WB by bike - Hidden treasures in Hesbaye

This beautiful castle, built in 1764, was damaged in a fire in 2000 but was quickly restored to its original state.This private castle belongs to the Traux de Wardin family, direct descendants of Count Antoine de Glimes, the castle’s patron.It is only open to visitors on Heritage Days.

Mélin is one of Wallonia’s most beautiful villages. It is known for its Gobertange white stone from a local quarry. Due to its beauty and quality this material has been used by many architects to build grandiose monuments such as the Grand Place and the Hôtel de Ville in Brussels.

La Maison en Pierre welcomes you to the charming village of Saint Remy Geest in the heart of Brabant Hesbaye.This wonderful renovated farmhouse offers rooms that combine modernity and authenticity.

“Since December 2008, Aux Petits Oignons is the new residence of Stéphane Lefebvre, the well-known chef who made his name at L'Air du Temps and the Bistrot du Mail. A big fan of local produce, he prepares seasonal French cuisine. You can enjoy generous dishes at reasonable prices.Laetitia Haumont provides a hospitable welcome and every effort is made to provide an excellent experience for foodies looking for new discoveries. A place not to be missed!” 

Pastur Castle also goes by another name: Castle of the Count.This is because the castle was the residence of the Counts of Duras from the 11th century. At the time it was just a small fortification set on a rock flanked by the Gette river and Saint Jean stream.This location provided excellent natural defences.In the 15th century the castle had already become a kind of seigneurial farmhouse and underwent several developments during the early decades of the 16th century. In 1730 the count of Romrée commissioned transformations that gave the castle its current classical style. Stables were built (the current Barouche Room) with the walls and impressive double ogival windows, dating back to the Gothic era and lasting to this day, bearing testament to the building’s history.The castle has been listed as a historic monument since 1971 and takes its name from the notary Philippe Pastur who was the owner in the 19th century.For a time the castle was used as boarding for the school of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart and the management of a school. Today it houses Jodoigne town hall as well as the public library and toy library.

In the heart of the village of Autre-Eglise, in the east of Walloon Brabant, you will find the Koru Hotel and its private Spa.Whether you're a couple, a family or a group of friends, Bernadette and Stéphane will host you in their small establishment in a familial atmosphere,7 unique and spacious rooms whose themes and decorations revolve around travel, so you can escape during your stay!The restaurant room that opens onto the magnificent garden will be the setting for your breakfast and your meals around the table. The restaurant also welcomes, by reservation, guests who are not staying at the hotel.And to complete your stay in the countryside, you will enjoy a moment of pure bliss in the cosy, private wellness area. Let’s go for 1h30 of relaxation, sauna, hammam, relaxation area with infrared benches, jacuzzi and even a duo massage cabin to prolong your moment of zenitude.The small-scale hotel, far removed from the mass tourism, also has a meeting room, making it ideal for a business clientele.

A protected site on Wallonia’s exceptional heritage list, you cannot miss the impressive site of the old La Ramée Abbey. It is remarkably well preserved and serves as a reminder of the region’s farming architecture. Its spectacular barn (from 1722) is believed to be the biggest in the country! The exceptional size of this building, designed to store harvests, shows the extent of the land belonging to the ecclesiastical institution.La Ramée Abbey is today used to host events, receptions and seminars.It also has a fruiticum where more than 350 species of endangered plants are protected.The property is privately owned.

Belgium’s tallest Gallo-Roman tumulus has had protected heritage status since 1971. It stands at 15 metres tall with a diameter of 52 metres and dates back to the 2nd century. It was probably the tomb of a rich landowner and was placed along an important Roman road. In the past, communal festivals would have been celebrated on the peak and some events still take place today at its foot. For example, Gallo-Roman Days are held there at the end of May and feature many activities including a gladiator combat performance.

At the restaurant/oyster seller Chez Louis, you can enjoy oysters, shellfish, crab, seafood platters...This is local cuisine made with quality produce, genuine and traditional cuisine.The kitchen is open to the room, in good weather up to 75 diners can sit out on the flowery terrace, it is accessible for those with reduced mobility, there is a children’s menu, oysters to take away, a lunch menu from Tuesday to Friday, it is dog friendly and has a large car park.