Fortified castles, archaeological sites, vestiges of defensive structures, ancient fords, mills and tobacco drying sheds... The region covered by the Semois Valley National Park is dotted with tangible heritage of great interest, an integral part of Wallonia's heritage.
Discover a piece of
Wallonia's HERITAGE
The CASTLES of Bouillon and Herbeumont, outstanding heritage sites of Wallonia
The castles of Bouillon and Herbeumont are certainly among the best-known examples of tangible heritage to be found in the Semois Valley National Park. However, they are only a couple of the many defensive structures in the Semois Valley, some of which are very old.
BOUILLON Castle, one of the oldest vestiges of feudal rule in Belgium
Mentioned as early as the 10thcentury, Bouillon Castle is set on a rocky ridge encircled by a meander of the Semois. It underwent constant change until the 18th century, but today it remains one of the oldest and most interesting vestiges of feudalism in Belgium.
HERBEUMONT Castle, history and views
Perhaps less well-known than its illustrious neighbour, Herbeumont Castle is nonetheless remarkable in more ways than one. Erected in the 13thcentury at the top of a rocky ridge overlooking the village and the meanders of the Semois, Herbeumont Castle was burnt down and destroyed by French troops in 1657.
Its ruins have been restored over the years and today the castle is open to the public. As well as its history, it offers a remarkable view of the village of Herbeumont and the Semois.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
heritage linked to certain
trades and functions
Dans toute la vallée de la Semois, on trouve de nombreux sites archéologiques aujourd’hui peu visibles.
Throughout the Semois Valley, there are numerous archaeological sites that are not very visible today. There are dozens of them in the National Park, with a variety of functions: defensive structures, hermitages, cemeteries, industrial sites, etc.
Our built heritage also includes mills, churches, historic village centres, former slate quarry sites, tobacco drying sheds...
Small POPULAR heritage
In addition to the built heritage, the villages of the Semois Valley also have many small popular heritage features :
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Laundries
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Fountains
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Drinking troughs
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Chapels
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Crosses
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“Potales” (small niches holding a statue the Virgin Mary or Patron Saint)
The Semois Valley National Park is making an inventory of these various heritage features and is working to showcase certain sites.
The exceptional LANDSCAPE heritage of the Semois Valley
The Semois Valley is particularly well known for its many viewpoints, some of the most impressive in Belgium. While the viewpoint over Frahan and the Giant's Tomb have become iconic (and classified as outstanding heritage of Wallonia), there are many other sites worth a visit, from Gaume to the Ardennes.
One of the missions of the Semois Valley National Park is to better showcase these sites and allow everyone to discover them.
