On the borders of France, Belgium is the ideal destination for an extended weekend. Cities such as Bruges, Brussels and Ghent are well known, but today Petit Futé invites you to get off the beaten track in Wallonia. To discover this region's rich heritage, you need to visit its many authentic villages. Here are our 10 favorites to visit without further ado!
1. Celles, history in the hills
Celles© Mark Rossignol
In the province of Namur, in the commune of Houyet, Celles is a real gem. Among its monuments of interest, the 11th-century collegiate church of Saint-Hadelin is one of the most beautiful early Romanesque churches in Belgium. On the heights of the village, you'll also find the hermitage of Saint-Hadelin, offering a splendid view of the surrounding area. A neo-Gothic Way of the Cross leads from the collegiate church.
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2. Crupet, along the river
Crupet© PBVW
Still in the province of Namur, Crupet is nestled in the wooded Condroz valley. Bordered by a river and streams, the village boasts a medieval keep set in the middle of a lake, as well as five ancient mills. The Grotte de Saint-Antoine de Padoue, also known as the Grotte du diable (Devil's Grotto) because of the statue on one of its facades, and the Eglise Saint-Martin form a heritage site listed by the Walloon Region.
Did you know? Wallonia is one of our Top 10 green destinations in Europe!
3. Laforêt, a green setting
Laforêt© PBVW
Laforêt is part of the commune of Vresse-sur-Semois, in the province of Namur. A charming village, it ishome tohouses and farms with typical Ardennes architecture, wide roofs and walls of schist quarried locally. Every year during the summer months, many walkers come to Laforêt to cross its famous Claies bridge, made of woven branches that enabled farmers and their livestock to reach Vresse-sur-Semois.
4. Limbourg, the medieval pearl
Limbourg© WBT - M. VanderLinden
Limbourg dominates Wallonia and the Vesdre valley from the top of its rocky spur, offering splendid views of the villages below. Once the capital of the Duchy of Limbourg, this village has retained its medieval atmosphere, thanks in particular to its 11th-century castle, St. George's church and Arvô, the former town hall. The latter features a model of Limbourg in 1632.
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5. Clermont-sur-Berwinne, a bucolic stopover and one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia
Clermont-sur-Berwinne© MT Pays de Herve
Located in the heart of the bocage, Clermont-sur-Berwinne is part of the commune of Thimister-Clermont, in the province of Liège. Built around its listed church, the village is a concentration of ancient architecture: Louis XIII, XIV and XV. A little further on, in the middle of nature, we discover the Crawhez castle and the Aguesse farm-castle, which take us along the former railway line 38, now a discovery trail.
6. Soiron, a green village
Soiron© PBVW
Surrounded by orchards and groves, Soiron is dominated by its monumental Saint-Roch church, rebuilt in the 18th century after an earthquake. The village's Mosan Renaissance architecture combines brick, sandstone and limestone in a picturesque atmosphere. An imposing building with 160 holes will catch your eye: it's a coal dryer testifying to the region's intense wool-making activity.
7. Chassepierre, artists' village
Chassepierre© Mark Rossignol
4 km from Florenville, in the province of Luxembourg, Chassepierre never ceases to inspire painters , thanks to its geographical position in a loop of the Semois river. Remarkable monuments include the Saint-Martin church with its Baroque tower and imposing presbytery. Every August, Chassepierre hosts the "Festival International des Arts de la Rue", one of the oldest in Europe and one of Belgium's "Festivals Musicaux Incontournables".
8. Wéris and its megalithic site: one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia
Wéris© WBT - J.P Remy
In the commune of Durbuy, in the province of Luxembourg, Wéris is famous for its imposing stones. The Devil's Bed, the Pierre Haina and the Pas-Bayard are all monoliths surrounded by local legends. The village is also home to a megalithic site unique in Wallonia, stretching over 7 km and 300 m in width. If not for its menhirs, Wéris is best visited for its undeniable rural charm and maze of narrow streets.
9. Torgny, the Belgian Provence
Torgny© PBVW
The landscape of Belgium's most southerly village stands in stark contrast to the usual Ardennes setting: here, houses are built of local blond limestone and vines are grown in a sunny microclimate, protected from northerly winds by the hills. With 3,000 vines and three vineyards, including a communal one, Le Poirier du loup, Torgny is an up-and-coming wine tourism destination. And don't miss its nature reserve.
And don't forget to check out our Top 11 wine-tourism destinations in France!
10. Aubechies, an open-air museum
Aubechies© C. Collet
TheAubechies archeosite is a veritable open-air museum retracing the various architectural changes from prehistory to the Roman conquest. These archaeological reconstructions are a must-see in Wallonia, and it would be a shame not to visit the village of Aubechies where they are located. This section of the commune of Beloeil is representative of the Hennuyère architecture of the last century: red tiles and bricks decorate the dwellings.
11. Visit Sohier, one of Wallonia's most beautiful villages
It's one of the most beautiful places in Luxembourg: Sohier, one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Wallonia, has preserved its typical built heritage. Situated between the Famenne and Ardenne rivers, Sohier stretches along a wide street lined with houses in an open landscape. The village boasts many heritage treasures, includingan old school, the Saint-Lambert church and an imposing castle. In spring, Sohier, which has also been awarded the "Plus Beau Village Fleuri" (Most Beautiful Village in Bloom) label, adorns its facades and flowerbeds with magnificent colors. An interpretive trail leads you through the village and its treasures with the help of educational panels, offering an enriching and picturesque experience.
12. Gros-Fays: a journey back in time
In the south of the province of Namur, Gros-Fays, one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Wallonia, charms with its schist buildings, such as the 16th-century castle-farm and the old mill. Perched on a hillside in the Semois valley, Gros-Fays is an authentic Ardennes village. It offerssuperb views over the Semois valley, and most of its buildings are made of schist from the quarries below, which were once mined. Among the village's treasures are the 16th-century château-farm, the church, the old brewery and the mill. The village's heritage features include tobacco drying sheds, a wash-house and watering troughs.
13. Soignies
In the heart of the province of Hainaut, Soignies harmoniously combines urban and rural aspects. Founded around a 7th-century abbey by Vincent (born Madelgaire), the town was also the birthplace of Jules Bordet, winner of the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1870. Soignies is home to a magnificent Romanesque collegiate church and several high-quality museums, well worth a visit. The surrounding area is also full of places of interest. Soignies is also famous for its Pierre Bleue, also known as "petit granit", extracted from the many surrounding quarries. Thanks to its Centre de la Pierre Bleue, Soignies enjoys an international reputation.
