Wallonia and the Ardennes
DIVE INTO
Wallonia
Facts about Wallonia
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Makes M4 assault rifles;
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Famous artist Rene Magritte were from there;
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Iconic actress Audrey Hepburn is “Wallonian”;
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A red rooster is the main symbol of Wallonia
Basic information
Wallonia is one of the three regions of Belgium, together with the Flemish Region, and the Brussels-Capital Region.The capital of Wallonia is Namur, and the most populous city is Liège. The largest groups of foreign residents are Italians, French, German, Moroccan, Spanish, etc. It counts for 55% of Belgium’s territory, which is in south of the country, but only holds a third of its population. This French speaking region and the Brussels-Capital Region for the French Community of Belgium. There are also less than 1% of the population in the East that speaks German. Wallonia is bordered with Flanders and the Netherlands in the North, France to the south and West, and Germany and Luxembourg to the East.
Wallonia used to be the second only to the United Kingdom during the industrial revolution, because its capitalising of coal and iron. However, The Flemish Region has exceeded Wallonia in wealth as the fact that the importance of heavy industry has greatly diminished after World War II. However, this forested countryside and once industrial powerhouse of francophone definitely offers you more than the historical side can provide you.
Villers Abbey​
The road trip can start from the Villers Abbey, where stands in ruin amidst of the hidden area in the plain sight of Wallonia’s countryside. This intriguing place took 70 years to be built and is now one of the most revered abbeys in the region because its height of operation in the 13th century.
The original facades persist the complex and massive of the buildings, with an impressive church and its high ceiling and arched corridors. There are 4 garden where the monks were believed to have worked. There are devices offered with modern technology to bring you back to what it would happen at that time. The dank underground prisons inspired a scene in Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables who frequented the abbey on several occasions. Nowadays, it is also reused as a perfect place for regular festivals and concerts
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How to get there:
It is 1.5 hours drive from Brussels, which also makes it a perfect day trip if you are in Brussels for a short weekend trip.
There are as well direct trains from Brussels to Ottigniis, then you may take S61 to reach Villers Abbey.
Opening hours:
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (or 5 p.m. from November to March)
Namur
Namur is the capital of the province of Wallonia. It is located at the head of the Ardennes, and stands at the confluence of the Samber and Meuse rivers. It has a distinctive 18th century cathedral dedicated to St Aubain and a belfry that are lived as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is the only academic Late Baroque cathedral in Belgium. Besides, another two most prominent sight is its citadel, which is now demilitarised and open to the public, and the Couvent de Soeurs de Notre-Dame. Together with all of the sights mentioned above, and with a casino located in its southern district on the left bank of the Meuse, Namur is definitely a popular tourist centre, which also bursted with funky bars, pretty cobbled lane ways, and lively events. For example, an Namurois custom is the annual Combat de l'Échasse d’Or (Fight for the Golden stilt), held on the third Sunday in September. Another big festival is the Namur International Festival of French-Speaking Film, an event that has been hold in Namur since 1986. Moreover, a jazz (Nam'in'Jazz) and a rock (Verdur Rock) festival both take place in Namur annually.
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How to get there:
Namur is well connected by public transpiration as it’s the capital of Wallonia region. Direct train takes around 1 hour to get there from Brussel-Centraal, 45 min from Liège, 30 min from Diant, and 1.5-2 hours with one transfer from Leuven. Besides, driving is also an option as free parking spots could be easily found along the streets.
Diant
Diant is 20 min from Namur. It is mostly famous from its obsession of Saxophone, as Adolf Sax was born here. A small free museum named La Maison de Monsieur Sax stores his mass soundtracks and a prototype of the original design. If you are a Saxophone person, it is definitely worthy to go and be surrounded by the Sax-only details sprinkling through the town, from the from the brightly decorated instruments that salute the way across the Meuse, to sax-shaped cookies in every bakery window. Another option is to take the cable to see the whole city from the pinnacle of rock which stands the best views across the valley.
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How to get there:
30 min away by train from Namur, but parking could be tricky. Just as other small towns, everything is within walking distance.
The Ardennes
The Ardennes is also known as the Ardennes Forest or Forest of the Ardennes. It is located primary in Belgium and Luxembourg, and touches upon Germany and France. Its most proper in Belgium is in the southeastern Wallonia. During the Battle of the Ardennes in the second World War, it was used by German troops to invade northern France and southern Belgium as this area was effectively all but undefended.
Stretching across four countries, the Ardennes nowadays is one of the most popular gateways for adventure lovers, exploring in its extensive forests, with its rough terrain and rolling hills.
If you happen to be there, make sure to invite yourself to follow one of the magical lush forest hiking routes to its most scenic parts. With a commanding seat above the Semois Valley, the medieval Chateau de Bouillon is easily the region's recognisable feature, of which the snaking curves enfold the city Bouillon. The Belvedere de Bouillon trail is designed for beginners or tos who do not want to wander too far. Otherwise, a 7km loop will lead you to pass the Abbaye Nortre-Dame de Clairefontaine. A 20km routine is also an option for those who are ambitious or professionals.
