Liaison (Chiny - Florenville - Chassepierre - Herbeumont - Cugnon )

À Chiny

A - Where a river flows Voir sur la carte

In Chiny, the Semois flows silver. For a hundred years, flat-bottomed boats have glided across the water between Chiny and Lacuisine. Eight kilometres along the untamed Semois: the lapping of the ferryman’s boat hook barely disrupts the silence. As you go down river, the ferryman will recount the legends that abound among the rocks and banks of this marvellous river.

Tip Voir sur la carte

You can return on foot through the magnificent Chiny forest. Allow four kilometres for this walk, following the yellow waymarking past the ‘Rocher du Hât’ overlooking the enchanted twists and turns.

Did you know? Voir sur la carte

In the Middle Ages, the Counts of Chiny were very powerful and reigned over the entire region: they built Orval Abbey! From the castle overlooking the Semois, grooms went down to the river to water the horses, along underground passages…

À Chiny

B - The ‘Roche du Corbeau’ Voir sur la carte

Walking. The ‘Roche du Corbeau’ or crow’s rock

Chiny is a truly delightful stage! This is one of the loveliest stretches of the Semois.

The ‘Roche du Corbeau’ walk is just the thing for a great day out with children. From the stone bridge, the path follows the Semois to the footbridge from where kayaks and small boats leave. Here you can stop to eat and drink before making your way back to the bridge, where a fine bathing area awaits you.

 

Practical details

Distance: 4 km

Waymarking: blue triangle

Difficulty: easy

Time: 2 hrs

Start: reach the banks of the Semois from the bridge across the river.

À Chiny

C - Meet and savour Voir sur la carte

Le Moulin Cambier

Friendliness tastes delightful in Chiny! Breathe, taste, savour... the lovely little regional dishes at the Moulin Cambier, with the ‘Bistrot de Terroir’ label. After this deliciously friendly moment, be captivated by the region and its lovely walks.

 

À Chiny

D - Reception and tourist information site:

Syndicat d'initiative de Chiny

rue du Millénaire, 6 - 6810 Chiny

Tél. : +32 (0)61/31.54.04

chiny-si@skynet.be

www.chinytourisme.eu

Open :

Summer : everyday except Wednesday and Sunday

Winter : variable schedule from Tuesday to Saturday

À Florenville

E - Church of Our Lady of the Assumption Voir sur la carte

Its belvedere and its bell tower with 48 bells are accessible if you climb 220 steps! It’s worth the effort, because the view from up there is truly outstanding.

À Florenville

F - The landscape interpretation centre Voir sur la carte

The beauty spot, seen from the Tourist Office, is an extraordinary book opening up onto the Gaume Lorraine. It provides the keys to unlock the region’s secrets and all its riches.

About the landscape interpretation centre

À Chameleux

G - Meet and savour Voir sur la carte

‘Le Chameleux’

The local bistro, ‘Le Chameleux’, lies in a green setting at the heart of the vast Orval forest. Its recipes have been passed down through four generations. The speciality of the house is trout, an absolute delight. And then there’s the famous vinaigrette, enhanced by the personal touch of the chef, who also holds the coveted Ambassadeur d’Orval label! Because every year, the Ambassadeur d’Orval is awarded by the famous abbey to the cafés and restaurants that best meet the criteria of Presence, Service and Creativity. Lying opposite a lake and the ruins of an old Gallo-Roman staging post on the Reims-Trèves road, built in 45 BC under the reign of the Emperor Claudius, ‘Le Chameleux’ has a spacious, peaceful, sunny terrace. It is also the starting point for several forest walks, as well as a short after-dinner stroll to the tiny, picturesque French village of Williers, perched on a spur barred by a wall, no doubt built in Celtic or Roman times. This village, with its single, widening street, is well worth a visit.

Walking Voir sur la carte

From the ‘bistrot de terroir’, enjoy an amazing walk in the great Gaume forest. Why not continue as far as Orval Abbey on foot, approaching this great church from a different angle.

 

Practical details

Distance: 11.5 km

Waymarking: blue diamond

Difficulty: average

Time: 3 hrs

Start: in the hamlet of Chameleux, start at the Gallo-Roman camp.

À Florenville

H - Les Chocolats d’Edouard Voir sur la carte

With a prior booking, it is possible to visit the chocolate-maker’s workshop and even spend time in his company and help him with his work.

À Florenville

I - Tourist reception site Voir sur la carte

La Maison du tourisme du Pays de la Semois entre Ardenne & Gaume

Esplanade du Panorama, 1 - 6820 Florenville

+32 (0)61/31.12.29

info@semois-tourisme.be

www.semois-tourisme.be

Open all year round

Low season : from 9am to 6pm (from 10am to 4 pm Sunday)

July ang August and Easter holidays : every day from 9am to 7pm and each Friday from April to October

Closed 25th December and 1st January

À Herbeumont

J - The ruins of Herbeumont castel Voir sur la carte

The quiet village of Herbeumont lies in the shadow cast by the ruins of a once powerful fortress: the imprint of its tumultuous past can still be felt. This superb region will prompt you to look out your thick boots!

Did you know?

In the 16th century, fortified castles had to be completely redesigned due to the advent of artillery. The fortress of Herbeumont was no exception. The ramparts were adapted to hold cannons and new towers were erected, but they proved no more than paper tigers. The artillery sent by Louis XIV soon got the better of the walls, no matter how powerful they were. The destiny of Herbeumont, like that of many other fortified castles, was sealed before its time. This period also witnessed the end of the feudal system. Henceforth, the towns took over. The law of the middle classes and the traders now held sway. Humanity was entering a new age…

À Herbeumont

K - Walking Voir sur la carte

The Knight’s Tomb

One day, Herbeumont is bathed in the lovely light of a summer evening. Capering about among the broad-leaved trees, the route suddenly reveals the panoramic view over Libaipire. In the distance, the Knight’s Tomb emerges, a headland encircled by the tight meanders of the Semois. A land of lords, watched over by the silhouette of the fortress of Herbeumont, blending into the landscape.

 

Practical details

Distance: 8 km

Waymarking: red triangle

Difficulty: average

Time: 3 hrs

Start: just after the Priory of Conques, follow the N 684 for 250 metres towards Sainte-Cécile. The path starts on the left.

Did you know?

Just this once, the hike begins by following the old railway line. A line built at a time when engineers where not scared off by difficulties due to the terrain. As can be seen by the impressive crossing over the viaduct whose seven arches span the Semois, 38 metres below.

À Herbeumont

L - The Priory of Conques Voir sur la carte

Standing alone in the midst of the forests of Herbeumont and Sainte-Cécile, the prior nestles in an old arm of the Semois: an idyllic spot chosen by the Cistercian monks of Orval to build a monastery. In the Middle Ages, the rugged terrain made it impossible to grow crops there. So the monks made use of the surrounding forest. The community lived in peace until 1795. Fleeing the revolutionaries, the monks owed their lives to the Semois which they forded to escape into the forest. After standing abandoned for over half a century, the priory is now a luxurious hostelry.

Walking Voir sur la carte

The ‘Vanne aux Moines’

The ‘Vanne aux Moines’ is one of those secret places that only hikers on foot are likely to discover…This dam was built by the Cistercian monks at the Priory of Conques, enabling them to make the most of the river teeming with fish.

Tip and access Voir sur la carte

At the end of the day, the sun lights up this corner. The shades of the river vary from blue to phosphorescent green. It’s like standing in front of an impressionist painting. From the crossroads with the route de Sainte-Cécile, follow the path down towards the Semois. You may well come across the local master, the wild boar…

 

Practical details

Distance: 7 km

Waymarking: green rectangle

Difficulty: average

Time: 3 hrs

Start: from the old railway station, go straight ahead. Cross the viaduct on foot and follow the waymarking signs in the car park on the right, as you leave the viaduct.

À Herbeumont

M - Air-Beumont Voir sur la carte

This European private pilot will take you to explore the region from above, starting from the aerodrome in Douzy (Sedan) or in Herbeumont and flying over the southern part of the province, the Semois valley, Gaume, etc. Come and discover the splendours of the Ardennes a different way...

À Herbeumont

N - Meet and savour Voir sur la carte

‘Au Randonneur’

It’s wonderful to warm up after an autumn walk by the wood fire in the local bistro, ‘Au Randonneur’! Brigitte and Georges serve regional produce. Some evenings, the bistro hosts private concerts or poetry readings for its guests. Because… you have to earn the Bistrot de Terroir! To obtain this label, the establishment has to fulfil a number of criteria, ranging from the welcome it offers to the tourist information provided and, of course, the quality of the local produce served. So after an exhilarating walk, ‘Au Randonneur’ is just the place to spend time in a wonderfully friendly atmosphere, savouring the specialities of the region. Don’t hesitate to question your hosts. True ambassadors of the region, they will be delighted to tell you about the local produce!

À Chassepierre

O - Walking

The Daviha tour along the Semois

Imagine a charming village bordered by peacefully flowing river. Welcome to Chassepierre!

The Daviha tour walk explores the area around the village. From Chassepierre, this route crosses a pretty bridge over the Semois. Here, you will not meet any traffic. It’s as if time stands still: so don’t hesitate to stop at one of the many picnic benches dotted along the walk and delve into your bag of cheese and sausage. Take your time: coming to Chassepierre is a chance to recharge your batteries. Every year, this village of artists hosts a street festival that is unique in Europe.

 

Practical details

Distance: 5 km

Waymarking: yellow diamond

Difficulty: easy

Time: 2 hr

Start: just after the centre of the village, towards Sainte-Cécile, cross the Semois bridge.

Did you know?

At the base of the church, a footbridge leads you to the Fairies’ Cave (Trou des Fées), the entrance to an underground landmark that is said to lead to Carignan in Meuse.

À Sainte-Cécile

P - Walking

The Muno RAVeL

Breathe in the smell of hay and wild flowers borne along by a warm breeze as you cycle along this lovely green path between Sainte-Cécile and Muno, a remote village at the gates of France.

The more daring among you may want to continue along the waymarked route towards Jamoigne, enjoying the narrow roads of Gaume, passing through Chassepierre, Florenville and Moyen.

 

Practical details

Distance: 8 km

Difficulty: easy

Time: 1 hr

Start: the RAVel starts in Sainte-Cécile, on the other side of the N 83.

 

À Cugnon

Q - Walking Voir sur la carte

The Mill and the trellis bridge

Walking in the Semois valley when spring comes is delightful! The banks of the river are scattered with thousands of flowers. On the way to the bridge lies the beautiful Mortehan mill: at dawn, its wheel still stirs the waters of the race. Down below, the Semois valley lazily criss-crosses a vast meadow, rich in the river’s alluvial deposits. With the beginnings of warm weather, we can cross the Semois ford on foot, once the only way for the people of the valley’s villages. In season, a trellis bridge is thrown across the water. On the other side, a delightful route ascends the slope. The forest is majestic, as are all the massifs that encircle the Semois.

 

Practical details

Distance: 9 km

Waymarking: walk No C1.

Difficulty: average

Time: 3 hrs

Start: from Cugnon, go towards Mortehan.

The walking map 'Auby - Cugnon - Mortehan - Bertrix - Herbeumont - Saint-Mard - Straimont' is available in the following tourist centers :

- Maison du tourisme du Pays de Bouillon

Tel: +32 (0) 61/46.52.11
Email : info@bouillon-tourisme.be

- Syndicat d'initiative de Bertrix-Semois

Tel: +32 (0) 61/41.43.92
Email : sibertrix@skynet.be

- Syndicat d'initiative de Bertrix-Semois

Tel: +32 (0) 61/41.24.40
Email : sicugnonx@skynet.be

- Syndicat d'initiative d'Herbeumont

Tel: +32 (0) 61/41.24.12
Email : rsih@skynet.be

À Cugnon

R - Reception and tourist information site : Voir sur la carte

À Mortehan

S - The Fairies’ Castle Voir sur la carte

Visitors enter the fortress along a corridor. The thick terrace walls command respect. In the Middle Ages, a keep 18 metres high and 13 metres wide dominated this highly strategic location. Encircled by the Munos and Monceux streams, these days it holds out the promise of a lovely walk…

From the fortress, a very pretty walk follows the course of the two streams. (Walking map on sale at the Tourist Office)

Access: The castle is on the Mortehan-Bertrix road.

À Mortehan

T - The old cemetery Voir sur la carte

It is sometimes difficult to describe the feelings aroused by sites like these. The old cemetery in Mortehan carries visitors into another world. The tombstones bewitch us in the early hours, when vapours rise from the Semois and pervade the area.

Access: The cemetery is hidden from the view of the living. At the little church, follow the road that goes down towards the river. The cemetery lies behind the shale houses.

À Florenville

U - Sainte-Hélène brewery Voir sur la carte

Sainte-Hélène is the name of a beer, but also of a street in the small village of Orsinfaing. This is where, working in an old barn, Eddy Pourtois tinkered around, adapting second-hand equipment to build his brewery! The man with golden fingers, advised by the brewer monks of Orval, manages to brew Gaumette, a white beer with an alcohol content of 5.2% and Sainte-Hélène, an amber beer with an alcohol content of 8.5%. He has won his wager. The traditional brewing methods are adopted to produce beers of character using noble ingredients: barley malt, hops, water and yeast. Having moved to Ethe, Eddy Pourtois continued his gustative research and in 2008 he launched a low-fermentation beer, a Pils! This was a first in the province of Luxembourg. The Sainte-Hélène beers are refermented in the bottle or in barrels, unfiltered and unpasteurised, guaranteeing a unique taste and smell!

Sainte-Hélène brewery is now located in Florenville.

More informations :

rue d'Arlon, 17B - 6820 Forenville

+32(0)61/46 45 43