Cycling route around Rebecq in Roman Païs

Take a trip back in time as you visit the Little Arenberg Mill which also features the House of Beer, completely renovated and modernised in 2020.You will learn more about the history and the processes for producing beer, including Gueuze beer, how the brewery has evolved from its origins up to modern day, the types of beers, products, etc. At the end of the tour you can sample a free draught beer at the Taverne d’Arenberg, very close to the museum.

Now converted into a cultural and tourism centre, the Mills of the Dukes of Arenberg were built in the late 14th century on the banks of the Senne. The main watermill today includes impressive machinery (powered by a paddle wheel 7.5m in diameter), the Porphyry Museum and temporary exhibitions. As well as talking about these paving stones known all over the world as ‘Belgian blocks’, we look back at the history of porphyry, the Quenast quarries and the hard labour of the ‘Cayoteux’, the name given to the quarry workers. Among other things you can learn about the different types of stone and the tools used at the time.

Quenast quarry is Europe’s largest open-pit quarry with an area of 140 hectares and is up to 125 metres deep in places. Porphyry, formed 435 million years ago from cooled magma, has been mined here since the 17th century. This is a very hard rock and was traditionally used to make the famous Belgian cobblestones. Today porphyry is used for ballast and gravel.

The little tourist train takes the steam railway line from Rebecq station to the former station in Rognon. It goes along the Senne in the beautiful Valley of Birds until reaching the Five Bridges. A unique experience to enjoy the beautiful view over the surrounding countryside.An original way to explore this western part of Walloon Brabant.