Marpent, 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. 

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. 

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. 

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.  

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.

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/

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 https://walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/produit/attractions/activites/nature-reserve/natural-space/nature-reserve/9383

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 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)  

Founded in 1130 by the canons of the Order of Prémontré, the Norbertine Bonne-Espérance Abbey, in the municipality of Vellereille-les-Brayeux in Estinnes, is the only one in Hainaut that was spared from the ravages of the French Revolution. As it stands today, it is a remarkable example of 18th century architecture, which has managed to keep intact all the elements of Gothic architecture from the 13th and 16th centuries such as the cloisters, the chapter house and the kitchen. Designed by the famous architect Laurent Dewez, the abbaliale church, promoted to the ranks of basilica, was built in a Neoclassical style. It is dedicated to Our Lady of Good Hope, whose polychrome stone statue dates back to the 14th century. Bonne-Espérance Abbey has now achieved real cult status, welcoming pilgrims including the Dauphin Louis XI, King Philip II of Spain and the archdukes Albert and Isabelle.

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.

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.

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

https://oboulo.be/fr

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.

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/

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.