Travel back through 5,000 years of history, to the first half of the 3rd millennium BC. This is no mean feat! You’ll find yourself in Wéris, in the heart of Wallonia, wandering between dolmens and other menhirs.

The Megalithic Site of Wéris is a journey through time that begins in the House of Megaliths. Delve into the history and secrets of the dolmens and menhirs and the people who built them: the first agro-pastoralists of the Neolithic period. Something to whet your appetite before setting off to explore the site, which stretches over 8 km in length and is 300 m wide. It consists of two "covered alley" type dolmens, i.e. a megalithic monument in the form of a corridor covered with several stone slabs, and its associated menhirs, as well as six sites of groups of menhirs. All the structures are arranged in a parallel alignment.

Well-hidden secrets

We can feel your curiosity bubbling away... What do we know about the Wéris megaliths? According to research, these monuments - made from a local puddingstone - can be linked to the Seine-Oise-Marne civilisation, or to a later civilisation that originated in the Paris Basin. The Wéris site could also be the link between various cultural currents in European prehistory. Exciting, isn’t it? By far the most mysterious element is the meaning of these monuments. While we know that they relate to the position of the sun at the time of the equinoxes and solstices, there is little information to explain their precise purpose and meaning. Perhaps a taste of Dolmenius, an amber-coloured craft beer that is unique to Wéris, will help you to get to the bottom of it...

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A castle you’d think is sitting atop the water. A rustic setting. Chequerboard stones with nuances that vary according to the time and season. Charm and elegance. Italian-style gardens that invite a slow pace. Jehay Castle knows how to captivate visitors!

It’s hard not be impressed! With its moats that rise along a vast stretch of water, elegant alleys, pretty stone bridge, chequerboard stones and flowerbeds, you don’t know where to look first when you visit Jehay Castle. A perfect illustration of the Mosane Renaissance dating from the middle of the 16th century, it is of course listed as exceptional heritage of Wallonia. Its interior is just as refined. From the furniture to the tapestries and its paintings, silverware and ceramics, you’ll savour your visit to the castle. Note however that the inner rooms are currently inaccessible due to renovation. You can however observe the changes to the site with a virtual tour. Permanent exhibitions are also on view in its outbuildings.

Italian-style gardens

At the heart of its Italian-style pleasure gardens, you’ll see sculptures and water features before entering its vegetable garden dating from the 19th century that extends over no less than a hectare. All surrounded by a brick wall. It has been recently restored and old vegetable and aromatic plants are grown there. It also has an orangery and an orchard. Add many roses and pretty flowerbeds and you’ll have the ideal place for a well-deserved break...

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Wallonia still has lots of surprises in store. As proof: the splendid remains of the Moha feudal castle. A listed site, 130 metres long, sitting on a rocky outcrop, that recalls the glorious times of the Middle Ages.

Sitting on the rock massifs of Moha, at the confluence of the Mehaigne and Fosseroule rivers, Moha castle will not leave you indifferent. As you approach, you’ll be facing the impressive ramparts dating back to the 12th and 14th centuries. Huge stone walls give the impression of invincibility to the building. In Mediaeval times, this was a strategic location.  The counts of Moha and Dasbourd lived there in succession before the prince-bishops of Liège built a prison and control post at the entrance to the town of Huy to block merchants. The Hutois then used cunning to bring down the fortress and put an end to Moha’s reign in 1376. It was then not until 1889 that the ruins were bought by the Belgian government for their conservation.

A fun visit

The castle can be visited with a book of educational games that enable you to discover where the stones used to build the ramparts came from, as well as the tools used to cut them, etc. Another more physical activity this time for you and your children: the catapult, trebuchet and cannon test.  This takes place every Tuesday in the summer and requires booking. And for fearless fans of chivalry, storytellers regularly punctuate castle life with tales and legends.

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Founded in 1121 by Norbert de Gennep, founder of the Order of the Canons Regular of Prémontré, at the request of the counts of Namur, Floreffe Abbey does not go unnoticed in the landscape, with its tall buildings overlooking the Sambre valley.

You have an impression of immensity when you glimpse it. As a victim of the wars that have taken place over the centuries, Floreffe Abbey has often suffered enemy attacks. Floreffe was a strategic location to protect Namur for a long time and it wasn't until the 18^th century that peace became established there. This gave the abbots free reign to rebuild the buildings that are part of it today. They surround an elegant courtyard while its abbey church has an impressive length of 100 metres!

Abbey produce

To visit the abbey, there are two tours: a guided tour of the abbey and its annexes or a version dedicated to buildings, 17^th and 18^th century décors, as well as the Mediaeval parts of the complex. The latter requires booking. When you come, you'll also discover the windmill brewery, dating from 1250, the oldest industrial building in Namur Province. This is where you can taste the abbey’s produce, and discover regional craftsmanship.

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Are you looking for a place steeped in spirituality where serenity exudes from each stone? Then Maredsous Abbey is your dream destination. A natural setting, at the heart of Molignée valley, where the Benedictine monks perpetuate traditions, especially in terms of gastronomy.

With its neo-Gothic architectural style which is revealed through the many buildings - a church, a cloister, a monastery, a library and a few outbuildings - in its wooded environment, Maredsous Abbey breathes harmony. The abbey monks always welcome you there with authenticity, faithful to the values taught by Saint Benedict. Take advantage of your trip to visit this magical location, from the church to the monastery and its magnificent square cloister (50 metres on each side). Through its galleries surrounding a silent garden, where a fountain takes price of place, the monks move from one building to the other in total tranquillity. You can also take part - in silence - in the monks’ meals in the refectory bathed in natural light from its high windows.

Ancestral know-how

Maredsous Abbey is also famous for its delicious cheeses. At the heart of its cellars, the monks have developed their know-how since 1872 thanks to a microbial ecosystem that is perfect for cheese-making.  When you come, you’ll discover their history and evolution through time, as well as the secrets of transforming milk into curd and traditional cheese refining. And to finish on a high, you can taste them while enjoying the beauty of the stones around you...

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Here’s a fort that blends in with the stone so much that it’s hard to distinguish between them. This is Huy Fort. Proud and powerful, it sits regally on the heights, silently recalling past battles and the town’s history.

Built by the Dutch between 1818 and 1823 on the site of an old castle, which itself was built on the ruins of a fortified castle, Huy fort has never lost its stature. It doesn’t just seem large, it seems as huge as a cruise liner. From up there, the town spreads out, espousing the curve of the hills, offering a splendid panorama while the fort is punctuated by temporary exhibitions, events and shows that are organised on a regular basis. However, it’s above all the location’s dark past that gives it all its importance...

Duty of remembrance

Huy Fort was transformed into a detention camp by the German army from May 1940 to September 1944. In total, more than 7,000 prisoners were incarcerated there. You enter this prison from your first footsteps behind the enormous double door. A long, dark corridor and here you are walking through isolation cells, interrogation rooms and rudimentary washrooms, that tell you all about the living conditions of the prisoners and population under the Occupation. Then comes the testimony from survivors of this painful period through an audio-visual documentary. Powerful emotions make this museum of the resistance and concentration camps a place truly dedicated to the memory of the Second World War.

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Imagine: an elegant castle overlooking Hoyoux valley from a height of 60 metres. This enchanting setting is Modave Castle. Listed as major heritage of Wallonia, it takes you through its impressive buildings and splendid gardens.

Built in the Middle Ages, it has seen a succession of many owners: Maximilian Henry of Bavaria, Prince-Bishop of Liège, the Cardinal of Fürstenberg and the families of Montmorency, Lamarche and Braconier, as well as the Count of Marchin to whom we owe its current appearance with its classical façade. It finally became the property of the Compagnie Intercommunale Bruxelloise des Eaux (now Vivaqua) in 1941. When you come, you’ll set off to explore its many rooms (more than 25!) with an audio guide, moving from the ground floor to the first floor, then the basement. On the programme: sculpted wainscotting, tapestries, ornate ceiling, exquisite furniture, etc.

Extraordinary gardens

Outside, another spectacle awaits with its French-style landscaped gardens and restored terrace overlooking the valley. Walk along its alleys, breathing in the sweet perfume of the rose bushes that decorate the location. Don't hesitate to visit its old stables, converted into a picnic area, or to walk through along its signposted walks that unfold in the heart of the 450-hectare nature reserve. 

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You can't talk about Namur without mentioning its famous citadel! Proudly overlooking the city from a height of over 100 m, it certainly takes advantage of the landscape and the gentle music of the Meuse waters. From there, you follow an immersive guided tour with 3D animations, projections and sound effects.

The starting point is the old Terra Nova barracks. The screens and images tell you the story of the city from its beginnings to the present day. Then, why not take a seat on board the tourist train to travel around the ramparts and fortifications of this place steeped in history? During your visit, there’s a succession of views that leave you admiring the beauty of the valley and the city, including the one from the huge, famous tortoise sculpture by Jan Fabre. And if you're with children, a guided commentary has been specially designed for them. You just need to ask.

A land of adventures

Would you like to add a spot of fun to your visit? An exploratory walk awaits you every day and it’s free. Your eagle eyes will make out the photographic clues that will enable you to find the next destination on your journey. Unless you’d prefer to set off on your own to explore this vast land of adventures? For example, the recreational park Reine Fabiola with its play equipment and attractions: swings, balancing toys, slide tower, hanging bridge, mini-golf, giant chess and electric cars? And to end on this cheerful note, there’s nothing like a cable car ride to Maurice Servais square to then reach the pretty pedestrianised area of the city...

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From the height of its rock, Dinant Citadel overlooks the town from 100 m above, the ideal location for an incomparable panorama over the Meuse valley. But Dinant Citadel is also a place of history. Come on, let’s go up!

We climb up and up... But how would you choose to reach the citadel? By climbing its 408 steps? Or by climbing aboard its cable car? Whichever you choose, the spectacle will be stunning. And you can always try out the second option for the descent... Once you’re up there, you’ll travel back in time starting with the sacking of Dinant when Charles the Bold and the Burgundian troops destroyed the town. Then you'll come back to the major periods that have marked the history of this fortress until the First World War.

A space dedicated to remembrance

In August 1914, the Dinant region was to be at the heart of fighting between the French and German troops. During this tragic period 674 civilians were massacred. These events marked history, and the citadel dedicates a space to them with the recreation of a shelter destroyed by a bombing. It’s a visit full of emotion! After going back several centuries, a whole other atmosphere awaits you outside. From the top of the rock, the citadel offers an outstanding view over the region! And for the little ones, it’ll be time to take full advantage of the playground.

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On this site, at the heart of the Pays de Herve, lie thousands of American soldiers who fell during the second world war. A memorial lest we forget.

It’s a place of contemplation and remembrance. A place full of emotion. A place that inevitably makes you feel emotional when you arrive. Here lie the remains of 7,992 American soldiers who fell during winter 1944-1945. Soldiers who not only fought in Belgium, during the terrible Battle of the Bulge, but through France, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg. In this impressive 23-hectare necropolis, there are aisles filled with thousands of identical white crosses as far as the eye can see. Henri-Chapelle cemetery is one of the three American cemeteries in Belgium. Created in September 1944 by the First Infantry Division of the First American Army which liberated the site, the cemetery was completed in 1960 with a Memorial.

‘Part of our history’

The memorial, which overlooks the graves, has columns listing the 450 soldiers reported missing, as well as a chapel and a room that welcomes visitors. In here, you can see vast wall maps detailing the allied offensives in the re-taking of Europe, as well as information on the cemetery and an interactive video on the different aspects of war. Opposite the memorial, on the other side of the road, like a sign of light, a beautiful esplanade offers a magnificent viewpoint over the surrounding countryside, which used to be a battlefield. To visit this location is to pay homage to these thousands of men who gave their lives for peace. It's also delving into our history, so that the duty of memory endures.

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