Vieux-reng, Nord, Nord-Pas-de-Calais

A stone’s throw from the French border, enjoy this gem of the Haute Sambre and its magnificent rural landscapes, the Hantes and the Thure rivers, its woodlands and its rich and remarkable monuments. The Church of Saint-Georges, a semi-classical building with a Roman choir dating to the 12th century, contains beautifully distinctive features, such as the Bonne-Espérance coat of arms, a stone dated 1716, an image of Christ carved into oak, and more. The Erquelinnes military cemetery has a large memorial lawn for WWI soldiers, including 66 soldiers from England, 4 from France and 11 from Germany. At the end of the route, you will follow the Sambre river. A harbour basin is found right before the border. The ambiance of the pleasure boats waiting for their next outing invite you to unwind. 

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. 

The green lane leaving Mauberge quickly presents a series of industrial remains, rural landscapes and forests. The route sometimes takes you past peaceful lakes with the scent of Canada, sometimes past rivers that are ideal for photo opportunities or snack breaks! The extensive bocage landscape of Thiérache offers a peaceful environment with apple trees, hawthorn hedges and the gentle murmur of rivers. Against the backdrop of the green bocage landscape, the capricious Oise gradually appears. Beautiful fortified churches give way to grasslands. You arrive in Guise with its famous Familistère Godin and fortified castle.  

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. 

Located at the edge of the rural village of Grand-Reng, this charming old residence, which has been converted into guest rooms, will surprise you with the whimsy and creativity of its facilities. Enjoy the inviting interior of this manor home, the open fireplace during bad weather, the library, the spa and sauna and the body-massaging mattress. Hammocks, the enclosed garden and deckchairs are available on sunny days. Each season has its own appeal at Château Frankie! You can enjoy a generous brunch during your stay, including hot drinks, pastries, pancakes, eggs and a variety of other options.

Located at the edge of the rural village of Grand-Reng, this charming old residence, which has been converted into guest rooms, will surprise you with the whimsy and creativity of its facilities. Enjoy the inviting interior of this manor home, the open fireplace during bad weather, the library, the spa and sauna and the body-massaging mattress. Hammocks, the enclosed garden and deckchairs are available on sunny days. Each season has its own appeal at Château Frankie! You can enjoy a generous brunch during your stay, including hot drinks, pastries, pancakes, eggs and a variety of other options.

Located at the edge of the rural village of Grand-Reng, this charming old residence, which has been converted into guest rooms, will surprise you with the whimsy and creativity of its facilities. Enjoy the inviting interior of this manor home, the open fireplace during bad weather, the library and the body-massaging mattress. Hammocks, the enclosed garden and deckchairs are available on sunny days. Each season has its own appeal at Château Frankie! You can enjoy a generous brunch during your stay, including hot drinks, pastries, pancakes, eggs and a variety of other options. You can also enjoy the rural setting, where it is easy to relax and recharge your batteries in peace.  

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.   

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.

In 2017, one Sunday a month from March to October, we propose the families to discover the farm (the opportunity to view dates and times on our website). We will organise various workshops: tour of our facilities, direct contact and feeding of the animals, discovery of automated milking, carriage ride, milk processing workshop, bouncy castle,... Families will have the opportunity to buy and eat our self-produced dairy products and local produce on site. To participate, we ask families to register either by phone or via our e-mail address.

The small port of Erquelinnes is a pretty harbour located on the RAVel 2 route, a stone’s throw from France. Located near the Tourist Office, it provides moorings for boats for the year or just when passing through. This docking facility has practical conveniences: electric charging stations, drinking water, showers, toilets, washing machines, etc. And you can have a drink of a nearby café terrace. There is a small park with picnic benches.

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.

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.

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

Experience: Guided tour of the wine estate + tasting (min 10 pers) The Chant d'Eole wine estate is an extraordinary vineyard which offers quality products and an out-of-the-ordinary location. An extraordinary and ultra-modern setting at the foot of the vineyard provides spaces with various atmospheres and an uninterrupted view of the vines. Located in the outskirts of Mons and close to the motorway network, the Chant d'Eole wine estate is the ideal location for your events. It combines business and pleasure, since the atmosphere lends itself to business meetings but also to moments of relaxation, which entail tastings and tours of the wine storehouse

The Premonstratensian monks arrived in 1128, and in the 13th century they erected the Gothic abbey buildings, of which the cloister, kitchen and chapter house remain. The abbey was damaged by fire in 1568 and rebuilt in the early 17th century. Undamaged during the French Revolution, the buildings still comprise a seventeenth century entrance gate, an area for receiving visitors, wings of the main courtyard, the chauffoir (the only heated room in the abbey), refectory and the church, in which the 14th-century statue of Notre Dame de Bonne Espérance is venerated. In 1829, the Tournai seminary turned the abbey into an educational establishment. Building listed (22-01-1973) Listed as an exceptional heritage site of Wallonia (2009)  

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.

The terrace of the Brasserie du Domaine du Chant d'Eole is an ideal place to enjoy a glass of bubbly and a meal in the open air. Guided tours of the vineyard are available throughout the summer by prior arrangement. www.chantdeole.be/restaurant

On the rooftop perched at the top of the winery, with a breathtaking view over the vines, be transported by the gastronomic cuisine of chef Benoît Neusy. You can also book a guided tour of the estate. www.chantdeole.be/limperatif-deole

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.

A refined cuisine and gourmet creationsThe restaurant Les Gourmands is run by a passionate couple with a precise division of tasks in the kitchen. Chef Didier Bernard offers exceptional gastronomic dishes that awaken your taste buds and take you on a journey of new flavours. Each dish is a discovery of tastes, elevated by the delicious desserts of Lydia Glacé, which will delight all sweet lovers.A renowned sommelier and an exceptional wine cellarIn the dining room, Carlo Zecchin, Belgium's top sommelier, oversees an exceptional wine cellar with over 1,500 references. His passion for wine and expertise will guide you in selecting the perfect pairing for each dish, enhancing your culinary experience.Book now at Les Gourmands and discover a fine dining restaurant where every dish is a true culinary masterpiece.

Nestled in a lush green setting, the “Silex’s” is an interpretation centre dedicated to the Neolithic mines in Spiennes that will be opening its doors in April 2015 to introduce visitors to all aspects of this internationally renowned archaeological site. The centre will help to protect, promote and improve access to this archaeological site. Visitors will be able to follow educational trails around the site and in the pavilion, they will able to walk around looking over the archaeological digs. The highlight is a trip down into a real Neolithic mine 9 metres deep – you will need to book ahead for this experience, and extreme care must be taken. Come and explore this exceptional archaeological site! Recognised by UNESCO in 2000, the Spiennes mining site is one of the oldest and largest flint mining centres in Europe. Studded with thousands of shafts, the site covers 100 hectares and is 6km from Mons. It bears witness to the evolution of the first sedentary societies and is a unique research site. By digging down mine shafts up to 16 metres deep, Neolithic man developed the techniques needed to extract large slabs of slate that could weigh up to hundreds of kilograms. They also honed their knapping expertise, which is now recognised as an example of human ingenuity. Discovered in 1867, when the area was being dug out for a railway line between Mons and Chimay, the site has been excavated ever since. The oldest mines and knapping areas found there are 6,400 years old. As well as the unbelievable number of shards of flint that fill the ground at Spiennes, confirming that once the flint has been brought to the surface, it was cut there too, excavations have uncovered thousands of objects including axes, flint blades and pottery, but also the remains of wildlife and human skeletons. Nearby, an enclosed Neolithic village has also been discovered but remains as yet unexplored.

Located at the edge of the rural village of Grand-Reng, this charming old residence, which has been converted into guest rooms, will surprise you with the whimsy and creativity of its facilities. Enjoy the inviting interior of this manor home, the open fireplace during bad weather, the library, the spa and sauna and the body-massaging mattress. Hammocks, the enclosed garden and deckchairs are available on sunny days. Each season has its own appeal at Château Frankie! You can enjoy a generous brunch during your stay, including hot drinks, pastries, pancakes, eggs and a variety of other options.

Located at the edge of the rural village of Grand-Reng, this charming old residence, which has been converted into guest rooms, will surprise you with the whimsy and creativity of its facilities. Enjoy the inviting interior of this manor home, the open fireplace during bad weather, the library, the spa and sauna and the body-massaging mattress. Hammocks, the enclosed garden and deckchairs are available on sunny days. Each season has its own appeal at Château Frankie! You can enjoy a generous brunch during your stay, including hot drinks, pastries, pancakes, eggs and a variety of other options.

Located at the edge of the rural village of Grand-Reng, this charming old residence, which has been converted into guest rooms, will surprise you with the whimsy and creativity of its facilities. Enjoy the inviting interior of this manor home, the open fireplace during bad weather, the library and the body-massaging mattress. Hammocks, the enclosed garden and deckchairs are available on sunny days. Each season has its own appeal at Château Frankie! You can enjoy a generous brunch during your stay, including hot drinks, pastries, pancakes, eggs and a variety of other options. You can also enjoy the rural setting, where it is easy to relax and recharge your batteries in peace.  

This former farm, renovated with noble and eco-friendly materials, welcomes guest in an authentic and charming atmosphere. It can host up to 4 guests. https://walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/3/accommodation/eco-labelled-accommodation/les-estinnes-a-countryside-gite-in-estinnes-au-mont/7768