Cycling route to Saintes, Tubize, Quenast and Rebecq

The Sainte-Renelde Church in Roman Païs houses the relics of the saint of the same name. Each year during Trinity weekend, these relics are carried along in a colourful procession escorted by some 200 horsemen and listed as a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage. A superb Gothic edifice in late Hainault style from the mid-16th century, this church has an astonishing massive tower in cut stone characterised by corner turrets. It houses the reliquary and relics of Sainte Renelde and has remarkable furnishings related to veneration of the patron saint: altarpiece and statue of the saint from the late 15th century, triumphal chariot, painted genealogical table, stained glass windows by Capronnier, etc. Sainte-Renelde Church in Tubize is still an important centre of pilgrimage, the high point of which is the Tour Sainte-Renelde at Trinity.

Were you aware of the legendary beneficial effects of the water contained in the Sainte-Renelde Well? Even though it blends in with the surrounding landscape of du Roman Païs, its resources are far from being insignificant! In the green countryside around Saintes, approximately 800 metres from the village church, is the Sainte-Renelde Well, the water from which is reputed to be miraculous in curing diseases of the skin and eyes. The Gothic coping is protected by enclosing walls going back to the 16th century, with a cast iron structure surmounted by the statue of the saint (19th century). Thanks to its therapeutic reputation, this fountain is still a very popular centre of pilgrimage.

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.