UNESCO Global Geopark Famenne-Ardenne: Geotrail of Tellin

This long limestone, brick, and half-timbered building once belonged to the neighboring castle. On the east gable, a wooden waterwheel powered by a canal diverted from the Lesse drives a turbine generating around 18,000 kWh/year of green electricity. The south facade features a doorway dating from 1792 with Louis XVI-style wrought ironwork.

Built in the 16th century by the de Mérode family, this local limestone castle was expanded in the 18th century with a large square farmhouse. It has been heritage-listed since 1994, alongside the neighboring mill. From 1668 to 1861, the estate belonged to the d'Hoffschmidt family, whose most famous member, Edmond (1777–1861), became known as the "Hermit of Resteigne." A former Napoleonic officer turned mayor, this free spirit and follower of Rousseau chose to live as a philosophical, generous, and eccentric recluse. Today, the castle is privately owned and serves as an event venue.

Worked since at least 1777 (Ferraris map), this quarry provided stone for most of the village's houses before closing in 1981. This sunny, highly mineral site is home to rare flora and fauna, such as the Fringed Gentian and the Blue-winged Grasshopper. 385 million years ago, this area was a shallow tropical sea, which explains why the limestone is rich in marine fossils (corals, shells, crinoids). Safety and protection: As this is private property, only the lower level is accessible. Please keep your distance from the quarry walls. Collecting rocks and fossils is prohibited to protect this geoheritage.

This spectacular limestone peak with vertical strata towers over the Lesse valley. As it crossed the Calestienne, the river carved out a steep, narrow valley by cutting perpendicularly through the layers of limestone. Enjoy an exceptional panoramic view of the Lesse, with Resteigne upstream and Belvaux (along with the Boine massif) downstream!

The Herdal resurgence emerges at the base of a small rock face. Because its flow is highly variable, it can dry up during low-water periods. Take a moment to listen to the gentle murmur of the water. By carving into the rock, it has been patiently shaping the landscape for millennia, drop by drop.

In the heart of the village of Belvaux, discover this local heritage and its regional anecdotes. Located near Saint-Laurent Chapel, the traditional bread oven recalls the community life of the past when residents came together to bake their bread. Along the banks of the Lesse, the Caracolis sculptures created by artist Stéphane Renard pay tribute to the locals of Belvaux, nicknamed the "Caracolis" in reference to snail farming, which was widespread here in the 19th century.

As the only spring in the Bois de Niau forest massif, it has the unique distinction of not appearing on the IGN map. In the 19th century, the Hermit of Resteigne drew his drinking water here and named it the "Spring of Reveries." Today, it feeds a small pond and provides water for livestock. Emerging from the limestone, the water deposits minerals that petrify plant matter, creating a brown, crumbly rock known as travertine. Taking years to form, this process builds small natural dams. Please do not step on it to preserve this rare and fragile phenomenon.

Erected around 1842 at the request of the local hermit, this 1.04 m high limestone block from Resteigne stands above the spring that supplied his water. Carved like a lectern, it features a deistic quatrain engraved on top: "Thy temple is space, O infinite Power, Thy altars are the sky, the earth, and the seas, Let all of nature humble itself at thy feet, Receive the incense of the universe."

The Hermitage was built in the Bois de Niau forest by Edmond d’Hoffschmidt (born in 1777), a former Napoleonic officer who became a legendary local figure. Following a heartbreak during a military campaign, he retired here in solitude for nearly 15 years. On this dry limestone soil, he built a comfortable home complete with a cellar, garden, aviary, and a rockwork tower serving as a grotto and lookout. An enlightened mind, he studied philosophy and classical authors such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Byron. In 1830, he inherited the castle and became mayor of Resteigne—a generous man who enjoyed playing playful pranks on his fellow villagers. Having fallen into ruin at the end of the 19th century, the remains were recently restored by the non-profit organization "Les Amis de l’Ermite de Resteigne."

Classified as a Site of Great Biological Interest, this exceptional landscape features limestone grasslands, scrubland, and a magnificent juniper grove. Without human intervention, the forest would naturally reclaim the land; today, a flock of sheep grazes here to preserve the vegetation, continuing age-old agropastoral traditions. The rocky, heat-exposed soil—extremely dry in summer—supports rare plants (including numerous orchids and the common juniper) as well as threatened insects. Unlike the Bois de Niau, centuries of clearing, farming, and winter grass-burning by shepherds permanently prevented the forest from growing back.

A partner of the UNESCO Global Geopark Famenne-Ardenne, this 1688 watermill features a characterful 3-ears B&B (up to 4 beds) along the banks of the Lesse, in the heart of the Calestienne region. Guests enjoy a warm welcome with a garden along the millrace and a breakfast made with local products and homemade jams. Actively committed to eco-responsibility, the property generates its own green electricity via its waterwheel (approx. 18,000 kWh/year), uses 100% LED lighting, practices strict waste sorting, and offers an EV charging station. Passionate about their region for over 10 years, your hosts love sharing the hidden gems and secrets of the Calestienne with their visitors.

A partner of the UNESCO Global Geopark Famenne-Ardenne, this idyllic restaurant is situated along the banks of the Lesse, facing the fossil-bearing cliffs of the former quarry and just steps away from Resteigne Castle. The establishment serves homemade, seasonal cuisine highlighting fresh local products, including artisanal cold cuts, seasonal vegetables, and 100% Belgian fresh game. Committed to eco-friendly practices, the restaurant favors short supply chains, relies on 100% LED lighting and a high-performance gas boiler to reduce energy consumption, and maintains strict waste management practices.