Castles, ancient village centres, small heritage, tobacco growing, tales and legends, etc. In the south of Belgium, the Semois Valley has a rich heritage that the National Park is working to preserve and showcase.
Preserving the landscape, cultural and built HERITAGE
Preserving, restoring and showcasing our LANDSCAPES
If there is one heritage feature for which the Semois Valley is famous, that is its landscapes. As well as the more iconic sites, which are known throughout Belgium, there are also magnificent views throughout the region that must be preserved.
Identifying and showcasing the VIEWPOINTS
Inventoriés en grande partie par l’asbl ADESA en 1992, les points de vue en milieu forestier qui donnent sur la Semois et ses villages doivent être entretenus, sous peine de se « refermer ». Des aménagements doivent aussi être mis en place ou restaurés.
Objectifs : inventorier les points de vue, en aménager au moins 8 et créer une route des points de vue.
Preserving, showcasing and maintaining the Semois ARCHEOLOGICAL sites
Dozens of archaeological sites are present in the Semois Valley region (fortresses, redoubts, watchtowers, sluice gates, etc.), evidence of the region's ancient occupation, up to Celtic times. Due to a lack of human and financial resources, many of these sites are deteriorating and require urgent restoration and protection.
Objectives: restore at least 2 archaeological sites, showcase at least 5 and maintain 20 on a regular basis.
Showcasing the landscapes at the PAYSALIA Landscape Interpretation Centre
Paysalia is a Landscape Interpretation Centre located in Florenville, one of the National Park gateways. Created in 2012, it will be updated and the content offered will be adapted to the Semois Valley as a whole.
Objectives: create an educational tool that is accessible to all, to raise awareness about the landscape features of the Semois Valley among tourists and local residents.
Recenser et valoriser le petit PATRIMOINE wallon
Washhouses, drinking troughs, fountains, mills, “potales”, tobacco drying sheds, etc. There are all evidence of the local history and traditions. However, this small heritage has not yet been fully inventoried, which is a necessary step in its showcasing.
Objectives: complete the inventory of small heritage in the National Park; create a travel diary and digital capsules based on this.
Safeguarding and showcasing the
CULTURAL heritage
Tales and legends are an integral part of the identity of the Semois. Dozens of popular stories, linked to specific places and fantastical characters such as the devil, “nutons”, fairies and witches, have been passed down from generation to generation. In addition, an entire heritage linked to ancient skills, such as tobacco growing, must also be preserved.
Promoting LITERATURE about the Semois
There are several hundred books on the Semois and many of them are little-known or forgotten. They contain information of interest to a wide audience.
Objectives: establish a strategy to promote literature linked to the Semois, create communication tools and dedicated events.
Highlighting and showcasing the tales and LEGENDS of the Semois
The Semois and its meanders have inspired many tales and legends, revolving around fantastical characters (the devil, “nutons”, fairies, Pépé Crochet (Father Hook, a water-dwelling bogeyman, etc.) and evoking the harsh life of the inhabitants in days gone by. These stories used to be shared during winter evenings, and the National Park's ambition is to revive this tradition.
Objectives: ensure that 1,000 people enjoy a cultural experience based on legends, places and stories linked to the Semois.
Restoring and showcasing the heritage linked to TOBACCO growing
Tobacco growing was introduced to the Semois region very early on (16th century), before making a strong comeback in the 19th and 20th centuries, with up to 550 hectares under cultivation between Dohan and Bohan. In decline since the 1950s, tobacco growing is still practised in the Valley, where the memory of this tradition remains strong.
Objectives: draw up an inventory of tobacco drying sheds in the region, to redeploy two tobacco drying sheds, create two soft mobility loops around the "Tobacco Route" with educational panels.