Ambly - Balade pédestre - Roadbook Famenne-Ardenne

This neo-classical church was built between 1854 and 1855. The central altar has a revolving tabernacle and a painting from the second half of the 18th century represents the beheading of Saint-John the Baptist. Ambly sits astride the Famenne and the Ardennes, and its hilly landscapes offers visitors many magnificent panoramas. This charming village totals approximately 400 inhabitants. Numerous – exquisitely restored – 19th century stone farms are scattered throughout the village, as well as a few half-timbered houses. The village of Ambly was for a long time a bone of contention between the Duke of Luxemburg and the Bishop (also Prince) of Liège. The village remained a fiefdom of the County of Rochefort (and as such, part of Namur) until 1976, when the councils were merged.

The 1st house on the right, number 02 is quite an eye-catcher. This long limestone and sandstone farm has a gable dated 1749. The village elders still call it 'Maison Colle’ or the ‘Maison des bourgmestres’. The front door lock is decorated with the Napoleonic eagle, and is, like the rest of the neighbourhood doors, fitted with a door knocker.Rumour has it that during the Revolution, a priest was hidden in this house. The villagers also remember when the whole neighbourhood met at the bakery for the legendary ‘poiret’ (traditional, jam-like pear syrup) and vinegar making evenings. Nowadays, the house is for rent as a self-catering countryside cottage.A long time ago, between the Maison Colle and the brook, there was a building that was called ‘la salinerie’, where saltpetre (that was then sold in Dinant) was produced. On 30 April, 1862, a fire started in this house, killing a small ten year old girl and destroying 9 other houses.The mill, at number 1, dates from 1843 and used to be a sheep farm. Its 1969 buyer not only consolidated the banks of the brook, but also turned the farm into a mill.Among the other - comprehensively restored - buildings, you can admire number 07, and old farm from 1845.

Past the cemetery gates, you can spot the graves of eight members of the Royal Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force, whose plane crashed somewhere between Amby and Hargimont on 06 January 1945, gunned down by a German fighter plane.

The traditional ‘Saint-Monon Brewery’ produces 3 different beers: an amber beer (6.5 % alc.), a brown beer (7.5 % alc.) and a honey-flavoured beer. This family-run business, started in 1996 produces about 700Hl of beer per year. saintmonon.be/

Tip: if you would like to continue your walk with a walk through the country, follow the waymarking of the walk called ‘Derrière le bois’ (marking = green cross) that is about 4,4km or 2.7miles) long. This walking trail offers beautiful views of the woods and surrounding countryside.At the crossroads of two country lanes, you can see the Demanet cross, marking the spot where a crime was committed…You can read more about this misdeed on the didactic panel.

At number 2, you can see the old parsonage (which was converted into a family house), that is surrounded by low walls, it dates back to the second part of the 19th century. The King of Belgium, Albert II, stayed there quite a few times

Three brooks flow through Ambly : the ‘Ri de Fosse’ that circles the village, the ‘Ri de Warlet’ and ‘la Pépinette’. The ‘Ri de Warlet’ that takes it source in the place called ‘Inzès Fochales’, and flows into ‘la Pépinette’ to form the ‘Ri de Bonêfosse’.

Our top tip: on the village outskirts, in the Rue de Harsin, there is a Haflinger stud farm. You can visit the famr or (on appointement) enjoy a carraige ride through the surrounding countryside and woods. (Tel : +32(0)84/21.42.20).