Falaën (The ruins of the fortified castle of Montaigle )

The Molignée valley provided inspiration for the 19th-century romantics. And who can blame them, when you explore the area along the RAVeL path by bike or draisine. It’s charming!

À Falaën

A - The ruins of the fortified castle of Montaigle


Montaigle: a name straight from the Middle Ages. Standing on an abrupt, rocky spur overlooking the pretty Molignée valley, the Montaigle site is one of the loveliest examples of the medieval castle so dear to the Romantics. Unfortunately, it depended on the Dukes of Burgundy. It was destroyed by the troops of Henry II in 1554. It was never rebuilt, but nevertheless retains all its majesty.

Contact
Rue du Marteau,10
5522 Onhaye

Téléphone = 0032(0) 82 69 95 85 ou 0032(0) 478 06 30 68

Mail = info@chateau-fort-de-montaigle.be

Web : chateau-fort-de-montaigle.be

Did you know?

At the foot of the castle, you can take the famous Molignée draisine or railbike, a flat-bottomed wagon that can be pedalled to the old Maredsous railway station. A beautiful RAVeL runs alongside, a cycle path to Anhée abbey on the banks of the Meuse.

 

Walking

A walk leaving from Falaën, one of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages of Wallonia’, takes you to Montaigle. Going along the winding road that rises and dips through the Namur Condroz, the route enters the woods, following the Floyon stream. At the farm in Montaigle, the path bends and heads towards the powerful fortress.

Practical details
Distance: 8 km
Waymarking: green and white rectangle
Difficulty: easy
Time: 3 h
Start: Place de Falaën

To go further afield…

« Anhée » walking map

Exploring the village : www.beauxvillages.be

À Sosoye

B - The homeland of the « Montagnards »


The chalky mountain of Ranzinelle overlooking Sosoye is an anthem to pastoralism and the sun. Bare of forest, it is covered with dry fields of grass and astounding calcicolous and xerophile plants. At its feet, the village of Sosoye displays its pretty limestone façades, encircling the tithe barn and the 18th-century church.

Walking

The walk through the chalky fields of grass seeks to conquer this mountain! The reward is a magnificent beauty spot.

Practical details
Distance: 7 km
Waymarking: green and white rectangle
Difficulty: average
Time: 2.30 h
Start: place de Sosoye

To go further afield…

« Anhée » walking map.

Exploring the village :
www.meusemolignee.be
www.beauxvillages.be

Meet and savour


Beer and bread at Li Crochon

In days gone by, Li Crochon was the first and the last crust of bread, spread with cheese and warmed over a wood fire. This dish, now in modern form, has become a roll scooped out and filled with ham, cheese (Chertin from the Chertin cheese dairy farm in Falaën) and fresh cream, then warmed in the oven. This delicious speciality, like the simple dishes that are as old as the hills, can of course best be savoured with the Li Crochon cuvee, a good-quality brown or blonde beer made of pure malt and hops, fermented in the bottle and brewed in the Bocq region.

À Maredsous

C - Maredsous - The abbey


Maredsous Abbey has shone forth at the heart of the Molignée valley for 140 years. Its plan, inherited from that of the abbeys of Aulne and Villers-la-Ville, is impressive, giving an idea of what the abbeys were during the time of their splendour. Its position in the midst of the luxuriant pastures of the Namur plateau provided inspiration for the monks, who have been refining Maredsous cheese for over half a century.

However, it is not only gastronomy that brings international recognition to the neo-Gothic abbey. It is primarily as a religious and monastic institution that it has been manifesting itself for decades. The Bible, the research conducted through it, and its Saint Benedict College are the foundation of its religious and intellectual work.

Contact
Rue de Maredsous,11
5537 Anhée
Tel : 0032(0) 82 69 82 84
Web : http://www.maredsous.com


Did you know ?

By prohibiting the exportation of cereals to the Netherlands, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, forces farmers to turn to another source of proteins: milk. Milk being quickly perishable, it is transformed into cheese for storage.

Exploring the site: http://www.meusemolignee.be

Meet and savour


Meet and savour

At the Saint-Joseph Centre, visitors can taste the abbey’s traditional specialities: bread, cheese, beer and local produce.