Chaumont-Gistoux : In the traces of the past

A wine, tapas and cocktail bar with terrace in Chaumont-Gistoux!

The tarts of the charming village of Chaumont-Gistoux, at the heart of the Brabant Wallon region, are reputed throughout the world. Each tart is hand-made made using ancient recipes at the Chaumont-Gistoux workshop, lending the products their unique character.

This term suggests a ‘round valley’. It is a former sand quarry, used after World War 2. A junction on the Incourt-Courcelles byway along the valley meant sand could be loaded directly onto wagons. This is a municipal property and in 1970 the municipality opened a sports complex here named after André Docquier who was mayor of Chaumont-Gistoux from 1970 to 2000 and passed away in 2003.

This nature reserve includes some of the old ‘Riga’ lakes. It is not accessible to the public as it is dangerous due to a family of beavers deciding to set up home there. The beavers’ presence has significantly altered the original ecosystems. The meadow that can be seen from Rue du Pont des Brebis has turned into a marsh. It is possible to visit the site accompanied by a local forestry officer or authorised nature guide.

This former mill, also known as ‘Debienne’ was sometimes used as an oil mill and sometimes for flour. It was built in 1836-1837 by Marc Valériane, a former owner of the current town hall. The mill’s iron mechanism has been preserved.

This is a semi-circular artificial embankment, 700 metres long and 12 metres wide with a ditch in front. There is evidence of human habitation dating back to the Michelsberg period (+/- 2500 - 3000 BC) with fragments of flint pottery and pollen collected.

Bernard Schobbens was named 2022 Chocolatier of the Year by the Gault&Millau restaurant guide.

This understated neo-classical building was built in 1841 according to the plans of the architect A. Moreau. The brick building with slate roof features a tower topped with an octagonal spire, and a nave between aisles followed by a flat chevet choir under a large single-pitch roof.