FAQ

The Semois Valley National Park has set itself two major objectives: to preserve the nature and heritage of the 29,000 hectares of the area, and to promote them by developing sustainable tourism.

A national park differs from a nature reserve, which is defined as a nature protection tool that allows exceptional targeted areas to be placed under protected status.

It also differs from a nature park. Unlike a national park, a nature park also includes towns and villages, as well as economic and built-up areas. As for its actions, they are aimed at the sustainable development of human activities in relation to resources and the living environment. A Nature Park can therefore include a National Park and nature reserves within its boundaries.

The Vallée de la Semois is unique in that it nestles in the heart of two areas already recognised as Nature Parks and active over larger areas: the Southern Ardennes and Gaume Nature Parks. These will continue their activities in the future, and are a definite force for the development of the National Park, if only through the pooling of existing strengths and expertise.

As a general rule, access to the territory of the National Park remains free and accessible to human activity.

The National Park does not impose any new legal or regulatory constraints, other than those already in place in the Walloon Region (e.g. Nature Conservation Act, Forestry Code, hunting legislation, etc.).

Each owner or manager remains free to opt, on a voluntary basis, for certain additional restrictions, such as placing their plot of land in a strict reserve, for example, to ensure the natural regeneration of plants or the peace and quiet of animals.

Recognition as a Wallonia National Park confers a series of benefits on the area, its inhabitants and visitors.

Firstly, it provides additional human, technical and financial resources for the conservation, preservation, development and promotion of nature and biodiversity.

Secondly, this label will help to optimise the Semois Valley's tourism potential, both nationally and internationally. It will encourage the development and professionalisation of services and infrastructures for reception, accommodation and catering, educational activities and sustainable leisure activities. It will also help to improve residents' quality of life, modernise the sustainable transport network, encourage soft mobility and accessibility for people with special needs, stimulate local economic activity and create jobs.

Finally, it will help to develop scientific knowledge about this natural heritage, in favour of a more resilient natural environment (biodiversity, water, forests, climate, etc.).

Reconnecting with nature is increasingly sought after by visitors in search of authenticity and rejuvenation. These visitors are likely to bring socio-economic benefits to the area they visit, through the creation of hospitality and service activities and the development of appropriate infrastructures.

However, care must be taken to avoid the excesses of mass tourism (tourist pressure on certain areas, incivilities, rubbish, etc.).

The Semois Valley National Park project provides for the controlled management of tourist flows.

The Semois Valley National Park has a budget of just over €18 million, 80% of which is financed by the Walloon Recovery Plan, itself subsidised by European funds. The remaining 20% is provided by partners in the territorial coalition (including the municipalities and WWF-Belgium).

The CGT (Commissariat Général au Tourisme) has also granted a subsidy to the national park to develop sustainable tourism in the area.

The Semois Valley National Park is a charitable foundation with its own board of directors. The day-to-day management of the park and its activities is carried out by an executive committee and a coordinator. Around 40 project managers are responsible for carrying out the actions defined in the park's operational plan.

A scientific committee will also be set up to guide the work of the project managers, as will a citizen's committee to enable local residents to make their voices heard.

The actions to be taken to preserve nature and develop sustainable tourism in the National Park area have been defined thanks to the expertise of a group of professionals working in the two nature parks behind the project, as well as members of the territorial coalition and the general public.

The Semois Valley National Park is a fundamentally collaborative project, driven by local players and residents.

The operational plan for the Semois Valley National Park sets out 75 actions to be completed by 2026. Work has therefore begun and will continue until that date.

A master plan has also been drawn up to set out longer-term prospects. Other actions will be launched once the 2026 deadline has been reached.

The Semois Valley National Park is first and foremost a natural area that you can enjoy on foot, by bike, on horseback or in a canoe... The park will not be setting up any attractions based on heavy infrastructures that have too great an impact on nature. Instead, we are going to develop a network of guides and river guides who are ambassadors for the National Park, and whose high level of expertise will offer real added value to visitors.

In addition, a series of devices will be installed to enable everyone to observe nature and learn more about the area, while respecting the environment and local life.

The Semois Valley National Park is an open natural area (with the exception of certain integral reserves). There is therefore no entrance fee to pay for access to this exceptional area. However, a charge may be made for some of the activities offered by the park.