, which is why shopping in Marche is always a pleasant experience As for culinary pleasures, we cater for almost every taste: French, Italian, Chinese, Greek, Tunisian cuisine, a quick bite or even Nouvelle cuisine, every taste and every budget can be catered for! Feel like a nice walk or bike ride, a museum visit, want to go to the movies, play a game of bowling with friends or just go for a nice, quiet drink? In and around Marche there are plenty of things to do and see, plenty of entertainment especially as a wide variety of events, concerts, shows, exhibitions and other cultural activities are organised all year round. http ://ec.europa.eu/eden Aye Hollogne Waha Champlon-Famenne Humain Marloie Grimbiémont Lignières Roy Hargimont On en-famenne Marche- En-famenne Verdenne 9

10 Nassogne The council of Nassogne sits astride the Ardennes and the Famenne. It stretches out over an area of 11,196 ha, has around 5,300 inhabitants and is composed of the villages and hamlets of Ambly, Bande, Charneux, Chavanne, Forrières, Grune, Harsin, Lesterny, Masbourg, Mormont and Nassogne. The forest, 60% deciduous and 40% coniferous, stretches out over half the council area and marks the threshold of the Ardennes massif. Nassogne has many charms, not least its great location and the tranquillity of the area. Nassogne, away from the beaten tracks, has a wonderful natural environment, dotted with hills and dales; in short, it s the perfect destination for walks and rambles. Deep and mysterious forests contain an unspoilt, wild habitat, an astonishing flora and an abundant and diverse fauna: stags, deer, roe deer, wild boar,... Its magnificent landscapes reveal their charm throughout the four seasons: strange yet alluring during the winter months when a mantle of snow and a mist shrouds the landscape, carpeted with flowers during spring, luminous under the July sky and totally unforgettable when autumn comes and a ray of sun sets the brownish, red and rusty tints alight. 10

11 or the Ardennes revealed Nassogne also has its share of farms where traditionally bred animals are turned into delicacies by dedicated craftsmen, using methods that respect both the animals as well as nature: deer, pork grazing the Ardennes grasslands, sheep, bees,... A profusion of waymarked walks, observation platforms, mountain bike and cycle trails or even the Panorama Trail, there are many different ways to discover this small corner of paradise. Located in the very heart of the forest, the Château de Bois (i.e. the wooden castle ) is also worth a look. The pavilion was built in 1871 on request of Prince Pierre Napoleon Bonaparte, nephew of the famous Emperor In Nassogne, the word gastronomy really means something and the variety of accommodation on offer (hotels, self-catering cottages, guest rooms, campsites) are part of the appeal of this little countryside council where the villagers friendliness is rivalled only by their quality of life Nassogne Forrières Lesterny Ambly Charneux Chavanne Harsin Masbourg Grune Nassogne Bande Mormont 11

12 Eprave Lessive Han-sur-Lesse Ambly Grune Humain Aye Bande Villers-sur-Lesse Hargimont en-famenne Rochefort Nassogne Marche- Eprave Lessive Han-sur-Lesse Ambly Grune Humain Aye Bande Villers-sur-Lesse Hargimont En-famenne Rochefort Nassogne Marcheen-Famenne Rochefort Nassogne Marche- Navaugle Chevetogne Fenffe Vignée Jamblinne Ave-et-Auffe Belvaux Lesterny Waha Hollogne Champlon Waillet Basses Havrenne Buissonville Serinchamps Charneux Roy Grimbiémont Môchamps Ciergnon Enhet Ronvaux Reux Frandeux Briquemont Mont-Gauthier Forzee Hamerenne Jemelle Marloie Forrières Masbourg On Harsin Chavanne Wavreille Grupont Mormont Auffe Lignières Verdenne Marenne Haversin Hogne Genimont Navaugle Chevetogne Fenffe Vignée Jamblinne Ave-et-Auffe Belvaux Lesterny Waha Hollogne Champlon Waillet Basses Havrenne Buissonville Serinchamps Charneux Roy Grimbiémont Môchamps Ciergnon Enhet Ronvaux Reux Frandeux Briquemont Mont-Gauthier Forzee Hamerenne Jemelle Marloie Forrières Masbourg On Harsin Chavanne Wavreille Grupont Mormont Auffe Lignières Verdenne Marenne Haversin Hogne Genimont N929 N918 N836 N803 N849 N849 N889 N896 N888 N889 N855 N929 N94 N911 N949 N949 N86 N63 N63 N86 N86 N86 N86 N86 N4 N4 N4 N4 E46 E46 E411 E46 12 ROMANA 1 km 81 (on the RAVeL)

13 Between heaven and earth Departure: Place Communale (village square) Nassogne NavSat coordinates: N E / N E Distance: 81 km (50.5 miles) On the threshold of the Condroz area, with a stretch of the Calestienne running through it, the unique countryside peculiar to the area covered by Rochefort, Marche and Nassogne is the result of the unexpected encounter of the Famenne and the Ardenne landscapes. Each area has is own distinctive relief, countryside, architecture, fauna and even flora. This circuit will take you on a discovery tour of the Ardennes massif with its extensive forests, undulating countryside and succession of deep valleys. The tour starts from the Place communale in Nassogne. The collegial church of Saint-Monon, with its ancient graveyard and picturesque lane of linden trees planted in 1803, are all listed sites. The church s origins are partially Roman, and the building works probably started during the 7 th or 8 th c. The current building dates from 1661 and was restored in 1948, as it had been badly damaged during the Ardennes Offensive which took place during the winter of A didactic panel (in French/Dutch) near the church entrance describes the story of Saint-Monon who travelled all the way from Scotland circa 600AD, in order to Christianize the parishioners. The collegial church holds a reliquary containing the saint s relics. Local farmers appeal to their patron saint they consider to be the guardian of their livestock as well as of their crops. Drive up the Rue de Lahaut and take the third on the right near the village exit, Rue Thier des Gattes. The water tower that looms before you was erected in 1928 and the fresco was painted in July 1999 by the painter Serge Nanson. The colourful fresco depicts the aquatic and migratory animals that live in and around the Les Goffes pond and its lovely little islet. Drive alongside the pond on the left hand side and continue along the Rue Thier des Gattes. 13 Between heaven and earth

14 A superb panorama of the vast Saint-Hubert forest unfolds before you. At the small roundabout, continue towards the right until the T-shaped crossroads, where you turn left. While driving downhill, you will enjoy a superb view of the Masblette valley, named after the river that takes its source on the Bilaude plateau, and flows into the Lhomme at the Masbourg village exit. At the bottom of the valley, a barbecue area has been built for your enjoyment. Continue downwards towards the bottom of the valley and the T-shaped intersection with a main road (careful: dangerous), then turn right towards Masbourg. On your right, near the village entrance, slightly set back from the road, an old watermill, dating back to the second half of the 18 th c. and built in dressed sandstone, is tucked away at n 49. The small village of Masbourg stretches out through, and is enclosed by, the wooded Masblette valley, a tributary of the Lhomme. It is thought that Masbourg dates back to the Merovingian era. Most of the village buildings are quite old, among them a square farmhouse from 1825 (the date is engraved in the stone above the portal), which sits on your right a little after the church. In Masbourg, at the bridge on your left, follow the directions to Mormont. Drive through the hamlet of Mormont and continue towards Awenne. In the valley, you can see the Domain of the Fourneau Saint-Michel (see p 79) an open-air museum of rural life. 14

15 The peaceful little village of Awenne lives to the rhythm of the sound of water trickling down from the eight fountains that are scattered through the village The fountains were placed throughout the village in the 19 th c. after a spate of violent fires. It is during the same century that the village was the hub of a thriving and extremely prosperous clog making industry, some traces of which still exist today. Drive through Awenne via the main road. At the village exit, turn right, Rue du Ry Bellerose. After 1 km (0.6 mile), turn right towards Grupont. A magnificent, sparkling white, half-timbered house will most certainly attract your attention. It s the house locally known as the Maison espagnole (literally Spanish house; which is a house built in a typical 16 th c. architectural style, with elements of gothic architecture and gables), thought to be prior to It was once the village inn but also, for several centuries, where the court of justice met to dispense justice. It is thought to have witnessed three alleged witches, the Gaumette sisters, being burnt at the stake in At the roundabout near the Grupont exit, follow the directions to Rochefort for 3.8 km (2.4 miles) until the Wavreille roundabout (which boasts a stag sculpted by Francis Daras), where you need to continue towards Rochefort. During the climb uphill, take the first on your right (just after the bus stop), Rue des Rouges Terres, turn right again and follow the crest ridge road towards Forrières. Between heaven and earth A stunning panorama of the valley and the villages of Forrières and Ambly unfolds before you. The Lhomme flows through Forrières which is located at the intersection of two major geological areas: the Famenne and the Ardennes. Continue downhill towards the T-shaped intersection, turn right, and then turn right again. Between heaven and earth 1 15

16 Downhill, at the intersection with the Rue Sur-Chanty, a little set back from the road, the Chapelle du Cocher (literally: coach driver s chapel) is hidden away. It was built in 1850 and a didactic panel will tell you everything about the legend that is linked to the chapel. A bit further on, you can admire the site of the Pierres du Diable (The Devil s stones), which is listed as a megalithic monument (2.500 to BC). The stones sit on the place known as Inzomet (which means at the summit). It is thought that it once hosted six dolmens, tablelike constructions made out of three stone slabs, which would mean a total of eighteen stones arranged in a circle. Nowadays there are only six left, the others were probably used for the construction of roads etc. According to local legend, the stones are a load lost by the devil as he was passing, and a treasure is said to be hidden under the biggest stone, treasure that belongs to anyone strong enough to lift the stone A Calvary stands a couple of metres/yards away, symbolising the victory of Christianity over popular and ancestral beliefs. Continue towards the left. On your left, the beautiful old Saint-Monon farmhouse, which has been converted into a self-catering cottage (or as we say here gîte ) for large groups, is certainly worth a look. At the T-shaped crossroads, turn left. Cross the bridge over the railway and drive through the village of Forrières. The village square is a good place for a moment s rest in a peaceful surrounding (see p 54). Continue towards Nassogne for 2.5 km (1.6 miles). At the Ambly village outskirts, at the cross-shaped crossroads, turn left and drive through the village of Ambly via the Rue Principale. Ambly sits astride the Famenne and the Ardennes, and its hilly landscapes offer visitors many magnificent panoramas. This charming village totals approximately 400 inhabitants. 16

17 Numerous exquisitely restored 19 th c. stone farms are scattered throughout the village, as well as a few half-timbered houses. We suggest you stop for a while and park in the church car park, and set out to discover a pretty little neighbourhood (see p 52). All you need to do is walk up the main road for a couple of metres/yards and turn left, Rue de la Prée. Before heading back, don t miss a look at the traditional Saint-Monon brewery, at n 41 (see p 77). At the T-shaped crossroads, turn right, Rue de Harsin, and continue for 3.5 km (2.2 miles) until the following T-shaped intersection where you need to turn left towards Harsin. Just before you arrive at the T-shaped crossroads, you can see the building that houses the non profit-making association La Gatte d Or on your left. The association has workshops on offer for every section of the population, whether young or old, including persons with a disability: donkey rides, painting, drawing, and sculpture lessons, diatonic accordion lessons, all kinds of courses, basket weaving lessons, concerts, cabarets, folk balls, school outings on request, birthday parties, (T: +32(0)84/ info@lagattedor.be - Between heaven and earth At the intersection with the N896, turn right and then turn left towards Marche. It s interesting that before 1800, there were hardly any roads linking the smaller settlements of Harsin, Chavanne and the more important localities, only rather impracticable country paths. It s only from 1821 onwards, when it became a necessity to improve the road network for the mail coach that operated between Marche and Saint-Hubert, that these small villages started to develop. These small hamlets possess a couple of I-shaped 19 th c. farmhouses and several half-timbered houses. Between heaven and earth 1 17

18 Take the first on the right towards Charneux. After the tunnel, continue towards the left and stay on the main road. The picnic area called Les Wèves, on your right, offers a magnificent view of Harsin, a border village between the Ardennes and the Famenne. The village of Charneux shows striking similarities with a mountain village. The ancient road that linked Rochefort to La Roche runs through the village. For centuries now, Charneux has been clinging to the hillside of the valley known as that of the Great Invasions. Indeed, the area along the axis followed by the major N4 road has suffered many armed incursions, not least the ultimate breakthrough attempt made by the German army on its way to Marche in December At the Charneux village entrance, turn right and climb uphill towards Roy. In Roy, continue straight ahead and drive through the village on the main road. Most of the houses and farmhouses in Roy are made out of sandstone and Belgian bluestone. One of the farmhouses is dated 1748 by iron anchors on the facade. Continue along the same road for about 2.5 km (1.6 miles) until the T-shaped intersection with the N888 (careful: dangerous), turn left and continue towards Marche for 5 km (3.1 miles). Then continue towards Hollogne/Marche-Gare on your right, and take the first on the left towards Waha. Cross the bridge over the N4 then, at the roundabout, take the first exit and drive through the village on the main road. The Saint-Etienne church is a remarkable Romanesque-style edifice listed as a Major Walloon Heritage Site. It is surrounded by its ancient cemetery and protected by a linden tree that is several hundred years old. A sculpture of a Blanc Curé (White Monk) silently prays, 18

19 sheltered by the venerable tree. The Saint-Etienne church is one of the oldest Romanesque churches in Belgium, and the only one still in possession of its dedication stone. The stone commemorates the consecration of the church, on 20 June 1050, by Théoduin, who was the bishop of Liège from 1048 to An incredible array of elements of heritage are preserved in the church : the ornamental stone bearing Philippe II s coat of arms, as well as the shields of Luxemburg and the town of Marche, 16 th c. baptismal fonts, a 16 th c. Gothic theotheque (a sculpted tabernacle), tombstones from the 15 th and 18 th c., a 13 th c. reliquary, a fragment of a 13 th c. mural fresco, a fragment of a 16 th c. Christ, as well as several works by the mysterious Maître de Waha a 16 th c. sculptor One of the sculptor s most remarkable works is the nearby Calvary. This remarkable heritage is enhanced by the fabulous array of colours that emerge from the stunning stained-glass windows designed by the well-known Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon. The windows evoke the martyrdom of Saint Etienne, the parish s patron Saint. At the back of the church, an audiovisual montage presents us with the artist s testimony as well as comments on the major elements of heritage that are preserved in the church. At the front of the church, a second montage is dedicated solely to the works of the Maître de Waha. You can admire several of his sculptures in the Museum of the Famenne, in Marche s town centre. A couple of metres/yards after the church, you can admire the farmhouse called the Ferme des Blancs Curés (White Monks farmhouse), as well as a 17 th c. half-timbered farmhouse (both are private property). Between heaven and earth At the roundabout, take the first exit, and at the following crossroads, continue straight ahead. At the end of the road, at n 5, you can admire the Saint-Hubert stone, a limestone elongated monolith in rough stone, more or less located on what used to be the frontier between Marche and Waha. The stone has a 1546 engraving bearing the Burgundy family s coat of arms. Between heaven and earth 1 19

20 At the T-shaped crossroads, turn right, drive through the tunnel, then over the bridge over the N4 and take the first on the left, Rue Neuve. In the car park on your left, take the time to admire the sculpture called Loin (Far) and created by the Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon. Drive round the square called Place aux Foires and take the Allée du Monument. At the end of the road, you re face to face with the historical site of the Monument. We suggest you stop for a while and discover the site of the Monument and its undergrowth which boasts over fifteen different tree species. Located on a schist-laden hillock, also called butte de Cornimont (Cornimont mount), the Monument is quite an interesting site that has been put to various uses over the centuries. For a long time, it was a place of pilgrimage renowned for the miraculous cures that took place there. It was also a sanctuaire à répit (respite sanctuary) where parents would take their stillborn babies in the hope that the child would show some sign of life, so that they could give the child the sacrament of baptism and save its soul. It has also been said that the site was used for the punishment of penitents sentenced to repair work by the Court of Justice. The Calvary located on a flat rocky mass overlooking the plain, is thought to be the oldest place in the site. The lay-out of the Calvary, reminiscent of a ship s prow, is quite surprising. It is said that pagan rites and sacrifices were held there. This might explain why a Renaissance style Holy Trinity Chapel in blue stone was built there in In 1642, along the linden tree lane, the seven Stations of the Cross were added. Below the chapel, a natural cave located westwards, was ideally suited for a sculpture representing the Entombment (Holy Sepulchre). The perfectly proportioned layout of the site was inspired by comparing the distance that separates the cave from the town with the distance that separates the Golgotha from the city of Jerusalem. As for the hermitage, it seems to have been built with as its main purpose the surveillance of the site. 20

21 Take the road winding downwards on your right, then, at the roundabout, take the first exit and drive along the Urban Boulevard until you reach the roundabout near the Maison du Tourisme. We suggest you park your car (there s a free car park near the Maison du Tourisme) and discover Marche s Old Town with its wealth of exquisitely restored buildings of character. Marche-en-Famenne definitely owes its triumph as the Belgian winner of the European EDEN contest in 2011 (European Destinations of Excellence) to the quality and intrinsic beauty of these buildings. A booklet guiding you around the many hidden treasures of the town is available from the Maison du Tourisme. Take the second exit towards the Maison de la culture, then take the second on the right, Rue Saint-Roch, then take the first on your left towards Verdenne. Follow the main road for 3.7 km (2.3 miles) until Verdenne s village entrance, where you first turn right, then left towards Marenne. The village of Verdenne endured terrible sufferings during the Battle of the Ardennes. One of its streets bears the name Noël (Christmas) 1944 and a monument was erected to the memory of several members of the Resistance slaughtered in Verdenne in September1944. Between heaven and earth At n 50 of the Rue Noël 1944, the Vert Denne market gardener offers a wide range of seasonal vegetables (cf. p 88). Continue straight ahead and drive through the village of Marenne, then continue until you reach Menil-Favay. At the bend near the village exit, turn right, Rue du Bois, towards Grimbiémont. Continue straight ahead for 5.5 km (3.4 miles) and turn right at the Grimbiémont village entrance. Grimbiémont is settled on a southern hillside, and sits among acres of unspoilt rolling countryside. The village boasts several traditional half-timbered houses, 18 th and 19 th c. Between heaven and earth 1 21

22 farms, as well as an 11 th c. chapel. The village offers several lovely views of the Hedrée valley and is said to be blessed by its special local climate Drive downwards through the village while keeping right, and turn right once again just before the church. At the bend at the bottom of the hill, a remarkably restored old watermill (private property) is definitely worth a look. Several mill stones, some standing, others lying on the ground, bear witness to the building s former purpose. At the crossroads with the N888 (careful: dangerous), turn left, and then take the first on the right towards Lignières. Drive through the village via the main road and continue towards Bande. Lignières, a typical Ardennes village, lies at the most easterly point of the Marche territory and is bathed by the Hedrée brook. Several 19 th and 20 th c. I-shaped farmhouses are dotted throughout the village as well as an ancient castle-farm (containing the remains of a medieval dungeon) and built in schist-laden sandstone (private property). The very modern Saint-Maurice church is built in dressed sandstone. It was rebuilt in 1967 according to plans drawn up in 1958 by the architect Raymond Lamarche. Its facade boasts a fresco by a ceramicist signed N. Randaxhe, km (1.2 miles) after leaving Lignières, on the heights of Bande, take the small country road on your left (waymarked walk with the yellow rectangle -> drive slowly please). From here, the open view of the landscape allows you to see for 80 km (49.7 miles). In the north-east you can see the heights of Houffalize, and in the west, the hills of Gedinne. 22

23 Continue straight ahead and discover the place known as Au zéro and the stele dedicated to the French writer Chateaubriand (a didactic panel will give you more information). The place known as Au Zéro is all that remains of a - now completely disappeared - small hamlet. Located alongside what was at the time the main road, the hamlet is thought to have had three inns, patronized by coach drivers for whom the inns provided fresh horses for their stagecoaches. The empress Mary-Theresa of Austria is said to have stayed there as well as the famous French writer Chateaubriand who mentions the place in his book Mémoires d Outre-Tombe (Memoirs from Beyond the Grave). Chateaubriand, who had enrolled in the armies that favoured the return of the King of France and that fought against the armies of the young republic, was injured during the horrific battle of Argonne in 1792, in north-east France. He then tried to reach England by travelling through the Ardennes on foot. That is how he was sheltered and nursed back to health in Au Zéro. A stele was put up in his honour and inaugurated in 1948 by the French ambassador. Continue for about 200 m (656 ft), and then turn right to go down towards the village of Bande. Bande is located in the Ardennes, on the schist-laden soils of a rocky spur overlooking the Bonnier, a tributary of the Wamme. This small water course allowed the expansion of the village by providing it with the energy necessary to power the many furnaces, sawmills, mills and stone quarries that settled alongside the river banks from the 16 th c. onwards. The village boasts several I-shaped 19 th c. farmhouses in sandstone and limestone and a few smallish half-timbered farmhouses. Between heaven and earth Then take the second on the left (Y-shaped crossroads decorated with a cross) then at the bottom of the hill turn right, Rue Bonny. At the next crossroads, turn left, then left again, then drive through the village. Between heaven and earth 1 23

24 1 Our tip 1 A Memorial was erected in memory of the 34 young people from Bande and neighbouring villages who were shot here the night before Christmas 44, during the German retreat. The cellar where a picture of each of the victims is soberly displayed, invites you to engage in a moment of reverence. Park your car in the car park on your right hand side near the village exit and continue on foot through the tunnel under the N4. 24

25 A little before the church, on your left, a monument was erected in memory of the victims of the two World Wars. There is also a playground with a picnic area next to the car park just after the church. At the bottom of the village, on your right hand side, you can admire a lovely little chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Salette, she who reconciles sinners. A lane of linden trees takes you towards the neo-classically styled, 19 th c. chapel. Legend has it that the chapel was built on the spot where, a long time ago, a castle served as hiding place for bandits who ransomed travellers and locals. 1 Our tip 1 When you leave the village, cross the bridge over the N4 and follow the direction of Grune. At the T-shaped crossroads, turn left, Rue du Centre. Just opposite you there s a lane of linden trees (private property). This remarkable, listed lane is a little over 1,000 m (0.6 mile) long and has 318 linden trees that were planted circa Between heaven and earth Uphill from here, on your left hand side, you can see the Castle of Grune, a former fortified house, listed in The entrance porch boasts the Mozet-Waha family s coat of arms from 1613, the year of the anchors on the façade (see p 50). 1 Our tip 2 Cross the village on the Rue du Centre, and follow the directions to Nassogne. Between heaven and earth 1 25

26 1 Our tip 2 Grune is located at the top of a hill and overlooks the Wamme and Wassoie valleys. From the Goffes picnic area you have splendid views of the Godefroid villa, in the north, and the Chefneufays castle, in the northeast, the village of Bande and the Roy church tower, in the east. At the top of the hill, take the first on your right and drive past the church, then continue climbing uphill for several hundred metres/ yards until the viewpoint. To get back to the initial tour, go back on your tracks and at the intersection near the church, turn right, Rue du Centre. 26

27 Many of the constructions in Grune date from the 19 th or 20 th c., and a lot of them still bear traces of a barn door. The barns were used to store the hay and shelter the carts, which is why the doors are quite large. Many of the houses also have a small outbuilding - generally built near the road, away from the living quarters - that was used as a pigsty. The farm at n 7, Rue du Centre, is part of the cooperative called Tourelles cheese dairy and has a variety of unpasteurised cheeses on offer as well as yoghurts and dairy desserts (see p 88). At the village exit, at the bottom of the hill on your left, you can enjoy the amenities of the Ry d Oeure picnic area and nearby educational trail. The rest area is located where the public wash-house once was. The vast stone basins where the village women did their washing have been moved to the place known as la Pépinette in Nassogne. Several hundred metres/yards further, a didactic panel tells the story of the place known as Thier Saint. Continue straight ahead for 4 km (2.5 miles) and at the crossroads at the threshold of Nassogne entrance, continue straight ahead, Rue de Coumont. The Saint-Monon chapel was built in 1834 on the spot were Saint Monon is thought to have been assassinated circa 636. In the chapel, you can admire a cenotaph (elevated tomb dedicated to the memory of the deceased but that doesn t contain their remains), and a flagstone engraved with a bas-relief representing the deacon and his ornaments. The reliquary containing the holy relics is transported from the collegial church to the chapel every year during the Remuage Riddling Procession that takes place each year on Ascension Sunday. During the procession, the pilgrims, most of them farmers, rub the reliquary with handfuls of grass or shrub branches that they then feed to their livestock in the hope it will protect them from harm until next year. Between heaven and earth At the crossroads, at the bottom of the Rue de Coumont, turn left to drive back to the Place communale. Between heaven and earth 1 27

28 Eprave ainte-anne Lessive Han-sur-Lesse Ambly Grune Humain Aye Bande Villers-sur-Lesse Hargimont Lavauxen-Famenne Rochefort Nassogne Marche- Eprave ainte-anne Lessive Han-sur-Lesse Ambly Grune Humain Aye Bande Villers-sur-Lesse Hargimont Lavaux- En-famenne Rochefort Nassogne Marcheen-Famenne Rochefort Nassogne Marche- Navaugle Chevetogne Fenffe Vignée Ver ne r Jamblinne Ave-et-Auffe Belvaux Lesterny Waha Hollogne Champlon Waillet Basses Havrenne Buissonville Serinchamps Charneux Roy Grimbiémont Môchamps Ciergnon Enhet Ronvaux Reux Conjoux Frandeux Briquemont Mont-Gauthier Forzee Hamerenne Jemelle Marloie Forrières Masbourg On Harsin Chavanne Wavreille Grupont Mormont Auffe Lignière Verdenne Marenne Haversin Hogne Genimont Hérock Hérock Navaugle Chevetogne Fenffe Vignée Ver ne r Jamblinne Ave-et-Auffe Belvaux Lesterny Waha Hollogne Champlon Waillet Basses Havrenne Buissonville Serinchamps Charneux Roy Grimbiémont Môchamps Ciergnon Enhet Ronvaux Reux Conjoux Frandeux Briquemont Mont-Gauthier Forzee Hamerenne Jemelle Marloie Forrières Masbourg On Harsin Chavanne Wavreille Grupont Mormont Auffe Lignière Verdenne Marenne Haversin Hogne Genimont N929 N918 N836 N803 N849 N849 N889 N896 N888 N889 N855 N929 N911 N94 N911 N949 N949 N86 N63 N63 N86 N86 N86 N86 N86 N4 N4 N4 N4 E46 E46 E411 E411 E411 E411 E46 28 ROMANA 2 km 75 (on the RAVeL)

29 The Calestienne Departure: Place Théo Lannoy Han-sur-Lesse NavSat coordinates: N E / N E Distance: 75 km (47 miles) Nestling between the Ardennes and the Condroz, the Famenne is a large schistladen depression, where the altitude rarely exceeds 300m. It s enclosed between plateaus and hills, and you can enjoy clear views of the area - which is renowned for its many sumptuous panoramas - from the surrounding hillsides. La Famenne is crossed by the Calestienne, a narrow limestone strip with silt soils offering flora and fauna which are incomparable to anything found in the adjacent areas. This tour offers a journey of discovery through this rather charming limestone serpent that stretches out across the entire breadth of Wallonia: Chimay to Couvin in the west, Hamoir, Ferrières and Aywaille in the east, even passing through Givet (in France), and Beauraing, Rochefort, Marche-en-Famenne, Hotton and Durbuy. The tour starts at Place Théo Lannoy in Hansur-Lesse. The small village of Han-sur-Lesse owes its international renown to the famous caves of Han, which are the result of the joint work of two elements during several millions of years. Firstly, the work of rainwater which becomes acid when it passed through the humus (earth made out of decomposed vegetation), and infiltrates and erodes the strata (superimposed layers of limestone, constituted of the corals and shells that used to lie at the bottom of the sea that once covered the whole earth s surface). When the sea retreats, these strata fold up and crack vertically. Secondly, the water from the Lesse river, sweeping along a load of earth and stones, infiltrated these cracks. This is how the cracks were eroded and enlarged, ultimately forming a 14 km (8.7 miles) long network of galleries and rooms, as the river kept digging lower and lower. As time went by, the water disappeared from the underwater galleries. This is when concretions made their appearance, fashioned by the limestone-filled water drops as they passed through the soil. These limestone concretions are called stalactites when they hang down from the ceiling and stalagmites, when they rise from the ground. The speed at which they are formed varies widely: from 0.2 cm to 9.6 cm (0.08 tot The Calestienne

30 1 Our tip 1 The view from the Belvédère is one of the most superb in the area, with its typical Famenne countryside and, in the distance the Ardennes looming on the horizon. This area is protected because of its exceptional beauty but also because of the incredible variety of its fauna and flora. At your feet, you can admire the exceptional dry river valley or as the Walloons say chavée, or more simply put, the Lesse s former river bed. You can also see the dome-shaped, tree clad Boine massif, where the industrious river dug out the caves of Han. Until about 100,000 years ago, the Lesse used to flow in this large meander, before finding an easier underground route, thus creating the Belvaux swallow hole, where the river disappears into the massif s limestone subsoil through a vertiginous 50 metres (55 yards) deep siphon. This is what is called a lost river. The Lesse then reappears 2 km (1.2 miles) further at the caves exit. The absorption capacity of the chasm is limited to 25,000 litres per second, so as soon as the river flow achieves a higher rate, the Lesse flows back into its former river bed (meander), flowing around the Boine massif once more and flooding the neighbouring areas. The villagers in Han then say that the water turns. In order to preserve this wonderful and wild natural site, the company that owns the grounds, had the idea of creating Wildlife Reserve at first only accessible by safaricars. This Animal Park was opened on 13 July 1970 and presents, on a 250 hectares (618 acres) surface area, 17 species of animals still living or who once populated the area, namely : wild boar, wolves, wild cats, foxes, ibex, roe deer, lynx, tarpan, doe, mountain sheep, aurochs, stag, bison, Scottish beef, brown bears, Przewalski horses, chamois, etc. After about 1 km (0.6 mile), turn right towards Hamerenne. The Belvedere is at the top of the hill on your right. Leave your car in the small car park on the left hand side and continue on foot to the other side of the road. To go back to the tour, go back on your tracks, and at the T-shaped crossroads, turn right towards Rochefort. 30

31 inches) per century. In the winter as in the summer, the temperature in the cave is a stable 13. Extensive and systematic searches of the site have revealed that the cave has been occupied from the late Stone Age onwards, through the Roman era as well as during the Middle-Ages. I hope we have made our point: a visit to the Caves of Han-sur-Lesse is a must! Leave Han-sur-Lesse, and turn left towards Rochefort. 1 Our tip 1 On arrival at Rochefort s main junction, turn right towards Saint- Hubert. Rochefort enjoys international fame thanks to its tasty Trappist beer and the International Comedy Festival, the very first of its kind in the French-speaking world. But also, Justine Henin, the very talented Belgian tennis player, comes from Rochefort. The Lhomme - that once used to flow into the Cave of Lorette - flows through the town. The river changed its course due to the embankment and dam that were built to force the river to bypass the town and fuel the watermills dotted along its course. During floods (or when the water level rises), part of the river flows back into its former bed and flows into the cave through the Trou des Maulins or Malins, which - according to folk etymology anyway - refers to the Nutons (the Belgian equivalent of hobgoblins). According to local legend, these minute cave dwellers did many good deeds and favours for the locals. A more scientific explanation of the etymology is that Trou Maulin stems from Trou du Noù Moulin, which means from the new mill. The Calestienne The quality of the water and the soil both played a crucial role in the town s expansion, namely in the production of the famed Trappist beer, whose main ingredient is water! The water used for brewing the Trappist beers is exceptionally pure. It comes from the Tridaine fountain, next to the Saint-Remy Abbey. The Calestienne 2 31

32 1 Our tip 2 The Rond du Roi Panorama, where you can enjoy a wide view of the town, is a small piece of Famenne soil that constitutes an exceptionally pure example of our typical rural countryside. The Lesse and Lhomme Natural Park offers vegetal life an extraordinary variety of milieus, owing to the soil s many contrasts and nuances and the fact that it benefits from a sunnier and warmer climate than the Condroz and the Ardennes (the annual rainfall is far less abundant here: a mere 850 mm (33.5 inches) compared to 1,000 to 1,100 mm (39 tot 43 inches) in the Ardennes). In this protected area, the vegetal species are remarkable, and the most widespread species is the Downy oak, which you can constantly admire, perched on the upper parts of the warmer and sunnier hillsides. The soil is rather rocky; the top layer is cracked limestone. The soil is extremely permeable, and hardly retains any water at all; the other plants have to adapt to the drought. Unlike the Ardennes forest, the Famenne forest is essentially composed of deciduous trees (beech, hornbeam, oak and maple trees). Man planted Norway Pine and Austrian Pine (also known as European Black Pine because of the colour of its trunk). When planted in a cluster, the pines are rather bare and very tall, like around the Rond du Roi, but when planted in isolated clumps (the Han Belvédère), the trees are smaller and denser. The pine needles that grow in pairs are very different from those of the spruce trees that tend to grow in the Ardennes. Just after the Castle of the Counts, turn right and continue climbing upwards (keeping right) until you arrive at the Rond du Roi. To go back to the tour, turn back and at the crossroads with the main road, take a left and then continue towards the Cave of Lorette. 32

33 1 Our tip metres (219 yards) uphill, turn left and carefully drive towards the Cave of Lorette. A visit to the Cave of Lorette takes you on a journey 60 metres (66 yards) underground with, as a grand finale, the breathtaking Sabbath Chamber. Unlike many Belgian caves; the Cave of Lorette has the particularity of having extremely vertical rooms and galleries. The Cave is also the theatre of geological research into tectonic phenomena. Near the cave, you can also admire the rather beautiful Chapel of Lorette (see p 56). At the cave car park, turn left, then, at the intersection with the stone cross, turn left, into Rue des Valennes. Continue straight ahead, and then turn left at the intersection with the wooden bench. This area is called les Rabanisses. Continue straight ahead towards Jemelle. Drive down through the village until you arrive at the church. The Calestienne We suggest you make a short stop near the bandstand opposite the church. Jemelle is a diminutive of the Germanic word Gamunda meaning (river) mouth, confluence. Legend has it that the daughter of the Lord of Rochefort expressed the wish to baptize each and every one of the places they encountered during their travels through their lands. When they arrived at the confluence of the Lomme and the Wamme, the two august travellers noticed the two twin (jumelles in French) rivers joyously flowing and merging into each other. While the girl descended from the coach, she suddenly heard a melodious voice rise above the sound of the stream saying Je me mêle (I am mingling). Seized with wonder, she ran towards her father and said to him: We shall call this place Je me mêle. Later on, it was written Jememelle. Finally, the local clerk, probably judging the name a tad too long, shortened it to Jemelle, which is how it has been written ever since. The Calestienne 2 33

34 1 Our tip 3 If you like beer, we suggest you pop into the traditional Saint-Monon brewery for a visit (see p 77). In this case, take the first on the right, Rue Principale. The brewery is a bit further on, on your right. After visiting the brewery, go back on your tracks and turn right, Rue de Harsin, to continue the tour. Continue straight ahead, drive round the church on the left and at the T-shaped intersection with the main road, turn right. After the tunnel, turn right towards Forrières. After 1.8 km (1.1 miles), turn left towards Ambly. At the crossroads at the Ambly village entrance, turn left, Rue de Harsin. 1 Our tip 3 Then take the first on the left, Chemin de la Mouchonnière. After 2 km (1.2 miles), at the top of the hill, take the small country road on your left (signposted walk - yellow rectangle -> drive slowly). 34

35 You arrive in On, a village with a rather steep terrain, bordered by luscious woods and settled on the south hill of the Wamme valley. The nearby railways and the fertile Gerny plateau were instrumental in the development of agricultural industry and the exploitation of an important quarry. Along with Jemelle, Rochefort and Han-sur-Lesse, the area around On is one of the most interesting in Belgium as regards underground hydrology as the three rivers - the Wamme, the Lesse and the Lhomme - have an important underground network, creating vast and extremely complex underground reservoirs. At the intersection near the On village entrance, drive downwards on the left, Rue Jean Jadot, and at the T-shaped crossroads, turn right. Drive round the Place Capitaine Mostenne, drive past the church, and then turn left towards Hargimont. The village boasts several remarkable 18 th and 19 th c. buildings, among which the old Toussaint (All saints) farmhouse, a superb U-shaped building built in Belgian bluestone, nestles on the river banks near the village exit. Drive over the bridge that overhangs the Wamme and turn right towards Hargimont. The Calestienne At the Hargimont village entrance, on your left hand side, the Ferme de la Commanderie (Commandry Farm) is most certainly worth a look. This building (at n 31) owes its name to its 12 th and 14 th c. owners, the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint-John of Jerusalem. A bit further on, at n 23, the Ferme de l Hôpital (Hospital Farm) dates from the 19 th and 20 th c. (see p 49). After the Ferme de la Commanderie, turn right towards Ambly, then left, Rue Saint-Gobert. You will arrive just opposite the splendid Castle of Jemeppe, an impressive medieval castle with a donjon - the oldest part of the castle, dating from the 13 th c. - that is set in a classically styled ensemble from the 17 th c., as well as a moat filled by water from the The Calestienne 2 35

36 Hedrée. At the left of the castle, you can see an old farm that was also built during the 17 th c. The whole complex was listed in 1982, then exquisitely restored from 1998 onwards, and is now completely rehabilitated as a luxurious conference centre (see p 50). At the T-shaped crossroads (opposite the castle), turn left. At the next T-shaped crossroads, turn right towards Marche, then immediately take the little uphill road on your left towards Aye. You are going to drive through part of the Gerny plateau, a fertile plain whose name is thought to derive from the Latin word Germanica which means granary which explains why it is also called the Famenne s granary. Bird lovers will be pleased to know that this vast agricultural plateau is always teeming with migratory birds that have halted here on their way to sunnier climes. At the next intersection, at the top of the hill, next to a small isolated building and a radio antenna, turn right, and at the T-shaped intersection, turn right again. You are going to drive alongside the Domain of Hassonville Castle (a hotel and restaurant) which boasts a superb 55 hectares (136 acres) park created by a student of Le Nôtre, who was Louis XIV s personal landscape architect. The castle s oldest section is dated Continue straight ahead until the junction with the N836 (careful: dangerous). Cross the road and continue straight ahead towards Marloie. After the second railway bridge, turn right. The village of Marloie expanded during the 19 th c. thanks to the junction of the Brussels- Arlon and Ourthe railway lines. Marloie currently holds the position of the area s main train station. On 21 May 1944, a German convoy of 30 wagons loaded with 450 tons of explosives was targeted by allied bombings, causing the deaths of dozens of civilians. Hundreds of people 36

37 were injured and the village was totally devastated. The parish church was also destroyed during the bombing and rebuilt in Drive past the station, then turn left. On your left hand side, just before the church, the Vieille Cense building is certainly worth a look. It s an architectural ensemble that was listed in The oldest parts of the building reflect the successive phases of development of the site from the 15 th c. until now. The complex has been remarkably well restored. It has a reception room and three exhibition rooms where prestigious exhibitions are organised on a regular basis (Milo Dardenne, Jean Dupont, Jean-Michel Folon, Remy Van den Abeele, ). At the traffic lights, turn left towards Marche. Drive past the second set of traffic lights, then continue on the main road until the third lights, where you need to turn right towards Waha. Continue straight ahead, Rue du Maquis, towards the church. Here, it would be a good idea to park your car in the car park on the left hand side below the Saint-Etienne church. This will allow you to admire the church at close range and be entranced by the fabulous array of sparkling colours that emerge from the stained-glass windows designed by the well-known Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon (see p 19). The Calestienne Just before the church, turn right, Rue du Chêne, drive upwards on the left, then take the second on the left, Rue du Petit Bois. From the Rue du Petit Bois you can enjoy a magnificent view of the first villages of the Province of Namur. At the T-shaped crossroads at the end of the road, turn left. At the roundabout, take the first exit and cross the bridge over the N4. At the next crossroads, turn left towards Marche and continue The Calestienne 2 37

38 1 Our tip 4 The small, deep valley called the Fond des Vaulx with its wild, untamed character and a surface area of approximately 15 hectares (37 acres) offers us a landscape which forms quite a contrast with the expanse of the plain surrounding Marche. The valley is part of the limestone strip known as the Calestienne, which was fashioned over millions of years by the acid water seeping from the Ardennes massif in the south. Many legends are linked to this mystery-shrouded valley Three walks will allow you to discover, among other sights, several cavities and caverns (the Ducasse Cave, Trou du Renard The Fox s Hole, etc.), and a chasm called the Trotti aux Fosses (a geological oddity unique in Belgium and listed as a Subterranean Cavity of Scientific Interest), chantoirs (which are tears in the river bed) and rock faces, for example the Plate Pierre The Flat Stone In this minute valley, a surprising variety of fauna, flora and geological forms are the joy of many a nature enthusiast. A sheltered barbecue area and a Hébert fitness trail have been created for the enjoyment of ramblers and fitness enthusiasts alike. Rustic cows and sheep are regularly put out to graze in the valley. Once you re in the Rue des Tanneurs, continue straight ahead, then take the first on the right and continue until the tunnel, which is the entrance to the Fond des Vaulx. To go back to the tour, continue on the main road until the next crossroads. Turn right, then turn right again Rue des Tanneurs. Then take the second on the left, Rue Rempart des Jésuites. 38

39 straight ahead. After the railway, take the second on the right, Rue des Tanneurs, then the second on the left, Rue Rempart des Jésuites. At the entrance of the Rue Rempart des Jésuites, stands the Tour de la Juniesse (Juniesse Tower), the ultimate remains of the town fortifications. For a long time, the tower housed the Lace Museum. An interesting fact is that one of the rooms in the Museum of the Famenne is exclusively dedicated to this craft which had its heyday during the 19 th c. The Juniesse Tower currently houses the creations of Gauthier Louppe - a master of the stringed-instrument trade and a master lute-maker - and the creations of the students of the International Lute-making school established in the annexe. 1 Our tip 4 Turn right and continue towards the roundabout opposite the Maison du Tourisme. Then take the fourth exit towards Rochefort. You can park your car (free parking in the car park next to the Maison du Tourisme) and take some time to discover on foot the capital of the Famenne and its town centre. The town s architectural harmony, numerous characterful buildings, its remarkably well renovated streets and buildings, its pedestrian area, its leafy squares, its innumerable sculptures and fountains. To guide you through the town, an explanatory booklet is available from the Maison du Tourisme. The Calestienne A visit to the Museum of the Famenne is certainly worth your while. Located in a splendid 18th c. edifice, this museum will take you on a journey ranging from the high Middle-Ages to the Modern Art era. At the roundabout at the end of the Urban Boulevard, take the first exit and drive towards Aye (careful: dangerous). Drive past the hospital and continue until the main road. After the bend in the road, cross the bridge overhanging the railway, and continue on the left. The Calestienne 2 39

40 1 Our tip 5 You might have noticed the small hillocks scattered throughout the countryside, emerging from the otherwise flat landscape. These hills - that are characteristic of the area - are called Tiennes in the local dialect. This landscape is typical of the Calestienne. The Tiennes are the result of millions of years of work; by the sea, the folding of the earth s crust, periods of extreme cold and global warming. The infiltration of water has given birth to a maze of caves such as the caves of Han, Rochefort, or even Remouchamps. At the same intersection, turn right and continue for 2 km (1.2 mile) until you come to a tall antenna, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding landscapes. To go back to the tour, go back on your tracks until the crossroads and then turn right towards Navaugle. On a schist bank lies the village of Aye, snugly nestled between the Lesse Valley and the Ourthe Valley. From the village, you have a superb view of the Famenne and the rocky spurs that herald the threshold of the Ardennes. After the church, on your left, there are a number of remarkable buildings (private property). At n 12 is an old L-shaped farmhouse that dates from the late 18 th c. N 16 is the Manor, with its traditional architecture, and is composed of a vast main building surrounded by outbuildings dating from It is built in brick and 40

41 Belgian bluestone, with lower sections in limestone. After suffering damage during the First World War the castle was restored between 1920 and 1927, then underwent more restoration between 1967 and N 20 is the Aye Castle-farm built during the first half of the 17 th c. In olden times, the main building was surrounded by moats, and could only be accessed via the drawbridge. The moats and drawbridges resisted the test of time and are even mentioned in 1877 documents. The castle was converted into a farm in the 18 th c. Drive through the village of Aye on its main road, then follow the directions to Humain. On your left, at the village entrance, you can admire the Castle of Humain (private property). It is surrounded by a vast park dotted with ponds and was built in 1756 by Charles-Antoine de Rossius, Lord of Humain. Two 19 th c. pilasters topped with vases mark the entrance of the domain. The castle was burnt down in December 1944 during the Battle of the Ardennes, and subsequently restored to its original style and glory. On the little square at the village entrance, turn right, Rue de Thys, and continue on the main road until you get to Havrenne. The Calestienne Humain, a village set in undulating countryside, stretches out over the northern side of the Calestienne and is surrounded by the Gerny plateau, a fertile plain whose name is thought to derive from the Latin Germanica (meaning granary ), which explains its nickname of Granary of the Famenne. The village boasts a couple of U- or I-shaped limestone farms from the 18 th or 19 th c., as well as the 17 th c. Ferme des Moines (Monks s Farm) on your left, at n 38, Rue de Thys. Cross the village of Havrenne and continue on the main road until Buissonville. The Calestienne 2 41

42 1 Our tip 6 We recommend you take the time to discover the pretty little village of Belvaux which is blessed with some rather remarkable elements of heritage (chapel, public bakery, old watermill), but is also an ideal starting point for numerous rambles. You probably noticed the stone sculptures of snails on the riverbanks, sculptures that are there to remind us that snail farming was an essential economic activity in the area during the 19 th c. This is why the Belvaux villagers are nicknamed the Caracolis (Walloon for snails). At the T-shaped crossroads, turn left, then cross the bridge and turn right. You can park in the car park a bit further on. After your visit, go back on your tracks and, at the Y-shaped crossroads after the bridge, turn right towards Han-sur-Lesse. In Havrenne, the doorsteps, pavements, the small niche dedicated to the Holy Virgin at n 28 and the lower sections of the houses, are all made with the pink marble from the old Saint-Remy quarry, located nearby. At the top of the hill that crosses through Havrenne, a wide view of the landscape unfolds before you. 42

43 Drive through Buissonville. After the church, turn left, Rue de la Fontaine. At the intersection with a main road (careful: dangerous), continue straight ahead towards Navaugle. 1 Our tip 5 Cross the village of Navaugle and continue towards Frandeux. Driving through these villages, you can admire many beautiful houses and, during the sunny season, the flowerpots scattered throughout and hanging from the houses, proof that the villagers take pride in their village. Then continue towards Laloux-Briquemont and drive through these two villages. After 1.3 km (0.8 mile), at the right-angled intersection with the N911, turn left then take the first on the right towards Jamblinne. Go through this charming and peaceful little village, constantly following the directions to Villers-sur-Lesse. The Calestienne Immediately after the crossroads, on your right hand side, you can spot one of the many access points to the Réseau Autonome de Voies Lentes (Autonomous Network of Slow Ways), known as the RAVel, and which links Jemelle to Houyet. This former railway line was dismantled after 1978 and rehabilitated as a lovely path for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users. A bit further on, next to the bridge, the Lesse appears, wild and untamed. The Lesse has its source in Ochamps and winds it way through the villages of Daverdisse, Halma, Chanly and Resteigne before disappearing into the Chasm of Belvaux on the heights of Han-sur-Lesse before magically reappearing at the cave exit and continuing its journey towards Lessive, Villers-sur-Lesse and Houyet, terminating its journey in Anseremme, where the river flows into the Meuse. This is the course followed by the Lesse as it winds its way northwards for about 84 km (52 miles). The Calestienne 2 43

44 1 Our tip 7 With your back towards the old lime kiln (see p 60), take a moment to admire the Wavreille anticline. It is mentioned in almost every Belgian geography manual and is classified as a listed site. An anticline is a dome-shaped fold that appears in the landscape as a hill levelled out by erosion. The strata are formed by layer upon layer of sea-sediments accumulated during millions of years. The thus formed layers appear at the surface in longitudinal strips that are symmetrical in relation to the axe of the crease. The sheer weight of the superimposed strips ends up turning into stone the sediments contained in the calcium carbonate that makes up at least 50% of limestone. The ceaseless movements of the earth s crust and the incessant overlaps and creases created by the continental drift (2 to 15 cm (0.8 to 5.9 inches) per annum) end up creating anticlines. At the intersection with the main road at the village entrance (careful: dangerous), turn left. Continue for about 1 km (0.6 mile) before stopping for a while in the small car park on the other side of the road. To go back to your tour, go back on you tracks and continue straight ahead towards Han-sur-Lesse. Continue until Villers-sur-Lesse. The history of the village of Villers-sur-Lesse is intimately linked to that of the Royal Donation, as will be explained below. At the village entrance, slightly set back on the right hand side, towers the Château Jaune (Yellow Castle). It was built in the 14 th c. by the very first Lord of Villers and towers above a superb 18 th c. Royal Farm with half-timbered walls. Brick has quite commonly replaced the cob that was made out of clay and hay. The gable is marked with the date, and a 16 th c. stele ensconced in the wall represents two well-known biblical characters: Moses and Aaron, holding the tablets of Law. The castle and this magnificent farm both belong to the Royal Donation along with more than half of the grounds of Villers-sur-Lesse. The grounds and buildings that belong to the Royal Donation are the property of the Belgian State which is not allowed to sell them all or in part. 44

45 The Royal Castle of Ciergnon, which is assigned to the use of the current royal family, is not far now (see p 61). Immediately after the hotel, take the road on the left, Rue de la Wimbe. Then turn left again towards Lessive. At the centre of the village of Lessive, turn right towards Ave-et-Auffe. The charming little village of Lessive is typical of the area and houses an old watermill (not open for visitors) whose traditional machinery has managed to remain intact (private property). The watermill was listed in The Lesse floods the village of Lessive on a regular basis, and this is probably why the villagers were given the nickname Tchabots; a chabot is a small, flat headed, black coloured fish that measures 12 to 15 cm (4.7 to 5.9 inches). When the river level rises, the villagers often fish from their doorsteps! In past years, every villager, from a very young age, had to be able to walk on stilts. Stilts were not only indispensable during the frequent floods, but were also used to ford the stream with the livestock that went to graze in pastures beyond the rivers. The tradition is perpetuated by the Lessive folk group called Les Skassis (Walloon for stilts). The members of this association, founded in 1950, wear blue smocks and don a cap during their public outings. The Calestienne Lessive is also noteworthy as the site of the first antenna for satellite communication which was set up in 1971 (it was the RTT - former Belgian telecom - ground station). A number of essential criteria made this possible: the quality of the subsoil, the natural protection provided by the hilly landscape, the microclimate and the fact that this particular location is safe from interference waves. The antennae are definitely an eye-opener! Immediately after the antennae, at the top of the hill near the village exit, turn left, then immediately turn left again (country road through the fields) towards the small village of Auffe. Admire the superb views of the countryside surrounding you. At the intersection with the main road, continue straight ahead towards Belvaux. 1 Our tip 6 Now continue towards Han-sur-Lesse. At the village entrance, turn right to get back to the Place Théo Lannoy. 1 Our tip 7 The Calestienne 2 45

46 Eprave Sainte-Anne Lessive Han-sur-Lesse Ambly Grune Humain Aye Bande Villers-sur-Lesse Hargimont Lavauxen-Famenne Rochefort Nassogne Marche- Eprave Sainte-Anne Lessive Han-sur-Lesse Ambly Grune Humain Aye Bande Villers-sur-Lesse Hargimont Lavaux- En-famenne Rochefort Nassogne Marcheen-Famenne Rochefort Nassogne Marche- Navaugle Chevetogne Fenffe Vignée Ver vène oir Jamblinne Ave-et-Auffe Belvaux Lesterny Waha Hollogne Champlon Waillet Basses Havrenne Buissonville Serinchamps Charneux Roy Grimbiémont Môchamps Ciergnon Enhet Ronvaux Reux Conjoux Frandeux Briquemont Mont-Gauthier Forzee Hamerenne Jemelle Marloie Forrières Masbourg On Harsin Chavanne Wavreille Grupont Mormont Auffe Lignièr Verdenne Marenne Haversin Hogne Genimont Hérock Hérock Navaugle Chevetogne Fenffe Vignée Ver vène oir Jamblinne Ave-et-Auffe Belvaux Lesterny Waha Hollogne Champlon Waillet Basses Havrenne Buissonville Serinchamps Charneux Roy Grimbiémont Môchamps Ciergnon Enhet Ronvaux Reux Conjoux Frandeux Briquemont Mont-Gauthier Forzee Hamerenne Jemelle Marloie Forrières Masbourg On Harsin Chavanne Wavreille Grupont Mormont Auffe Lignièr Verdenne Marenne Haversin Hogne Genimont N929 N918 N836 N803 N849 N849 N889 N896 N888 N889 N855 N929 N911 N94 N911 N949 N949 N86 N63 N86 N86 N86 N86 N86 N4 N4 N4 N4 E46 E46 E411 E411 E411 E411 E46 46 ROMANA 3 km 103 (on the RAVeL)

47 The Secrets of the Stones Departure: Place de l Étang, Marche-en-Famenne NavSat coordinates: N E / N E Distance: 103 km (64 miles) The tour starts at the Maison du Tourisme, Place de l Étang in Marche. The town of Marche is scattered with characterful buildings. The architectural harmony of the town, its remarkably well renovated streets and buildings, its pedestrian area, its leafy squares, its innumerable sculptures and fountains are evidence of a successful urban revitalization. It is worth noting that the town of March won an award in the European EDEN contest (European Destination of Excellence) for 2011, mainly because of its impressive number of rehabilitated sites. These restored and enhanced buildings include: the Juniesse Tower (last vestige of the town s medieval fortifications), the Maison Jadot (which houses the Museum of the Famenne), the Carmes (formerly a Carmelite monastery), the Van der Straeten castle (Town hall), the Manoir (hotel-restaurant), the old corn exchange (restaurant), and the old Jesuit church (hotel-restaurant),... To guide you through these treasures, an explanatory booklet is available from the Maison du Tourisme. The Secrets of the Stones Take the Urban Boulevard towards Rochefort. At the first roundabout, take the second exit, Boulevard du Midi. On your right, the town hall, tucked away in the verdant heart of the Van der Straeten park is definitely worth a look. This former castle was acquired in 1966 by the town of Marche, and used to accommodate its administrative department in This 3 hectares (7.4 acres) park, shelters several remarkable trees, an ecological pond, an area for skate-boarding enthusiasts and a children s playground. 47

48 Drive up towards the Place aux Foires and drive round part of the square by first turning right, then left, then continue on your right towards the crossroads with the Avenue de la Toison d Or. In the car park on your right, you might want to stop and admire the sculpture called Loin (Far) by the well-known Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon. Carefully negotiate the crossroads towards Waha. Drive through the tunnel and continue straight ahead until you reach the church. While driving uphill, on your left, take a look at the domain of the Castle of Waha, a 19 th c. neo-classically styled building in painted brick and Belgian bluestone, and on your right the old seigniorial castle-farm, with its 17 th c. square tower. At the crossroads with the church, turn right, Rue du Maquis. We strongly recommend you park your car in the car park on the left hand side, below the Saint-Etienne Church and admire the fabulous array of colours that emerge from the stunning stained-glass windows designed by the well-known Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon (see p 19). The Farm des Blancs Curés (White Monks farmhouse - private property) is hidden away a couple of metres/yards beyond the church. The building comprises the Saint-Martin s church s former vicarage, which has now disappeared. The building probably dates from the 16 th c., while the outbuildings in dressed limestone, just opposite, go back to the 18 th c. Nearby, there is a 17 th half-timbered farmhouse, which was converted in the 19 th c. Cross the village via the main road until you arrive at the roundabout, where you need to take the second exit. At the traffic lights, turn left, and then take the first exit on the right. A bit further on, cross the bridge over the railway on your right hand 48

49 side, then turn left and cross the second bridge. At the crossroads with the N836 (careful: dangerous), turn left. After the Fruytier timber factory, you drive alongside the Gerny plateau on your right, and on the left hand side, you ll enjoy wonderful views of the village of Hargimont and its castle. Continue straight ahead for 4.6 km (2.9 miles), then follow the direction of On. Drive until the intersection with a main road and turn left towards Marche to get to Hargimont. When you arrive at Hargimont, you ll drive by the Ferme de la Commanderie (Commandry Farm) on your left (at n 31), which owes its name to its 14 th c. owners, the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint-John of Jerusalem. In 1191, Henry II, called Henry the Blind, Count of Namur and Luxemburg, donated his Hargimont fief to the Templers so that they could establish a house for their order there. By this gesture he hoped to obtain the remission of his sins and peace for the souls of his predecessors. This commandry, that was mainly dedicated to breeding, passed, as did all of those that belonged to Templers, to the hands of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint-John of Jerusalem (future Order of Malta) by a 1312 papal bull. Abolished in 1797 under the French revolutionary regime the commandry was converted into a farm. The building that you now see has been superbly renovated and converted into apartments. The building was erected on the location of the former commandry during the second half of the 18 th c. The Secrets of the Stones Further on, at n 23, the Ferme de l Hôpital (Hospital Farm) dates from the 19 th and 20 th c. The building was never really used as a hospital farm, but its name and location remind us of the existence of such farms. The Verger d à côté (which means the orchard next door ), at n 3, produces and sells 100% natural fruit juices (see p 75). At the main crossroads in Hargimont, turn right towards Bastogne. The Secrets of the Stones 3 49

50 On your left, you will drive by the magnificent Castle of Jemeppe that was the residence of the Lords of Jemeppe, until the annexation by France and the end of the Ancient Regime. The first known Lord was Jean Dochain (1280). Originally, the castle consisted solely of a 23 metres (25 yards) high square donjon that was built in the 13 th c. It was built with a double purpose: as a residence and as a means of defence (at the time, the dynasties of Namur and Luxemburg were at war), and remained the property of the Dochain family until In the 17 th c., during the time of the Ans family, three wings were added to the donjon and formed the quadrilateral building you can now admire. The farm was also built during the 17 th c. It was composed of a hayloft, stables, a sheep barn, and the domestic s quarters. The next owners were the Grady family during the 18 th c., then the Sauvage-Vercours from 1838 onwards. The building was abandoned in the 20 th c., but fortunately it was eventually purchased, entirely renovated and completely rehabilitated as a luxurious congress centre. The whole complex was listed in Continue straight ahead for 5.7 km (3.5 miles) until you reach the N4 that you will take for a couple of hundred of metres/yards before taking the first exit towards Grune. Driving uphill towards Grune, you ll drive by the Drève des Tilleuls on your right. This remarkable, listed lane of linden trees is a little over 1,000 metres (1,094 yards) long and has 318 linden trees that were planted circa 1900 (private property). A bit higher up, on your left, looms the Castle of Grune (private property). The history of the village is intimately linked to the history of this former fortified house. Henri de Wellin, Lord of Grune, Crupet and Masbourg, is the first Lord ever mentioned in a 1290 document. The castle was surrounded by ditches until the beginning of the 19 th c. The building forms a quadrilateral shape; it is composed of a seigniorial dwelling and a farm that has fallen into ruin. The house was built in 1613 by Gilles de Mozet, Lord of Grune. In 1851, it was restored by Th. Pety de Thozée. In 1894, the Count Maurice de Ramaix restored it a second time. The farm dates from the early 18 th c. and the portal exterior is topped with a stone bearing the arms of the Mozet-Waha family. The castle suffered greatly during the First World War. 50

51 It was almost entirely burnt down, and the building was (partially) restored in Listed as a historic monument since 1947, the castle is currently occupied by the Ramaix family. Drive through the village of Grune by following its main road, Rue du Centre. A lot of the houses still bear traces of a barn door. The barns were used to store the hay and shelter the carts, which is why the doors are quite large. Many of the houses also have a small outbuilding - generally built near the road, away from the living quarters - that was used as a pigsty. The older constructions, mostly from the 19 th or early 20 th c., are built either with sandstone that was extracted from a quarry in the Bois de Grune (Grune wood), half-timber work and cob, or in some cases, with the bricks that were baked in the old Harsin brick factory. Paradoxically, brick was at the time considered as a noble material (some of the façades are made out of brick, while the back of the houses and the gables are in Belgian bluestone). The farm at n 7, Rue du Centre, is part of the cooperative called Tourelles cheese dairy and has a variety of unpasteurised cheeses on offer as well as yoghurts and dairy desserts (see p 88). After the bend in the road towards Nassogne, turn right, Rue Cocraimont. The Secrets of the Stones On your left, is a wide view of the Valley of the Wassoie. With the Saint-Hubert forest as a backdrop, the village of Grune overlooks the valleys of the Wamme and the Hédrée. Continue for about 2.5 km (1.5 miles) until the T-shaped crossroads, at the intersection of a main road (careful: dangerous). Turn right, and then turn left immediately, Chemin-sur-le-Foy, towards Ambly. The Gatte d Or (which literally means: the Golden Goat), on your right hand side, is a non profit-making association that aims to favour the integration and improve its members self- The Secrets of the Stones 3 51

52 worth, through the use of different means of expression, creativity and social networking irrespective of their age group or natural aptitudes (see p 17). At Ambly, take the first on the left towards Nassogne, Rue Principale. After the monument, on your right, notice the building that used to house the nursery school. The building is built in Art Nouveau style, which is extremely rare for the area. At n 41 of the same street, don t miss out on the traditional brewery La Saint-Monon (see p 77). We recommend you park in the church car park for a while and set out on foot to discover a very pretty neighbourhood. In this case you need to turn left Rue de la Prée, a couple of metres/yards after the church. The first house on the right, at n 2, is quite an eye-catcher. This long limestone and sandstone farmhouse has a gable dated The village elders still call it Maison Colle or the Maison des bourgmestres. The front door lock is decorated with the Napoleonic eagle, and is, like the rest of the neighbourhood doors, fitted with a doorknocker. Rumour has it that during the Revolution, a priest was hidden in this house. The villagers also remember when the whole neighbourhood met at the bakery for the legendary poiret (traditional, jam-like pear syrup) and vinegar-making evenings. Nowadays, the house is for rent as a self-catering countryside cottage. A long time ago, between the Maison Colle and the brook, there was a building that was called la salinerie, where saltpetre (that was then sold in Dinant) was produced. On 30 April 1862, a fire started in this house, killing a small ten year old girl and destroying nine other houses. The mill, at n 1, dates from 1843 and used to be a sheep farm. Its 1969 buyer not only consolidated the banks of the brook, but also turned the farm into a mill. Continue your route, Rue Principale. At the crossroads near the village exit (careful: dangerous), turn left towards Nassogne. 52

53 You will arrive just below the collegial church of Saint-Monon, with its ancient graveyard and the lane of linden trees planted in 1803, all of which are listed sites (see p 13). Just as you enter Nassogne, a little before the collegial church, turn right and drive towards Saint-Hubert for 3 km (1.9 miles). At the bottom of the valley, at the crossroads with the N849, turn right towards Masbourg. At the village entrance, slightly set back from the road on your right hand side, an old watermill is tucked away at n 49. It was built with dressed sandstone and dates back to the second half of the 18 th c. The outbuildings were added in the 20 th c. and the main mill wheel outside was replaced in You can still see the original mill openings on the gable and all of the interior machinery has been preserved. In Masbourg, at the bridge on the left, follow the directions to Lesterny. Drive through the village of Lesterny via the main road. Drive by the church and then continue on the right. At the T-shaped crossroads, turn right, then immediately left, Rue Notre-Dame de Haurt. The village of Lesterny overlooks the Lhomme river valley and its name is thought to mean dwellings on a stream. Numerous 19 th c. farms are scattered throughout the village, as well as an 18 th c. listed house (Rue du Point d Arrêt, n 29) and several public wells and drinking fountains. The Secrets of the Stones At the T-shaped crossroads in Forrières (careful: dangerous), turn left, then immediately right, Rue de Rochefort. You will drive by the old Saint-Monon farmhouse, which has been converted to a selfcatering countryside cottage for groups, as well as near the site of the Devil s Stones (see p 16). The Secrets of the Stones 3 53

54 Then, turn right, Rue du Château Vallez. On the left, is the Vallez Castle, a construction dating from the early 20 th c., a building with some quite interesting architectural features, among them a rather striking metallic veranda. Turn right again, then left and cross the railway. The village square certainly deserves a visit. This former marshland has been converted into a public park where the element of water is ever present. The stones spread out all around you are a reference to the village s past, in which the extraction of stone and its working played a crucial part. Now follow the signs to Jemelle. A little before Jemelle station, you can see the impressive buildings of the Lhoist factory, one of the main suppliers of quicklime to the Belgian and Luxemburg steel industry. The quicklime produced by the factory is of the finest quality and the ultramodern factory plant is situated close to nearby major trunk roads and connected to the railway network. The factory produces about 500,000 tons of quicklime per year and employs roughly a 100 people. Historically, the factory s development and exploitation are linked to the construction of the Brussels-Luxemburg railway line in Several entrepreneurs ran the factory before Mr Lhoist took over its management. He undertook the modernization and expansion of the factory. The very first rock crusher, additional industrial-size lime kilns and stone mills were added to the plant. The Lhoist corporation specializes in the extraction of limestone which is then transformed into high quality quicklime used in the metalworking industry and for making cement for road surfaces (for example: the cobblestones that pave Brussels Grand-Place which attracts visitors from all over the world). Along with the railways, the Lhoist factory is an important source of employment for the Jemelle population that quadrupled in the space of 30 years. The Lhoist Corporation has sites all over the world. 54

55 At the traffic lights, at the Jemelle entrance, turn left. Drive through the tunnel under the bridge, and drive through Jemelle towards Rochefort. Immediately after the tunnel, you can visit the Centre for Rail and Stone, which pays tribute to the village s illustrious railway past. The two main aspects of the village s past - the railways and the stone industry - are illustrated here. At the roundabout near the village exit, take the first exit road. On your right, you can see a black mining cart filled with limestone extracted from the quarry; it s a tribute to Mr Lhoist. A little further uphill, turn left towards the Gallo-Roman villa of Malagne. The Archaeopark of Malagne houses the remains of one of the most important villas in North Gaul. The very first excavation campaign, organised by the Namur Archaeological Society in 1891, uncovered a main building (104 m long and 30 m wide x 98 ft) and, outbuildings covering a total surface of 3.5 hectares (8.6 acres). A century later, new excavations supplied more accurate information on the chronology and purpose of the buildings (cellar, baths, etc.). It is thought that it was the extremely fertile soil that attracted the Gauls to Malagne, then the Romans who invaded the area and developed - among others - metalworking. Unsettled by the ceaseless incursions perpetrated by the Germanic tribes, the Romans abandoned the villa during the late third c. AD and used the site for metalworking purposes only. For scientific purposes, but also to make the visit more meaningful, a number of buildings have been added to the vestiges. Malagne also breeds quite a few ancient animal species that were bred by the Gauls and the Romans. As for the vegetable and herb garden, it houses more than 200 different types of vegetables as well as a medicinal and aromatic herb garden. The vegetables and herbs are grown by hand and without the use of chemical fertilizers. The Secrets of the Stones The Secrets of the Stones 3 55

56 1 Our tip 1 Next to the car park near the Cave of Lorette (see p 33), you can see the exquisite Chapel of Lorette, a listed building since It was constructed in the 17 th c. at the request of the Countess Josine de la Marck, the wife of Théodore de Loewenstein, Count of Rochefort. According to local legend, Josine de la Marck had promised a chapel to the Holy Virgin if her child - which had been abducted by a monkey - was returned to her safe and sound. The chapel is divided into two different sections: a classical, square nave in dressed sandstone and, a long, rectangular choir in brick and Belgian bluestone, which is where the original place of pilgrimage was. It dates from 1625 and is a replica of the Santa Casa de Loreta in Italy, which in turn is a reproduction of Maria of Nazareth s house. Pope Benedict XV proclaimed Our Lady of Lorette Patron Saint of aviators. The lane of linden trees was planted as a continuation of the Calvary. 200 metres (219 yards) higher, take the small uphill road on your left towards the cave of Lorette. To go back to the tour, go back on your tracks until the crossroads with the main road and then turn left. 56

57 Continue straight ahead and at the Y-shaped crossroad, turn right. Then turn left, Rue Louis Banneux, and continue towards the crossroads with Rochefort s main road. Turn left, cross the bridge and continue through Rochefort. You will drive past the Our Lady of Visitation church designed by the Brussels architect J.P. Cluysenaar (who also drew the plans of the Saint-Hubert galleries in Brussels, the Argenteuil castle, etc.). Inaugurated on 24 May 1874, it was consecrated on 11 November of the same year by Monsignor Gravez, bishop of Namur. This monumental religious edifice and its choir were both built in a Neo-Romanesque style. Its façade, flanked by two towers, is decorated with a rose window and adorned with eight central statues. A couple of hundred metres/yards further on, on your right, looms the Town Hall, whose singular architecture makes it unique. Built during a period of economic expansion, it is a very original building. Built in an audacious mélange of Neo styles, it boasts an exterior grand staircase, and a smaller flight of steps flanked by a tower reminiscent of the belfries of yesteryear. The shield bears the Walcourt - the Lords of Rochefort during the 12 th and 13 th c. - family s coat of arms. The monument in front of the Town Hall was erected in memory of the victims of the two World Wars. At the main crossroads, continue straight ahead towards Saint- Hubert. The Secrets of the Stones 1 Our tip 1 You will drive past the remains of the Castle of the Counts, on your right. In the late 11 th c., the Montaigu, the first Lords of Rochefort, built a fortress on a rocky spur. This stronghold, of which currently only the old castle walls and donjon remain, gave its name to the small town that developed at the foot of the castle. In fact, Rochefort stems from Rocha fortis, which literally means strong castle fortress (château fort in French). The castle was the seat of a succession of different dynasties (Montaigu, Duras, Walcourt, Marck, Stolberg, The Secrets of the Stones 3 57

58 Löewenstein) and its defensive features were strengthened as years went by. Because of its strategic position, the castle was repeatedly besieged. The lords were counts of Rochefort, vassals of the bishop of Liège for the majority of their lands and vassals of the Count of Luxemburg for the remainder. In 1285, Thierry de Walcourt granted the Charter of Liberties to the burghers of Rochefort. At the time, the town was booming, and Thierry de Walcourt enfranchised the burghers who lived in the small town enclosed within the town walls, but not the peasants that populated the Behogne area. The Walcourt family s coat of arms is now the shield of Rochefort, a fortified town populated by privileged burghers. Most of the houses in Rochefort were half-timbered and detached buildings. After 1795, the possessions of the clergy and the nobility were nationalized. Sold as a national asset, the castle was used as a quarry by pragmatic townsfolk, and used for the construction of quite a few town houses, as well as for the construction of the Château Cousin (a neo-gothic manor near the castle). You are now in the Rue Jacquet, the oldest street in Rochefort s Old Town that was once encircled by ramparts fitted with two entrance portals. The high portal was located on the edge of the Place Lafayette. Continue your journey for 1 km (0.6 mile) towards Saint-Hubert, and then turn right towards Hamerenne. At the Y-shaped crossroads, continue right, then at the end of the road turn left, Rue d Hamerenne. On your left is a remarkably well renovated large farmhouse. The pretty little Saint Odile chapel is tucked away at the back of the farmhouse. This Romanesque edifice, listed in 1946, is a very old sanctuary dedicated to Saint Remi. Since 1715, Saint Odile is also invoked here to cure eye conditions. A pilgrimage takes place here every year during the month of July, the week following the feast of Saint-Odile. Continue your journey for 2.5 km (1.6 miles). 58

59 You will drive past the Belvédère, a breathtaking panorama that is certainly worth a visit. There is a small car park on your right before the downhill slope. The Belvédère is on the other side of the road (see p 30). At the junction with the N86, turn left towards Han-sur-Lesse. Drive through the village and a little after the bridge over the Lesse turn left towards Belvaux. 1 Our tip 2 Drive through the village of Belvaux and continue your journey towards Resteigne, where you cross the bridge on your left hand side. On your right, you can spot the Castle of Resteigne, a robust 18 th c. construction extended by a farm. The main building and the coach tower in the listed façade, both date from the late 11 th c. The castle and verdant gardens stretch out from village houses built alongside the river and the bridge, up to the watermill. During the 12 th c., the castle belonged to the Loraine family, then during the 15 th c., to the Berlo family, Lords of Lavaux-Sainte-Anne, then to the Mérodes family in the 16 th c. In 1627, the baron of Rouveroy, Lord of Lavaux- Sainte-Anne, occupied the castle and added the wings and the west facade that looks out over the gardens. He sold the property to the Hoffschmidt barons in Legend has it that Edmond d Hoffschmidt, son of the Resteigne Lord of the manor, served as an officer in the Napoleonic army. Afterwards, disheartened and disgusted by the social inequities of the time and suffering from unrequited love, he decided to live a life of retreat. His humble abode was made out of uncut stones, topped by a thatch roof and had a central chimney and side windows. After his father s death, when he realized that his isolation had merely separated him from wealth and comfort, without bringing him closer to the poor, he came back to the castle and finally took on his role as Lord of the manor. The Baron d Hoffschmidt was a true man of the people; he gave farming advice to the villagers and brought a doctor The Secrets of the Stones The Secrets of the Stones 3 59

60 1 Our tip 2 The car park opposite the Wavreille anticline, a geological phenomenon typical of the area (see p 44), harbours a lime kiln that was still in use during the early 20 th c. Quicklime was produced here out of local limestone which is composed mainly of calcium carbonate (CaCo3). The stones were poured into the oven from carts, and then heated to a temperature higher than 900 Celsius. The layers of limestone were alternated with layers of wood coal, and the mixture released carbon monoxide and quicklime. When quicklime is combined with water, it becomes slaked lime. Don t turn left towards Belvaux but continue straight ahead for a couple of hundred metres/yards until you reach the small car park on the other side of the road, where we suggest you stop for awhile. To go back to the tour, turn back on your tracks and follow the direction of Belvaux. and a schoolteacher to Resteigne. He even had a village school built and, the dilapidated houses repaired with his own money. Opposite the castle, on the Lesse s right river bank, there is a quarry. Man has worked limestone here since the 6 th c. AD, but we have no hard evidence of when the locals started 60

61 exploiting the quarry. It produces a very fine-grained limestone with white speckles. In 1946, the quarry was merged with another quarry (in activity since 1868) that lies a little higher in the village. But the relations with the villagers quickly deteriorated when new mining techniques were employed, causing an increasingly deeper rift between the villagers and the quarry managers. Noise pollution, dust and gas were more and more harmful to village life and, in 1985 the Walloon Region decided not to renew the quarry s mining permit. Continue your journey, and at the crossroads, turn right driving alongside the castle walls. Then turn left, Rue du Thioray, and then right, Rue des Bouges. At the intersection with the N846, turn right. Continue straight ahead and drive through the villages of Chanly and Halma. At the Halma crossroads, turn right and follow the directions to Dinant (N94). Cross the bridge over the motorway and continue for 3.7 km (2.3 miles) until the crossroads indicating Lavaux-Sainte-Anne. 1 Our tip 3 Continue straight ahead, then turn right towards Villers-sur-Lesse and drive through the village. The Secrets of the Stones At the village exit, the Château Jaune (Yellow Castle), belonging to the Royal Donation, towers above a superb 18 th c. royal farm with a porch. The gable is marked with the date, and a 16 th c. stele ensconced in the wall represents two well-known biblical characters: Moses and Aaron, holding the tablets of Law (see p 44). Continue your journey towards Jamblinne. During your journey, you will catch a glimpse of the Royal Castle of Ciergnon assigned to the use of the current reigning family. King Leopold I had this castle built on request of his The Secrets of the Stones 3 61

62 1 Our tip 3 The famous castle of Lavaux-Sainte-Anne is definitely essential sightseeing. In the 13 th c., the Lord Jacques de Wellin, called de Lavaux, ordered the construction of a simple tower on the banks of the Wimbe, which was to be used to keep a watch on the main forest road. The seigneury then passed on to the Berlo family circa In 1450, the knight Jean II de Berlo had the castle renovated; the towers and curtain walls are still visible now. In 1500, the seigneury belonged to the Baron R. de Mérode who ordered the construction of the fourth tower. In 1574, after a new marital alliance, the Baron Sieger de Groesbeeck inherited the Domain. In 1627, the latter sold the seigneury of Lavaux lock, stock and barrel to the Baron Rouveroy, an infantry colonel in the army of the Emperor Ferdinand III. The Baron partially converted the castle and added a huge farm to the property. The Lords of Berlo and Rouveroy both contributed architectural splendours to the castle and hugely influenced the history of the domain of Lavaux. In 1795, after the tumult of the French Revolution, the domain was sold as state property. The Malaccord family bought it in 1810, thus putting an end to the castle s seigneurial career. It was later abandoned and eventually fell into ruin. In 1933 it was sold on to the League of Friends of the Castle of Lavaux (Ligue des Amis du Château de Lavaux), founded by the Baroness Lemonnier who gave a new lease of life to the castle. Recently the castle has undergone numerous rearrangements and an ecological area has been added on the outskirts of the estate. Turn left and follow the signposts that will take you to the castle. After your visit to Lavaux-Ste-Anne, go back on your tracks until the N94 and turn left to go back to the tour. 62

63 wife, Queen Louise-Mary (the construction started in 1842), but it was Leopold II who was wont to stay there on a regular basis. The brick façade was rebuilt with local limestone. Two square towers were added to the building as well as a number of water features that are scattered throughout the park. Before he died, Leopold II donated the domain to the State, so that it would be protected and preserved for posterity. Cross the village of Jamblinne and at the junction with the N911, turn right towards Rochefort. A little after entering Rochefort, turn left towards Ciney. Continue straight ahead for 3.6 km (2.3 miles) and at the top of the hill, turn right towards Havrenne. Drive through the village of Havrenne following the direction of Humain. Havrenne is a devout village: you can see oratories, Rogation crosses and niches with statues of the Holy Virgin all around the village. Note that the church forecourt, the house doorsteps, flowerpots, low walls, statue niches and the lower sections of the houses are all made out of Saint-Remy marble. On arriving at the village square, admire the beautiful house with the two lion heads. Drive through Humain via the main road, Rue de Thys. The Secrets of the Stones Several U- or I-shaped farmhouses - most of them from the 18 th and 19 th c. - are scattered throughout the village of Humain. At n 71, the U-shaped farm s classically styled main building dates from This bluestone two-storied building has seven rows of windows. The barn, built in 1878, closed the courtyard on the right. The outbuildings on the other side of the road were built during the 19 th and 20 th c. At n 38, the old Ferme des Moines (Monks s farm) probably belonged to the Rochefort monks. It is made out of two parallel buildings. On the left, two annexes from the 19 th and The Secrets of the Stones 3 63

64 20 th c. flank the narrow main building from the 17 th c. On the right, is a 17 th c. wing that housed the stables and a barn. At the end of the Rue de Thys, you arrive just opposite the Humain Castle (see p 41). At the crossroads at the village exit (opposite the castle), turn left towards Aye. On the side of the road, between Humain and Aye, you can see the Saint-Martin quarry. It produced grey and red marble from 1732 onwards and was abandoned in 1980 (private property). The main resource of the village of Humain may well have been agriculture; marble mining was nonetheless an equally important economic factor. The Saint-Hubert abbey managed the Saint-Martin quarry until Most of the marble was used to decorate the Saint-Hubert church and abbey. Drive through the village of Aye by following the main road towards Marche. You will cross the Place du Baty (Baty Square), covered in red pavement. On your right, at n 74, the mural fresco called A Mon les Godis created in 2000 by the artist Pierre Fromont is certainly worth a look. By the way, the Aye villagers are nicknamed the Godis. On the other side of the square, La dame d Aye (The Aye lady ), the work of Jean-Marc Bois, known as Siob, has pride of place. Further on, on your right hand side, between the Monument and the church, you can admire a succession of remarkable houses (see p 40). After the Aye church, cross the bridge over the railways and drive towards Marche on the right. At the crossroads after the hospital (careful: dangerous), turn right and continue until the roundabout where you need to take the fourth exit in order to get back to the Maison du Tourisme by following the Urban Boulevard. 64

65 The Secrets of the Stones The Secrets of the Stones 3 65

66 Eprave nte-anne Lessive Han-sur-Lesse Ambly Grune Humain Aye Bande Villers-sur-Lesse Hargimont avauxen-famenne Rochefort Nassogne Marche- Eprave nte-anne Lessive Han-sur-Lesse Ambly Grune Humain Aye Bande Villers-sur-Lesse Hargimont avaux- En-famenne Rochefort Nassogne Marcheen-Famenne Rochefort Nassogne Marche- Navaugle Chevetogne Fenffe Vignée Ver e Jamblinne Ave-et-Auffe Belvaux Lesterny Waha Hollogne Champlon Waillet Basses Havrenne Buissonville Serinchamps Charneux Roy Grimbiémont Môchamps Ciergnon Enhet Ronvaux Reux Conjoux Frandeux Briquemont Mont-Gauthier Forzee Hamerenne Jemelle Marloie Forrières Masbourg On Harsin Chavanne Wavreille Grupont Mormont Auffe Lignières Verdenne Marenne Haversin Hogne Genimont Hérock Hérock Navaugle Chevetogne Fenffe Vignée Ver e Jamblinne Ave-et-Auffe Belvaux Lesterny Waha Hollogne Champlon Waillet Basses Havrenne Buissonville Serinchamps Charneux Roy Grimbiémont Môchamps Ciergnon Enhet Ronvaux Reux Conjoux Frandeux Briquemont Mont-Gauthier Forzee Hamerenne Jemelle Marloie Forrières Masbourg On Harsin Chavanne Wavreille Grupont Mormont Auffe Lignières Verdenne Marenne Haversin Hogne Genimont N929 N918 N836 N803 N849 N849 N889 N896 N888 N889 N855 N929 N911 N94 N911 N949 N949 N86 N63 N63 N86 N86 N86 N86 N86 N4 N4 N4 N4 E46 E46 E411 E411 E411 E411 E46 66 ROMANA 4 km 90 (on the RAVeL)

67 A Matter of Taste Departure: Rue de Behogne, Rochefort NavSat coordinates: N E / N E Distance: 90 km (56 miles) The word gastronomy is not to be taken in lightly in an area that contains many tasty treasures (Rochefort Trappist, Blonde de Han and Saint-Monon beer, Rochefort cheeses, Baisers de Marche, Wasté, ) and many more locally sourced products. This cornucopia of delicacies is showcased during the many culinary walks and farmer s markets that are organised in Marche, Nassogne and Rochefort. With this tour we would like to take you on an appetizing journey of discovery so you can sample the flavoursome products produced by a small army of organic farmers, local artisan butchers and other traditional craftsmen all of them enthusiastic and passionate foodies. The tour starts from the Maison du Tourisme du Val de Lesse (Rochefort). The Saint-Remy Abbey s (which you ll be able to admire at the end of this tour) archives mention a beer brewing activity in the abbey as early as A long time ago, the barley and hops used for brewing the world famous Trappist beer were cultivated on the premises. The Rochefort Trappist (exists in 6, 8 and 10 ) has the highest alcohol content of the eight existing Trappist beers (6 of which are Belgian): the Chimay, Tilburg, Orval, Trappe (Netherlands), Mont-des-Cats (France), Westmalle and Westvleteren. It mainly owes its character and aroma to the quality of the abbey s spring water (Tridaine spring) and the yeast grown in the abbey. You can taste the Trappiste all over town! The Rochefort cheese, produced by the Mathot Company, and sold in the neighbouring shops, is linked to a rather interesting anecdote. Some years ago, an opinion poll was held on Rochefort s image and the people that participated in the poll tended to associate Rochefort with Trappist beer, the Comedy Festival but also with cheese while no such cheese existed! So that s how the Company had the idea of making the cheese, which benefited from avantgarde marketing! The Rochefort cheese exists in five different varieties: the Rochefort with Hazelnut, a semi-soft cheese ; A Matter of Taste 67

68 1 Our tip 1 The Gallo-Roman Archaeopark of Malagne houses the vestiges and life-size, faithful replicas of the buildings that once made up one of the largest villas in North Gaul (see p 55). Malagne also has a vegetable garden with more than 200 different vegetables as well as an aromatic and medicinal herb garden. The vegetables are grown by hand without the use of chemical fertilizers. Their signature beer, called la Malagne is traditionally brewed for Malagne by Pierre Jacobs from the Saint Monon brewery, based on a recipe created in Malagne. It s a double fermentation honey-flavoured brown beer. You can sample a glass of this luscious beer in the cafeteria. Gallo-Roman Archaeopark of Malagne Rue du Coirbois, Rochefort T: +32(0)84/ Open from April to early November. Please note that the opening hours and prices mentioned in this road-book are subject to change. We recommend you make enquiries before setting out! 68

69 the Rochefort Tradition, a semi-hard cheese born from a long monastic tradition has the particularity of being made with milk from Ardennes cows. The cheese is ripened in Rochefort ; the Rochefort with Ouessant seaweed, this little marvel has a high sodium, iron and vitamin content, and has anticoagulant and anticarcinogenic properties ; it also helps to prevent ulcers ; the Half-mature Rochefort : this cheese owes its recipe and appearance to a once-famous - but now virtually extinct - cheese from the North of France, namely the Pavé de Roubaix ; the Rochefort with basil is made with organically farmed milk and basil, and is quite a little treasure, one of Namur s many local delicacies. Leaving from the Maison du Tourisme, turn right and drive down the Rue de Behogne. Immediately after the bridge, turn right and drive towards Humain. A Matter of Taste 1 Our tip 1 After 1 km (0.6 mile), turn left at the Y-shaped intersection. A bit further on, you ll drive alongside the Lhoist quarry (see p 54). Drive carefully and be wary of the trucks; they have priority! Now you re on the Gerny plateau, a fertile plain whose name is thought to derive from the Latin word Germanica, a Latin word meaning granary, which explains why its also called the Famenne s granary. Bird lovers will be interested to know that this vast agricultural plateau is always teeming with migratory birds that have halted here on their way to sunnier climes. A Matter of Taste 4 69

70 After 2,6 km (1.6 miles), turn left, and at the next crossroads, go straight ahead. On your right stands a group of satellite dishes, which are used to study variations in solar activity This station for radio astronomy has 48 satellite dishes. At the Y-shaped intersection at the entrance to Humain, drive downwards on the right and after the church, turn left, and then turn right immediately towards Aye. At the threshold of the village of Aye, turn right, Rue du Vieux Marbre. At the next Y-shaped intersection, continue on the right, and then turn right again. You will drive alongside the Tavys Farm, where you can buy the succulent cheeses from the cheese dairy called Fromagerie du Plateau du Gerny. The cheese dairy produces a tasty selection of traditional products made with unpasteurized cow s milk: yoghurts, maquee (typical Belgian cheese with fresh paste made from cow s milk), hard cheese, soft cheese, cottage cheese, plain or with spices, with names evocative of the Famenne area : Tavys, Godis (the nickname of the Aye villagers) or even Gerny. Their cheeses have already won a Coq de Cristal award (a prestigious Walloon food award) at the Libramont agricultural fair as well as three gold and one silver medal at the Fromawall fair (the Walloon Region s cheese championship). With this level of public acclaim, the cheese dairy can look forward to a very bright future indeed Anne Walhin-Lecaillie - Rue de Tavys, Aye T: +32(0)84/ (0)499/ Viviane Maillen-Evrard - Rue devant le Bois, Aye T: +32(0)84/ (0)498/ info@leplateaudugerny.be - Direct sale on Fridays from to from Anne Walhin-Lecaillie and on Saturdays from to from Viviane Maillen-Evrard. 70

71 At the next crossroads, turn left towards the Château d Hassonville. At the next T-shaped crossroads, turn right. You will drive alongside the domain of the Château d Hassonville (hotel-restaurant). At the intersection with the N836 (careful: dangerous), turn left towards Marche and continue towards the Pirire roundabout. Take the third exit and then drive along the Urban Boulevard, and after the next roundabout, take the first on the right, Rue du Commerce. In the town centre, quite a few shops offer a selection of tasty traditional products: the succulent, sweet Wasté, Baisers de Marche, Pavés Marchois and the savoury Matoufè. The Wasté (registered Trademark) is a ring-shaped cake with raisins, which has been popular in the Marche area for centuries. No celebration is complete without a Wasté, served with or without Ardennes ham. Delhaye Bakery - Rue des Savoyards, Marche-en-Famenne T: +32(0)84/ Open from Monday to Saturday, from to 19.00, on Sundays and Bank Holidays from to and from to A Matter of Taste The Baiser de Marche (registered Trademark) is made out of two macaroons filled with an sumptuous layer of butter crème. As for the Pavés Marchois, they are delicious little symmetrical blocks of chocolate, encrusted either with finely chopped hazelnuts or with flaked almonds. Pâtisserie Remacle - Rue du Commerce, Marche-en-Famenne T: +32(0)84/ Open from Tuesday to Saturday from to 18.30, on Sundays from to Closed on Mondays. A Matter of Taste 4 71

72 Matoufè is a regional dish created and promoted by the Confrérie du Matoufè (a local gourmet guild). It s a hearty dish made with low fat salty bacon, eggs, milk and flour and served on a thick slice of country style bread, or in an oven-proof dish, either as a starter or as a main dish. You can taste Matoufé during the many festive events in which the guild takes part, namely during the anno 1900 Market, a hugely popular fête held on 15 August. You can also order Matoufé in the tearoom Saveurs d Ici et d Ailleurs (specialist shop selling traditional terroir products). Saveurs d Ici et d Ailleurs Rue du commerce, Marche-en-Famenne T: +32(0)84/ Open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from to 18.30, on Saturdays from to and on Sundays from to Cross the town and, at the end of the Rue du commerce (next to Randstad), turn right, Avenue de la Toison d Or. Continue for 2 km (1.2 miles) towards Rochefort/Marloie until the T-shaped crossroads, where you need to turn left. 200 metres (219 yards) after the intersection with the traffic lights, turn right towards the railway station, and then turn left immediately, Rue de la Spar. On your right, you can see the Distillerie des Ardennes (Ardennes distillery). This traditional liqueur factory, founded in 1894 by the Heinrich family, produces the famed and authentic Poire Cognac (Pear Cognac), as well other liqueurs, eaux-de-vie (type of brandy) and other fruit-based aperitifs and spirits packaged in rather unusual bottles. Distillerie des Ardennes - Rue de la Spar, Marloie T: +32(0)84/ Shop open on Wednesday from to

73 Continue straight ahead, and at the T-shaped intersection, turn left. At the next intersection, take the second on the right, Rue de l ancienne Poste. On your right hand side, you ll drive along the site of the Vieille Cense, an architectural ensemble listed in 1988 (see p 37). At the crossroads near the church, turn left. You arrive opposite artisan butcher and charcutier* Kesch-Doyen which is renowned for their Ardennes ham and saucisson (which has a label of authenticity). The artisan butcher perpetuates an age old tradition for the delight of even the most demanding of gourmets: meats naturally salted, cured or in brine, or even with Ardennes hardwood, a slow process during which the meat is impregnated with the succulent tastes, flavours and aromas that are typical of the area * Charcuterie is the art of salting, smoking, brining, or otherwise curing meats, most commonly pork. The term is also used to refer to delicatessens and stores which specialize in prepared meats. Butcher-charcuterie Kesch - Chaussée de Rochefort, Marloie T: +32(0)84/ boucheriekesch@hotmail.com - A Matter of Taste The shop is open from Tuesday to Saturday from to 18.30, on Sundays from to and on Mondays from to Butcher-charcuterie Kesch - Avenue de Ninove, Jemelle T: +32(0)84/ The shop is open from Tuesday to Saturday from to and from to Closed on Mondays and Sundays. A Matter of Taste 4 73

74 1 Our tip 2 Settled on the Wamme riverbanks, the Pisciculture artisanale de la Wamme (i.e. the traditional Wamme fish farm) raises and markets different species of trout (brown trout, rainbow trout, golden trout and brook trout). The fish farm is popular with gourmets and fishermen alike as you can buy either live trout or gutted fish, weighing anything from 200 g to 1 kg (0.4 to 2.2 lbs). Pisciculture de la Wamme - Alain Schonbrodt Rue Félix Lefèvre, Hargimont T : +32(0)84/ (0)476/ alain.schonbrodt@marche.be Direct sale by appointment. Guided visit only by appointment (French and English - 2 to 25 persons). Rates (when no purchases are made): 2,00 /pers. Near the fish farm, you can enjoy the neighbouring picnic area and discover the Hargipont footbridge over the Wamme. The Hargipont footbridge is the link between Marche and Nassogne walking trail networks. To reach the fish farm and the picnic area, turn left after the Hargimont church and continue straight ahead until the T-shaped intersection opposite the castle of Hassonville. Turn right and, 650 metres (711 yards) further, turn right again. To go back to the tour, go back on your tracks, and turn left after the church. 74

75 At the traffic lights, turn right towards Hargimont. At the crossroads at the bottom of the hill, continue straight ahead for 300 metres (328 yards) and take the first on the left (bridge) towards Ambly. On your right, near the edge of the road (near the bridge) the Verger d à côté (which means: the orchard next door) produces 100% natural fruit juices (pure apple juice, pear and apple, apple-strawberry ). A fruit pressing, pasteurization and bottling service are also available, both for individual buyers and groups: fruit from your orchard or garden turned into a delicious juice you can take home and enjoy! André and Christel Ska-Laffineur Rue de la Commanderie, Hargimont T: +32(0)497/ Bottling, pasteurization, and direct sale by appointment. 1 Our tip 2 A Matter of Taste Continue straight ahead for 5 km (3.1 miles). When you leave Hargimont, don t miss the magnificent view of the castle of Jemeppe on your left (see p 50). At the T-shaped crossroads at the Ambly village entrance, turn right, then turn left, Rue Principale. During this part of your journey you ll drive by the traditional Saint Monon brewery. When he started the brewery in 1996, Pierre Jacob was the youngest brewer in Wallonia. Since then, he has acquired quite a lot of experience... Last-born of a family of farmers, Pierre Jacob s drive and enthusiasm helped him bridge the gap between brewing beer as a A Matter of Taste 4 75

76 1 Our tip 3 The Inzofalle domain, nestling between two hills, houses a farm with roe deer, red deer (for breeding purposes) and deer calves. It stretches out over 44 hectares (109 acres) and 300 animals are organically raised on the farm premises. Hendrik Van Beuningen - Chemin d Inzès Fochales, Nassogne T: +32(0)84/ inzofalle@skynet.be - Group visits only by appointment (min. 8 and max. 50 pers.). Guided visits in French, Dutch, English and German. 76

77 hobby and brewing beer to make a living. The limited resources of the brewery s early days have been replaced by modern brewery equipment. This traditionally run brewery may be small, but is steadily becoming famous! The brewery produces among others three beers with three very distinct flavours, and named after the eponymous Saint Monon: an amber beer with lots of malt and hops (slightly bitter finish, 6,5%), a brown beer with deep, full flavours (great balance between sweet and sour, 7,5% alc.) and a honey beer which is stronger, spicier (which is softened by the added honey, 8% alc.). The beers are brewed traditionally and exclusively with natural ingredients. You can taste these flavoursome beers in the tavern adjoining the brewery. At appointed times and dates you can buy your beer from the brewery and get acquainted with the beer brewing process. Brasserie Saint-Monon - Pierre Jacob Rue Principale, Ambly T: +32(0)84/ info@saintmonon.be You can buy the beer here from to and from to 18.00, except on Sundays. The tavern is open on Saturdays. A Matter of Taste We suggest you park your car in the church car park for a while and set out on foot to discover a beautiful little neighbourhood. To do this, turn left in the Rue de la Prée, a couple of metres/yards after the church. The first house on the right, at n 2, is quite an eye-catcher. This impressive I-shaped limestone and sandstone farmhouse has a gable dated The mill, at n 1, dates from The Rue de la Prée boasts quite a few exquisitely renovated buildings. To name but one, the building at n 7 is an old farmhouse that dates from 1845 (see p 52). A Matter of Taste 4 77

78 Continue your journey, Rue Principale, until the crossroads with a main road at the village exit (careful: dangerous) and turn left towards Nassogne. Drive through the village of Nassogne via the main road, Rue de Lahaut, towards Champlon. Nassogne certainly has its fair share of farms where traditionally bred animals are turned into delicacies by dedicated artisans, using methods that show respect for the animals as well as for Mother Nature. Deer, free range pork grazing the Ardennes grasslands, goats, sheep and even bees. At the village entrance, you can buy Nassogne honey. Each year, the honey has a distinctly different taste as it its flavour is inextricably linked to the tastes and flavours of the four seasons. Some of the beehives are kept in woodland, which produces a rich flower honey, while the beehives that are kept on the fens give off a subtle aftertaste reminiscent of the heather that grows there. Etienne Debande - Rue de la Pépinette, Nassogne T: +32(0)475/ etienne@joseti.be Direct sale of honey by appointment. 1 Our tip 3 You will drive by the Magerotte artisan butcher shop, on your left, where various products from their free range Ardennes pigs (you can see them grazing a bit further on at the bottom of the valley) are on sale. The Ardennes meadows pig is a result of the crossbreeding between different ancient porcine species. Their free range pig farm is quite unique as it manages to combine traditional production methods with the knowhow of an artisan butcher. The pigs - a rustic species - are raised on healthy, natural diet, and produce a high quality and extremely flavoursome meat. 78

79 Butcher Artisans salaisonniers Magerotte entreprises Rue de Lahaut, Nassogne T: +32(0)84/ info@magerotte.be - The Butcher s is open from 09 to and from to Closed on Wednesdays and Sundays. Continue your journey and at the bottom of the valley, 500 metres (547 yards) after the meadows with the free-range Ardennes pigs, turn right towards the Château du Bois. Located in the very heart of the forest, the Château du Bois (i.e. the castle in the woods) is also worth a look. The pavilion was built in 1871 at the request of Prince Pierre Napoleon Bonaparte, nephew of the famous Emperor. That s why it is locally known as the Bonaparte Pavilion. A didactic panel near the site entrance will tell you more about the pavilion. Continue your journey through the forest for about 6.6 km (4.1 miles) (careful: please don t forget to close the gate at the bottom of the hill behind you!). At the Y-shaped crossroads after the gate, turn right, then right again at the T-shaped crossroads (careful: dangerous). A Matter of Taste On your left, the Domain of the Fourneau Saint Michel, which comprises the Museum of rural life in Wallonia, is an open-air museum that will take you on a journey into the past. The museum recreates rural life in Wallonia during the 19 th c. You can also visit the Museum of Iron and ancient Metalwork. In this enchanting setting, there also a few restaurants specializing in traditional, hearty dishes or local delicacies, as well as a few picnic areas and playgrounds scattered throughout the estate. Follow the N849 towards Masbourg. In Masbourg, near the bridge on your left, continue towards Lesterny. A Matter of Taste 4 79

80 1 Our tip 4 The Tavern-restaurant l Estaminet, is a certified Bistrot de Terroir ( this label designates a typical pub where traditional beers and dishes are served. Rue des Alliés, Forrières T: +32(0)84/ estaminetforrieres@gmail.com Open from till midnight. Closed on Mondays (except on Bank Holidays). L Mouchnî (which runs a beekeeping school in Tellin) sells honey, propolis, pollen, natural wax and other traditionally made products. Jacques Wiot - Rue Orsée, Forrières T: +32(0)84/ Direct sale by appointment. Laurent Antoine, artisan waffle maker, sells a tasty selection of traditionally made waffles: with sugar, apple and cinnamon, chocolate, chocolate and orange, white chocolate and raspberry, bacon, rhubarb (in season), as well as waffles filled with fruit and a selection of breads baked in a wood-fired oven. Les gaufres de Laurent- Rue des Alliés, Forrières T: +32(0)497/ gaufrelaurent@hotmail.com Direct sale by appointment. 80

81 The Masblette fish farm and fishery, on the road between Masbourg and Lesterny, has two species of trout for culinary or river restocking purposes: rainbow trout and brown trout. Pisciculture de la Masblette - G. Mignolet Rue de St-Hubert, Masbourg T: +32(0)84/ mignolet@piscimasblette.be Direct sale by appointment. The fishery is open from 15 March to 15 October from to The cafeteria is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from to 18.30, on Fridays and Saturdays from to Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (except by appointment). Cross the village of Lesterny via the main road. The Hérin farm, on your left, at n 26, Rue du Point d Arrêt, breeds organically farmed pigs and Salers cattle (a breed of cattle originally from the Massif Central in France). A Matter of Taste Didier and Arnaud Hérin - Rue du Point d Arrêt, Lesterny T: +32(0)478/ associationherin@hotmail.com You can buy meat packs from the farm (pork, beef, mutton, rabbit and chicken) on order. Drive by the church and continue your journey on the right towards Forrières. In Forrières, follow the directions to Rochefort. 1 Our tip 4 A Matter of Taste 4 81

82 At the Wavreille roundabout, follow the directions to Tellin. Continue straight ahead for 2.1 km (1.3 miles), then turn right towards Belvaux. In the past, the village was well-known for its snail farming industry (see p 42). Cross the Belvaux bridge and take the first on the right, then turn right again to get to Han-sur-Lesse. The village of Han-sur-Lesse is internationally renowned for its magnificent caves, that have been awarded 3 stars in the famous green Michelin guide, but is also home to a gourmet guild: the guild of the Blonde of Han beer and of the Hazelnut. You can sample the Blonde de Han beer in the village s pubs and restaurants. The beer finishes its fermentation process in the bottle following traditional beer brewing methods. The Blonde de Han beer has a 6,5 alcohol content and sometimes a slightly cloudy aspect. It has a lovely, deep, straw yellow colour and a light and delicate foamy head. It has a very subtle hop aroma, and a pronounced fruity aroma. The hazelnut grows in such abundance in the verdant valleys of Han and Rochefort that the Mathot Company (whose factory is in Rochefort) decided to create the Rochefort with hazelnuts cheese. This semi-soft cheese is great as a part of a cheese board, delicious in a cheese fondue or even to liven up a salad. Trappist and Blond of Han beer lovers will discover in this savoury cheese the perfect companion for these precious beverages. In Han-sur-Lesse, after the bridge over the Lesse, turn left towards Eprave. In Éprave, head towards Lessive. At the village entrance, on your right hand side, you can admire a beautifully restored watermill. Eprave houses the recently created Lesse brewery, a cooperative with a social purpose started in 2011 by a bunch of old friends that live in the area. The brewery produces La Cambrée, which recently won an award in the category amber beers with a moderate 82

83 alcohol content (6 to 8 ). The Cambrée is a dark ginger coloured beer. The beer is a bit cloudy and has thick and smooth head. It has a delicate smoky aroma, a sweet and sour flavour and a hint of bitterness in the aftertaste. The brewery also produces La Chinette, a blond beer with 6 alcohol content. The golden blond Chinette is slightly bitter, with a pleasant fruit aroma (citrus). Its name stems from the nickname that was given to the villagers of Buissonville in the early 20 th c.: the villagers loved to tease, which is why they were dubbed Chinards de Buissonville (Chiner is Walloon dialect for to tease ). Last but not least comes the Rouge-Croix; a brown beer with a 7,5 alcohol percentage. This high fermentation beer is fermented a second time in the bottle. You can taste the roasted aromas of malt and chocolate, as well a hint of Curacao. The beer is named after a Merovingian graveyard, la Rouge-Croix (i.e. red cross), in Eprave. The new owners took over the beer brewing facilities of the cult beer La Rochefortoise and have enjoyed success after success since they started! Brasserie de la Lesse Rue du Treux, 43b Éprave T: +32(0)84/ info@brasseriedelalesse.be You can visit the brewery by appointment and taste the beers in many local pubs and restaurants. A Matter of Taste In Lessive, take the first road on the right and continue for 3.2 km (2 miles). In Villers-sur-Lesse, turn right and leave the village via the main road. While driving by, admire the Château Jaune (Yellow Castle), which belongs to the Royal Donation (see p 43). When exiting the village, on your left hand side, you ll be able to enjoy a lovely view of the Royal Castle of Ciergnon (see p 61). A Matter of Taste 4 83

84 Note that 200 metres (219 yards) after driving over a small bridge, you will arrive at one of the many access points of the RAVeL foot- and cycle path that links Jemelle to Houyet. It s absolutely ideal for a lovely walk on a path that is dotted with wonderful spots for an al fresco picnic! After the small car park near the RAVeL, continue towards Ciney. 500 metres (547 yards) along the road, on your right, you can see the Jambjoûle Farm. Like many other farms in the Villers sur-lesse area, the farm belongs to the Royal Donation, which means it belongs to the Belgian state. This little cattle farm breeds dairy cows, pigs and rustic sheep using the natural techniques of organic farming. Quite a few of the farm s products are sold in their shop: raw milk, pressed cheese, cheese with a bloomy rind, yoghurt, maquee (typical Belgian cheese with fresh paste made from cow s milk), fresh cream, eggs, half- or whole lamb or pork boxes (only by prior order). Jambjoûle Farm - Valérie and Bernard Convié-Calicis Rue de Jambjoûle, Villers-sur-Lesse T: +32(0)84/ The farm shop is open on Wednesdays from to 18.30, on Fridays from to 18.30, on Saturdays from to or by appointment. Continue your journey and at the intersection with a main road (the entrance to the Royal Castle of Ciergnon is on your left), turn left, then turn right immediately towards the Domaine provincial de Chevetogne. After driving on this very scenic road for approximately 6 km (3.7 miles), turn right at the intersection with a main road. On your left, you can see the entrance to the Provincial Park of Chevetogne. If you have the time, be sure to spend a day in this vast domain that stretches out over 550 hectares (1,359 acres), and offers fantastic playing grounds, thematic ornamental gardens, ponds, 84

85 an open-air swimming pool, miniature golf, waymarked walking trails as well as the Nature Extraordinary Museum. Continue your journey until the next major crossroads where you need to turn right towards Rochefort. After 2.2 km (1.4 miles), turn right and follow the road signs indicating Navaugle/Autrucherie du Doneu (Ostrich farm). The Doneu Ostrich Farm was created in 1997 and invites you to discover the world s biggest birds that are also among the fastest non-flying birds in the world. The farm sells a tasty and unusual selection of traditionally made products: fillet, smoked ostrich ham, ostrich steak, paté, stewing meat as well as saucisson made exclusively with ostrich meat. Autrucherie du Doneu - Lydia and Jacques Terwagne-Bruyaux Rue du Doneu, 5A Navaugle T: +32(0)495/ Open every day from Easter to 15 November, from to Closed on Mondays. Tickets: 5,00 (+ 1 free pancake/pers.) - children (- 3 years): free. A Matter of Taste Go back on your tracks, turn right towards Rochefort and continue for 5 km (3.1 miles). The Rochefort cheeses are produced here, in the industrial area at the town s entrance, by the Mathot Company. After the industrial area, turn left towards the Abbaye Saint-Rémy. The Cistercian abbey of Saint-Remy was founded in 1230 by the Lord of Rochefort, Gilles de Walcourt, and his wife Héluit de Faing, both fervent defenders of the church. The only monastery to have settled in the Famenne area, it was first occupied by nuns from Citeaux A Matter of Taste 4 85

86 1 Our tip 5 Butcher Libotte-Flahaux (saucisson with Rochefort Trappist, savoury tortes with Rochefort cheese, ) Rue de Behogne Rochefort T: +32(0)84/ (0)475/ blanquelibotte@hotmail.com Open from Monday to Thursday from to and from Friday to Sunday from to Butcher Au cochon d or ( The Golden Pig, official purveyors to the Belgian Royal family) Avenue d Alost, 1B Rochefort T/F: +32(0)84/ Open from Tuesday to Friday from to and from to 18.30, on Saturdays from to and on Sundays from till midday. 86

87 (France). In 1464, because of the extremely difficult soil conditions and the very harsh climate, the nuns were replaced by Cistercian monks from Félipré near Givet (France). In 1650, the abbey was destroyed and pillaged by the Lorraine troops in the service of Austria. Soon afterwards, the monks rebuilt the monastery; the turret near the main portal dates from that period. The restored church and monastery buildings were torn down during the French Revolution and, in 1797, the abbey s possessions were confiscated. A century later the Cistercian monks repossessed the building, which was subsequently elevated to the status of abbey in Go back on your tracks and turn left towards Rochefort. At the next crossroads, turn left towards the town centre. La Grusalle, a gooseberry liqueur (Grusalle is Walloon dialect for gooseberry) is another local delicacy proving that in Rochefort, past traditions are kept very much alive. A long time ago, on the third weekend of June, the Rochefort mothers celebrated the summer at the foot of the castle ruins, while the forefathers of the founders of the Grusalle guild would organize festivities celebrating the gooseberry. Nowadays, the tradition is perpetuated by the Confrérie de la Grusalle et de la Trappiste de Rochefort (the Gourmet Guild of the Grusalle and the Rochefort Trappist). The guild, which was founded in 1981, keeps these quaint and gastronomic traditions alive far beyond the city walls. The secret Grusalle recipe was created on 18 June 1982 by the guild, and is made with the very best gooseberries picked from rolling hillsides bearing evocative names like La Fayette, Lorette, Beauregard and bottled in la Golette. The liqueur, which is at its best when drunk chilled, is for sale from the delicatessen store Le Fin Bec (Cheesemonger certified Maison Fromagère ). A Matter of Taste Le Fin Bec Rue Jacquet, Rochefort T: +32(0)84/ aufinbec@hotmail.com Open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from to and from to 18.30, on Saturdays from to and on Sundays from to and from to Our tip 5 A Matter of Taste 4 87

88 1 Other traditional farmers and craftsmen G. Dublet, market gardener, offers a colourful selection of seasonal vegetables. Vert Denne - G. Dublet - Rue Noël 1944, Verdenne T: +32(0)499/ gauthier016@hotmail.com Direct sale on Wednesdays and Saturdays from to or by prior request. The Tourelles cheese dairy is a cooperative driven by the enthusiasm of five women and which offers a very tasty selection of unpasteurized cow s milk cheeses : hard and soft cheeses, plain or with herbs, yoghurts and dairy desserts. Annick Henrotin - Rue du Centre, Grune T: +32(0)84/ (0)494/ bogaertannik@hotmail.be Direct sale by appointment. Cheese hampers made to order. If necessary, they can put their raclette grills at your disposal for your parties and receptions. The Rob Farm, located on the road between Marche and Hotton sells a variety of fresh products from the farm: butter, maquée (with buttermilk, with raw milk, with mixed herbs, 4 seasons), milk, crème fraîche,... Eddy Rob - Chaussée de l Ourthe, Marche-en-Famenne T: +32(0)84/ (0)486/ Direct sale by appointment. Mr Grosjean, an organic market gardener, offers an unusual selection of traditional or half-forgotten vegetables: different varieties of zucchini and carrots, beetroot, potatoes, radishes, cabbages, as well as a selection of culinary herbs. Le Trusquin EFT - Mr Grosjean Rue de Bastogne, 36d Marche-en-Famenne T: +32(0)84/ (0)493/ marc.grosjean@trusquin.be 88 Direct sale by appointment.

89 Tourist Information Centres Maison du Tourisme du Pays de Marche & Nassogne asbl Royal Syndicat d Initiative de Marche-en-Famenne asbl Place de l Etang, Marche-en-Famenne T: +32(0)84/ infotourisme@marche.be Maison du Tourisme du Val de Lesse asbl Rue de Behogne, Rochefort T: +32(0)84/ info@valdelesse.be Open from Monday to Friday from to 17.30, weekends and bank holidays from to Closed on 01/01, 01/11 and 25/12. Open from Monday to Friday from to (18.00 in July and August), during weekends from to (May to October) and from to (November to April). Closed on 01/01, 02/01 and 25/12. Rochefort Marche Nassogne Syndicat d Initiative de Rochefort asbl Rue de Behogne, Rochefort T: +32(0)84/ infos@rochefort-tourisme.be Office Royal du Tourisme de Han-sur-Lesse Place Théo Lannoy Han-sur-Lesse T: +32(0)84/ han.tourisme@skynet.be Office Communal du Tourisme de l Entité de Nassogne Rue de Lahaut Nassogne T: +32(0)84/ tourisme.nassogne@skynet.be Open from Monday to Friday from to (18.00 in July and August), during weekends from to (May to October) and from to (November to April). Closed on 01/01, 02/01 and 25/12. Open from Monday to Sunday from to (January, February, November, December), from to (March), from to (April), from to (May, June, September, October) and from to (July and August). Open from Tuesday to Friday from to and from to 16.00, on Saturday from till and from to Closed on Sundays and Mondays. In July and August, open every day from till and from to

90 Walking maps, roadbooks, Explanatory booklet (FR/NL/EN): free. Road-book RoMaNa, discovery walks of character villages 9 pedestrian walks to discover 9 character villages throughout the areas of Rochefort, Marche and Nassogne. Panorama Route The Panorama Route is a 50 km (31 miles) circuit that will take you on a journey of discovery along the natural heritage of the area around Nassogne. Several information panels (French/Dutch) describe the landscape or recount the legends that are linked to the sites you will encounter your journey. You will also come across several rest areas (two of them are equipped with barbecues) where you can relax with family or friends. Explanatory booklet (FR/NL): 2,00. Walking map Rochefort council 30 waymarked walks Topographic map 1/ : 7,50. Walking map Rochefort town 7 waymarked walks Topographic map 1/ : 5,00. Walking map Village of Han-sur-Lesse 7 waymarked walks Topographic map 1/ : 5,00. Walking map Marche-en-Famenne council 20 waymarked walks Topographic map 1/ : 7,50. Walking map Nassogne council 23 waymarked walks Topographic map 1/ : 7, Walk through the heart of Marche-en-Famenne Walking trail +/- 5 km Explanatory booklet (FR/NL): 2,00. Walk through the heart of Waha Walking trail +/- 7 km Explanatory booklet (FR/NL): 2,00. Nassogne, typical village Walking trail +/- 7 km Explanatory booklet (FR/NL): 2,00.

91 Tourist brochure Val de Lesse Free guide available on request (FR/NL/EN/D). Tourist brochure Marche & Nassogne Free guide available on request (FR/NL/EN/D). 91

92 RoadBook DISCOVERY TOURS MAISON DU TOURISME DU VAL DE LESSE Rue de Behogne, Rochefort T: +32(0)84/ info@valdelesse.be NL BRUXELLES LIÈGE N63 NAMUR E411 E25 N4 DE FR LUX ARLON MAISON DU TOURISME de Marche & Nassogne Place de l Etang, Marche-en-Famenne T: +32(0)84/ infotourisme@marche.be This action is part of the LEADER initiative funded by the European Union and Wallonia with the support of the councils of Rochefort, Marche-en-Famenne and Nassogne. European Regional Development Fund: investing in our regions. With the support of the Commissariat Général au Tourisme ( -