Bousignies-sur-roc, Nord, Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Take a breath of fresh air within the forest range of the Solre woods, with a magnificent view of the former quarries. The Solre woods are a range that primarily comprise oak stems, beech trees and hornbeams, not to mention the oldest tree in the forest: an oak that is more than 400 years old. Along this route, old Dutch boundary markers outline the borders between France and the Netherlands in 1819. Located within a forest range on the right-hand bank of the Thure river, areas of biological interest invite relaxation, with ponds and bodies of water in which no fewer than nine species of amphibian breed. 

The charming town of Beaumont and its Salamandre tower are famous for Napoleon’s visit to the region. From the top of the Salamandre tower, there is a magnificent view over the Hantes valley and the Beaumont countryside. At Merbes-le-Château, take a quiet stroll through the Labuissière nature reserve, where you must keep a low profile to watch large birds, frogs, insects and more. Not forgetting the Tarpans – charming, strong wild horses.

Created when the hamlet of Hantes and the village of Wihéries became one, Hantes-Wihéries is characterised by its limestone rubble. This itinerary immerses you in the heart of the Hantes valley. Stray away from the route for 200 metres and you will discover the Arcole bridge, which dates to the 19th century. You will pass the Grand Pré farm, which comprises a former mill and a main building that is dedicated to tourism and gastronomy. As you return to the village, spare some time for the cemetery, where French and German soldiers who died in 1914 during WWI have been laid to rest. Finally, admire the classic architecture of Château de Robaulx, the former residence of the lords of Hantes during the 17th century. The 18th-century Church of Saint-Rémi is home to statues of Saint-Roch and Sainte-Barbe. 

This itinerary begins at the foot of the fortified castle in Solre-sur-Sambre. Located at the meeting point of the Thure and Sambre rivers, the castle’s construction dates to the early 14th century. The castle defended the border. A testament to the Mediaeval military architecture of Hainaut, the castle has retained its quadrilateral design, with circular towers highlighting the four angles. The Thure river supplies the water for its moats. The Church of Saint-Médard stands proudly at the curve of the path that circles the castle and straddles the Thure. On the second Sunday in June, Saint-Médard accompanies the procession during the Entre-Sambre-et Meuse folk march. Once you reach the main road, pause before the bell tower farmhouse. It was erected in 1792 and its tower is a listed building. After crossing the fields bordering the woods, you can discover the Thure Abbey farmhouse, the last remaining vestige of an Augustinian canonesses’ abbey that was founded in the 13th century. 

Allow yourself to be seduced by the rural countryside of Labuissière on this route, which covers a little over 3,000 hectares. The drawbridge and its manual lock are sure to grab your attention. The gable of the white house at no. 2, Rue Max Buset, houses a statue of Saint Martin from 1828. The twists and turns of the Sambre river gently guide you to Fontaine Valmont and its church. Merbes-le-Château is home to large farms, which were once renowned for the quality of the workhorses bred there. The small chapel of Saint-Pierre was restored in 1842.

Located in Leugnies, a border village in the La Botte du Hainaut region in Beaumont, between the cities of Chimay and Thuin, the Gîte de Bonne Espérance is a charming holiday rental made from local stone. It has been converted from a former farmhouse building from the Abbey of Bonne-Espérance with environmentally friendly materials. As part of their environmentally friendly approach, the owners have opted for natural materials: slate, blue stone from Hainaut, clay walls, locally sourced oak, cork and thermofloc insulation, etc. The Gîte de Bonne Espérance boasts a wood and stone terrace, a wood-burning stove and a pretty private garden with flowers. Access to the vegetable and aromatic plant garden is available.

Visit Salamandre Tower, the dungeon of the old fort, as a family or among friends. Come and discover the city’s past with its history and regional craft museum. You will great Charles V and the three Auvergnats. You will meet Charles de Croÿ and his famous miniatures. You will relive Napoleon’s visit to this city and the life of the “Caraman-Chimays”. Not to mention the stunning view you will have from the top of the walls across the Beaumontois countryside.

Whether you’re a cyclist, walker, fisher or leisure-seeker, come and enjoy the Au Crapaud Charmant guest rooms. The rooms are spacious and very tastefully decorated. Their garden, which is bordered by the Sambre River, encourages you to relax or try your hand at fishing. Breakfast, which is made from local produce, is varied and vegan and vegetarian options are available. It will be served in the veranda, which overlooks the garden and the Sambre River, or under the pergola. Beautiful trails for walking, cycling or horseback riding are located nearby. Don’t forget the RAVeL network, which is located right across the way, and the Haute Sambre nature reserve, which is located one kilometre away from the establishment, as well as the GR129.

Whether you’re a cyclist, walker, fisher or leisure-seeker, come and enjoy the Au Crapaud Charmant guest rooms. The rooms are spacious and very tastefully decorated. Their garden, which is bordered by the Sambre River, encourages you to relax or try your hand at fishing. Breakfast, which is made from local produce, is varied and vegan and vegetarian options are available. It will be served in the veranda, which overlooks the garden and the Sambre River, or under the pergola. Beautiful trails for walking, cycling or horseback riding are located nearby. Don’t forget the RAVeL network, which is located right across the way, and the Haute Sambre nature reserve, which is located one kilometre away from the establishment, as well as the GR129.

Located in Merbes-le-Château, Le Pré en Bulles offers calm and relaxation in the heart of the countryside. This lodge is very cosy and is surrounded by a large garden and the owners’ cattle farm. The atmosphere is very welcoming and pleasant, with very tasteful décor. Their bubble bath guarantees relaxation. That's not to mention the spacious terrace, the garden with an unrestricted view and the possibility of enjoying the pool during good weather. Ideal for an intimate couples getaway or even a trip with family. Refreshments are available on-site thanks to their local farm products from regional artisans and producers.   

This charming rural lodge is very spacious and is located in the village of Solre-Saint-Géry in Beaumont. The owners of Vel’ Eau d’Heure will extend a warm welcome in their lovely house, which is dripping with character and boasts refined and contemporary décor. There is a lovely heated indoor pool and a very large garden with a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside. This lodge is particularly suitable for families or small groups that want to enjoy an active break in a verdant setting. Nature lovers will be fans of the beautiful marked pedestrian/cycle routes. Just a few kilometres away, the Eau d’Heure lakes offer recreational and sporting activities. 

The Gentleman's Retreat is a dependency of Ragnies castle in one of the prettiest villages of Wallonia. It is located at 30 minutes from Charleroi and Brussels South airport. Unique domain for relaxation with its private park and wellness space. Seminar or party room with bar which can welcome 70 persons.

Set off with Maya to discover the flora of the beautiful Beaumont countryside! On this walk, you’ll harvest the best wild plants and flowers to make your own massage oil and skin balm. At the beginning of the workshop, our enthusiastic artisan will explain how to pick plants ethically and safely. You’ll also learn about the unique properties of the plants you’ve chosen and their many benefits. After picking the plants, you’ll head to the cosmetics workshop to make your own products using natural, skin-friendly ingredients. At the end of the activity, you’ll leave with your creations, plant identification cards and a detailed recipe sheet so you can continue the experience at home.   

At Beaumont, a Mediaeval town, Salamandre Tower, rising proudly above the small village bears witness to its rich past. Walk through the paved alleyways and climb the many steps to reach the top of the tower and discover the fantastic views over the valley of Hantes, the ramparts and listed buildings. The audioguided tour will recount testimonies of this local heritage with evidence that can still be seen today. The tour is in four languages (FR, NL, EN and DE), with an adult version and another guide that is more appealing to children. There are two options possible: an urban circuit of around 1.6km which takes 1 hour 30 mins, with an additional loop of 1 km along our ramparts. You can get the audioguides from the Beaumont Tourist Office.

Visit Salamandre Tower, the dungeon of the old fort, as a family or among friends. Come and discover the city’s past with its history and regional craft museum. You will great Charles V and the three Auvergnats. You will meet Charles de Croÿ and his famous miniatures. You will relive Napoleon’s visit to this city and the life of the “Caraman-Chimays”. Not to mention the stunning view you will have from the top of the walls across the Beaumontois countryside.

Located in Leugnies, within Beaumont, the owner of ÂnimanimÔ promises you a wonderful experience with her donkeys. On the guided walks, you will meet Le Trio d’Enfer (The Infernal Trio): Ernest, Pompom and Cadichon. Whether it’s for a simple family outing or a birthday celebration, you’ll enjoy moving slowly and responsibly while taking in landscapes that are often inaccessible to motorised vehicles. What’s more, the walk fosters respect for local flora and fauna and promotes environmental and community values. And above all, it’s about discovering this loyal and endearing animal! And at the same time, restoring the donkey to its rightful place. Activities available on request: children’s days such as birthdays, themed days, corporate events, etc.

Napoleon and his troops spent the night of the 14th to the 15th of June 1815 in Beaumont. The soldiers set up their camp at the foot of the Salamander Tower, which was built in the 11th century. It now houses a small local history museum including a room dedicated to Napoleon’s passage. The Emperor stayed nearby in the mansion of Maurice Gabriel Joseph Riquet de Caraman, the Prince of Chimay. A plaque on the façade of the building reminds us of this event (Grand Place 12). Tour Salamandre • Rue de la Poterne • 6500 Beaumont visitwallonia.com/en-gb/content/tour-salamandre?cookie_lang=en-gb

Property of Princes de Merode for more than 250 years chateaudesolresursambre.hautetfort.com/

Tools from trades that disappeared long ago such as clogmaker, wheelwright, pit sawyer, etc. lie next to the strangest household utensils, our army’s smart uniform, our grandmothers’ lace, cameras, toys, typewriters that have recently been replaced by computers, etc. This museum bears witness to the life of our grandparents and great grandparents. You will discover rare and curious things there such as “Bruneau’s mask”, that was used to kill horses, the ultraviolet treatment kit for rheumatics, etc.

With a surface area of 15 Ha, the Labuissière Nature Reserve is part of a vaster domain: the Haute-Sambre Nature Reserve, lying at the confluence of the Thure, the Hantes and the Sambre rivers which extends over 75 Ha. It has lakes, gulleys and rivers. It is the site of one of the last marshes that lay in succession in the valley. It has three main sites extending on the right and left banks of the Sambre river from Solre-sur-Sambre to Labuissière. You can observe a few large birds such as the grey heron, the great egret and the great cormorant and see tarpans, wild horses which are a precious help in fighting reforestation. The Labuissière site, which is the only one accessible to the public, offers viewpoints and an observatory over the reserve. 

The Labuissière nature reserve, South West of Charleroi, stretches over 50 hectares. and features and ictredible mosaic of wet lands. It is managed in the eco-friendliest way, with 3 horses from the Camargue, 10 Tarpans and a Shetland poney. This marshy area is home to countless nesting and migrating birds, among which: Grey herons Kingfishers Common snipes walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/produit/attractions/activites/nature-reserve/natural-space/nature-reserve/9383

The battle of Charleroi came to its most bloody conclusion in Montignies-saint-Christophe the 24 august 1914. Facing the French infranty, the German artillery pounded the village and its surroundings for more than 10 hours. With it large "pelouse d'honneur" for the soldiers of 1914-18, the cemetery also contains the tombs of 66 English, 4 French and 11 German solfiers.There are no names on the tombs of the German soldiers or the date they fell; only the words "ein deutscher soldat". Recognised as an English military cemetery, it has guestbook for visitors to write a message.

With exotic origins, Vincent and Ling prepare refined, high-quality cuisine. A place of well-being with a friendly family atmosphere, "Le Pré en Bulles" offers innovative cuisine mixing Chinese culture and local produce, mainly from their farm. In good weather, the setting is very pleasant and quiet with the large sun terrace, the view of the lush nature and the playground for children. Ideal for complete relaxation in the countryside.

Housed in the former barn of a farm, Grange de la Courte is a restaurant focusing on local cuisine. It offers quality produce from the farm or neighbouring holdings. Each table resembles a traditional farm table, overflowing with tasty dishes and intended to facilitate moments of joy. Grills, ratas, casseroles, fish, gourmet desserts, etc. A south-facing terrace, children's playground and proximity to farm animals.

Restaurant, café and terrace in the heart of Ferme de la Cour, which adjoins the Biercée Distillery. Ideal for a gourmet break and spirit tasting in a remarkable site along the Route Napoléon. www.lagrangedeslegendes.be/

This brasserie-restaurant, which is located adjacent to Distillerie de Biercée and in the magnificent Ferme de la Cour, serves typical Belgian cuisine. Don't forget its artisanal alcohols and beers, which are made from fresh fruit. This incredible vaulted setting houses an exceptional collection of old enamelled drinking plaques. The history of Belgian advertising in the last century is illustrated here, adding a charming vintage touch that enthusiasts will enjoy. A very pretty outdoor terrace has games for kids. 

The Le Court Tournant friterie offers delicious “home-made” dishes for all ages, with a wide range of à la carte dishes, dishes of the day, drinks and desserts. Everything is prepared on the same day with high-quality ingredients. This family establishment boasts beautiful facilities in a refined cottage setting. When the weather is good, they open their wooden terrace and children can play in their playground.

In Lobbes, in the heart of the peaceful countryside, this restaurant offers French brasserie-style cuisine at an attractive price. The setting is modern with a nice view of the gardens and the pond and a superb 52-seat suspended terrace. They offer dishes of the day, various set menus, business lunches, seasonal menus, etc. This includes ultra-fresh ground beef tartare, grilled swordfish steak seasoned with herbal oil and foie gras. The menu is updated every season. There are set menus adapted to your needs: banquet, communion, marriage, birthday, etc.

Located within the verdant and majestic Aulne Abbey, the Aulne Abbey brewery and tavern offers a bucolic and relaxing setting. It boasts a charming ambience, thanks to its pretty 18th-century façade, grey stone columns and brick vaults. Enjoy snacks made from local produce, and sample the essential sausages with beer and farmhouse cheese with delicious bread from the abbey. Don’t forget the famous abbey beers: 8º ADA Rouge, a tasty brown beer with hints of cherry, 7 Chéries, a white beer from Charleroi, Tropicale and more. You can eat and/or enjoy a drink in the garden, which boasts a stunning view over the abbey.

Close to the Eau d’Heure lakes, Auberge du Coin offers varied gourmet cuisine: a small restaurant, traditional dishes, hearty dishes, etc. Everything is designed for your enjoyment. Recently purchased by Mariane and Ronny who love the region. The couple will be happy to welcome you in a friendly atmosphere. They're passionate about the restaurant business and will delight your taste buds with their cooking and give you a heart-warming welcome. The two are originally from Charleroi and you will be able to taste the beer of the Pays Noir brewery as well as the beers of Chimay or the Brasserie des Fagnes. With a real mingling of flavours, it is also a good place for meeting the locals.

Located in Leugnies, a border village in the La Botte du Hainaut region in Beaumont, between the cities of Chimay and Thuin, the Gîte de Bonne Espérance is a charming holiday rental made from local stone. It has been converted from a former farmhouse building from the Abbey of Bonne-Espérance with environmentally friendly materials. As part of their environmentally friendly approach, the owners have opted for natural materials: slate, blue stone from Hainaut, clay walls, locally sourced oak, cork and thermofloc insulation, etc. The Gîte de Bonne Espérance boasts a wood and stone terrace, a wood-burning stove and a pretty private garden with flowers. Access to the vegetable and aromatic plant garden is available.

This charming B&B, awarded 3 épis for its quality, is located in Labuissière, a little village in the entity of Merbes-le-Château. The house, by the river, is a pure invite to relax... walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/au-crapaud-charmant-bb-labuissiere

Whether you’re a cyclist, walker, fisher or leisure-seeker, come and enjoy the Au Crapaud Charmant guest rooms. The rooms are spacious and very tastefully decorated. Their garden, which is bordered by the Sambre River, encourages you to relax or try your hand at fishing. Breakfast, which is made from local produce, is varied and vegan and vegetarian options are available. It will be served in the veranda, which overlooks the garden and the Sambre River, or under the pergola. Beautiful trails for walking, cycling or horseback riding are located nearby. Don’t forget the RAVeL network, which is located right across the way, and the Haute Sambre nature reserve, which is located one kilometre away from the establishment, as well as the GR129.

Whether you’re a cyclist, walker, fisher or leisure-seeker, come and enjoy the Au Crapaud Charmant guest rooms. The rooms are spacious and very tastefully decorated. Their garden, which is bordered by the Sambre River, encourages you to relax or try your hand at fishing. Breakfast, which is made from local produce, is varied and vegan and vegetarian options are available. It will be served in the veranda, which overlooks the garden and the Sambre River, or under the pergola. Beautiful trails for walking, cycling or horseback riding are located nearby. Don’t forget the RAVeL network, which is located right across the way, and the Haute Sambre nature reserve, which is located one kilometre away from the establishment, as well as the GR129.

Located in Merbes-le-Château, Le Pré en Bulles offers calm and relaxation in the heart of the countryside. This lodge is very cosy and is surrounded by a large garden and the owners’ cattle farm. The atmosphere is very welcoming and pleasant, with very tasteful décor. Their bubble bath guarantees relaxation. That's not to mention the spacious terrace, the garden with an unrestricted view and the possibility of enjoying the pool during good weather. Ideal for an intimate couples getaway or even a trip with family. Refreshments are available on-site thanks to their local farm products from regional artisans and producers.