Discover Durbuy, Luxembourg, Luxembourg: Enchanting Gem

"The Durbuy meander cutoff ": Durbuy owes its existence to its remarkable geological setting. The town first came into existence as a military stronghold, located on a tight loop of the River Ourthe, encircling a limestone outcrop. This strategic position combined two advantages: the outcrop provided a solid vantage point on which to build the fortress, and the meander offered a natural defence against attackers. A thousand years on, it is by no means easy to imagine how the landscape would have looked at the time of this human conquest. In addition to all the building that has taken place in the intervening centuries, the course of the River Ourthe itself has also shifted. This suggested trail gives you some idea of what that initial landscape would have looked like, including an unobstructed view of the Ourthe, the line of its long-vanished branch, and a chance to observe both the large and the small Durbuy anticline. The nameof Durbuy is thought to derive from the Celtic duro-bodion, “ the dwelling place near the fortress”. As an added bonus, the trail also takes you through the old town with its well-preserved ancient houses and cobbled streets.

From Wéris, located in Famenne region, this walk veers towards the east to climb the “Rideux” pass where it enters the “Ardennes” region: It is a sweeping, vast and varied landscape spanning 900 km. It is rightly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage “Geopark” with its vast rock formation, ancient caves, castles, abbeys and museums. On top of its megalithic heritage, no one is immune to the charms of the village of “Wéris”, classified among the "Most Beautiful Villages of Wallonia". From the church, you take country roads where the stones of legends with intriguing names such as Devil's Bed or the Stone Haina are revealed. The route continues towards the “Rideux” pass: at the top is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Ardennes. The descent down into the hamlet of “Lignely” is brutal: and will stop only at the edge of the Aisne River. Cross the river to climb a challenging path that leads to “Mormont” village. Return to “Fanzel” where the last climb that joins the heights of Wéris begins. From bends to pins, you let yourself descend to the village, perched in the middle of dense forests.

The Shelter of the Valley in ErezéeAt Le Refuge de la Vallée, you can be sure to have a spelling return to your roots in its 2-"épis" bed and breakfast. You will stay in a renovated ancient bakery from which the charm of the ancient-time buildings mixed with the modern comfort emanates. The oak framework and the walls in clay are all elements that will remind you the picturesque houses of old times with delight.You are given the possibility to taste a cuisine with a certain sincerity that has a lovely local smell and that a lovely small of respect of the traditions with a bit of flavours from elsewhere. The refuge de la vallée is an ideal starting point for walks in the enchanting area of the Aisne.

The Shelter of the Valley in ErezéeAt Le Refuge de la Vallée, you can be sure to have a spelling return to your roots in its 2-"épis" bed and breakfast. You will stay in a renovated ancient bakery from which the charm of the ancient-time buildings mixed with the modern comfort emanates. The oak framework and the walls in clay are all elements that will remind you the picturesque houses of old times with delight.You are given the possibility to taste a cuisine with a certain sincerity that has a lovely local smell and that a lovely small of respect of the traditions with a bit of flavours from elsewhere. The refuge de la vallée is an ideal starting point for walks in the enchanting area of the Aisne.

Roulotte Annabelle is a restored gipsy home-on-wheels that was used by a family of fair people in the 1940s. They traveled through the country to all fairgrounds and village festivals. After stripping the old elements and carefully removing the beautiful decocracy elements, we started the reconstruction. Now it is a fully furnished mini-house with all comfort. She has a fully equipped kitchen with induction hob, tile sink, microwave, sink and fridge. After opening the beautiful original sliding doors you enter the fairytale dining and sitting room. The seat can be converted into a single bed for a third person. Then there is a walk-in shower and a toilet with washbasin. At the back you will find the romantic bedroom where you will be blissfully sleeping.

Located a few km from Hotton, Durbuy and Marche-en-Famenne, our chalet will be the ideal place for you to enjoy a pleasant momentwith family or friends in a very warm setting;but also the opportunity to discover our magnificent region of Famenne-Ardenne.​We look forward to welcoming you there very soon!Anne-Sophie & Dimitri.

Durbuy, known as the gateway to the Ardennes, has been chosen as an exceptional destination by the EDEN project as much for the charm of the city than for its focus on sustainable initiatives when it comes to tourism. visitwallonia.com/en-gb/3/where-to-go-in-wallonia/walloon-towns-and-cities/durbuy

The name Durbuy comes from the Celtic DURO-BODION or 'dwelling near the fortress'. A lack of archives and archaeological excavations means no-one really knows how long this has been the site of a castle. One document dating from 1078 refers to Dolbui castello - Durbuy Castle - which belonged to the House of Namur. From the 12th century, it became the property of the House of Luxembourg. Durbuy then became a stronghold, surrounded by walls and defended by a garrison of armed men protecting the Count of Luxembourg against nearby enemies from the region of Liège and the Abbey of Stavelot-Malmedy. Around 1340, a poem described the castle as "a great pleasure, attractive and appealing, but with little defence". Durbuy had lost its military role and the local lord, Jean de Bohême, stayed there 3 times, not to fight, but, attracted by the forests full of game, to hunt. The castle was passed down through families of engagist lords, who attempted to take as many territories as they possessed to the detriment of the population. They did not live in Durbuy, but were represented by a provost who generally occupied part of the castle. The last engagist lord was the Duke d’Ursel. On his arrival in 1725, the castle was razed by the troops of Louis XIV. Six years later, the d’Ursel family moved into a newly built castle, which they still own today.    

This was originally known as the Récollets church. It was founded in 1632 by the Récollets religious order of mendicants and preachers, and consecrated in 1642. The front part of the present church corresponds to the earliest building. The church was restored and considerably extended in the 18th century. The Dukes of Ursel, who financed the work, had their coat of arms mounted in the vaulting of the choir, bearing the date of completion of the work in 1774. After the Revolution, the church was granted to the municipality, which undertook its restoration, and became a parish church by the name of Saint Nicolas. It features some superb 16th century baptismal fonts. Adjoining the church once stood the Récollets convent, construction of which began in 1629. The site today consists of the former presbytery, buildings now used as apartments and shops, and a public garden. Opposite the church is the current entrance to the chateau (which used to be opposite the Halle aux Blés).

  What would Durbuy be without its river? Over the course of thousands of years, the river Ourthe has shaped the countryside and enveloped the limestone that defined the opposite bank in a meander that no longer exists. The course of the ancient arm of the river that turned Durbuy into an island until the 18th century can be easily traced: the river eroded the rock as far as the Hôtel du Sanglier on the right and the rocks of the anticline on the left, where it re-joined the main river. Protected by steep slopes, the small island was the ideal location for the construction of a fortress in the Middle Ages. It sprung up in the 11th century in the location of the current castle. From the 14th - 17th century, the town which developed at the foot of the castle was protected by a wall. It was 550 metres long, 6-7 metres tall and followed the river's course. At the site of the two current bridges, the wall has been interrupted with two drawbridge gates that controlled access to the town. Today, Durbuy's old town retains its medieval arrangement and confined to a steep-sided valley and isolated from important communication channels, the town has never been able to expand. Durbuy presents a nugget of old uniformity: a handful of 18th and 19th century houses, two ancient convents, a corn exchange and a castle. Nestled in green surroundings, it really is a theatrical setting dominated by the grey limestone. But is that not what makes the 'smallest city in the world' so charming?

You are now standing in front of the Durbuy Anticline, otherwise known as the Rocher de la Falize (Al Rotche al Falèye), also otherwise known as the Omalius Anticline in honour of the famous Belgian geologist Jean-Baptiste-Juliend’Omalius d’Halloy(1783-1875). It was he, one of the pioneers of geology in Belgium and Northern France who, in 1807, first described the rock in a scientific journal. The anticline is a geological phenomenon, unique by virtue of its situation, its size and its ease of observation. So, now for a brief geology lesson. The Omalius Rock is what is known as an anticlinein geological terms. An anticline is an A-shaped fold in a rock layer. Its inverse, a V-shaped fold, is known as a syncline. It is made up of well-stratified Frasnian limestones. Going back in time to the Frasnian stage, between 385 and 375 million years ago, the Geopark lay beneath the southern tropic in a warm ocean. The ocean bed was made up of alternating deposits of carbonated mud and layers of reef-building organisms (corals, sponges, etc.), forming horizontal banks. In order to take on the folded appearance we see today, these banks had to be forced out of shape. This forcing occurred when the earth’s crust was compressed. In Belgium, this happened when a mountain chain was formed some 320 million years ago (the Variscan orogeny). When the force of the pressure became too great, the banks snapped. The resulting mountain chain was subsequently eroded away to a flat, featureless surface known as a peneplain. Rivers then incised their way into this rocky base to form the landscapes we see today.

  The history of the Recollet Monastery dates back to 1625 when Laurent Lejeune, Lord of Ambly and Canon of Maastricht offered his family house at number X to the Franciscans of Liège. A stone inserted in the gable, near to the church courtyard commemorates the event. At this time of Counter Reformation, the Franciscans regularly sent monks into the countryside with the aim of protecting the population against heretics. Among them, there were Recollets who followed the Ourthe from Liège to Durbuy where witchcraft was wreaking havoc. In their house in Durbuy, the Franciscans accommodated 16 Recollet fathers. Surviving on charity, it was the financial aid and land that was given to them that the monks used to construct a chapel and a monastery on either side of the house forming a limestone quad with a cloister and a kitchen garden in the 17th century. Always ready to listen and be at the service of others, the Recollets oversaw boys' education. They also trained future monks and it can be said that their presence cultivated the little town. Following the forced departure of the monks in 1795, the monastery underwent significant transformations and irreversible alterations to accommodate a police station in the 19th century, followed by an orphanage and finally a school. The church of the Recollets was adopted by the residents of Durbuy around 1802 as their chapel, which was in a square near to the old market, had fallen into ruin. The parish priest moved into the Lejeune house which remains the presbytery today.

Let us linger for a moment outside one of the town’s iconic buildings, the Halle aux Blés or corn exchange, also known as the Spanish House. The earliest references to a building on this spot date from 1380, but the building we see today, with its extremely rare half-timbering, dates from the 16th century (around 1530- 1540) and bears witness to the economic importance of Durbuy at the time, whose lands covered what are now several different communes. Its designation as the Halle aux Blés is somewhat misleading, and dates from the 19th century. The building in fact served a number of different purposes, housing both a covered market and the magistracy (the administrative and judicial centre for the county). The town declined in importance in the 17th century, as a result of the Thirty Years War and the disappearance of the iron-founding industry. The building fell into disrepair and the rear half, which had housed the covered market, had to be demolished in 1639. In the 18th century, it underwent further transformations but retained its role as the town hall until the end of the century. The building is now listed as an outstanding example of Wallonian heritage (as of 23/11/1976) and is home to the Durbuy Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.

The town of Durbuy grew up on an island encircled by a meander cutoff of the River Ourthe, a position of great strategic importance. The site relied for its defence on the river surrounding the fortified enclosure, and on the castle, built on a rocky spur. It was not until the 18th century that the meander was drained and filled in, leaving the dry bed of the former course where you now stand. Facing you stands the Chateau. The town of Durbuy, first mentioned in written records in 1078, owes its existence to the castle. This landmark has had a chequered history, falling prey over the course of time to fire, dilapidation and destruction, alternating with periods of reconstruction. In its earliest form, the fortress was built primarily for military purposes, consisting of a platform on which stood a number of buildings and towers making up the fortifications. Accommodation was restricted to the bare minimum. From the 15th century onwards, the castle was to offer more comfortable quarters as rooms were added on the town side of the keep. The castle survived a number of wars before finally being razed by French troops in the 17th century. In 1731, the Duc d’Ursel, lord of Durbuy from 1726, embarked on its reconstruction. What he built, however, was not a fortress but a château, a courtly residence on the banks of the Ourthe. The chateau underwent further radical changes around 1880- 1882, giving it the neo-Gothic style it retains to this day. As the riverbank reveals, the base of the chateau rests on the limestone rock itself, providing solid foundations for the chateau. Between the chateau and the cutoff stands an impressive folded rock formation:the small anticline (geological details below). This anticline, along with outcrops along the course of the Ourthe, reveals the existence of a rock several metres in height on which the chateau is built, makingit a natural vantage point over the surrounding terrain.

visitwallonia.com/en-gb/content/durbuys-museum-modern-and-contemporary-art

This is the oldest building in Durbuy. It dates from the 16th century and forms part of Wallonia's exceptional heritage. Its existence is linked to the town status that Durbuy received from the House of Luxembourg more than 700 years ago. In one document dating from 1331, Jean de Bohême confirmed Durbuy's role as a stronghold and as an administrative and judicial centre. In order to fulfil all its roles, the town needed a public building. The original Market existed until the 14th century when it burned down. A new one was constructed around 1530 entirely from wood and cob and, twice as long as it is today, the building housed the offices where the mayor, the councillors, the urban militia and the provost who presided over the courts and the magistrates met. At the back, the building has a vast covered market that was removed in 1630. Gradually  the half-timbering was replaced with limestone as it required too much maintenance. The loft was occasionally used to store grain, which is why the building was subsequently named the 'Corn Exchange'. In the 19th century, the building became a dwelling.   Recently, archaeological research has allowed focussed restoration and the reassignment of the public building to an exhibition centre. The restoration work combined ancient techniques with modern ones, and introduced contemporary elements in metal, new wood and glass, while being careful to preserve the original features, such as the remarkable half-timbered gable.

In Wéris, one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia, 250 m from the megalithic house, Michelin-starred chef Mario Hélias welcomes you for a gastronomic experience. From his kitchen, visible from the restaurant, he offers you his interpretation of modern, creative cuisine, in harmony with the seasons and local produce. It is also possible to stay overnight. www.lecordechasse.be

La Lisière, near Durbuy, offers a stunning stay in the Ardenne. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/la-lisiere-guesthouse-durbuy

www.aubouquetdesomme.be

Grandhan is a peaceful village in the Ourthe valley, just 5 km from Durbuy. At its very heart, a 19th-century dairy farm hosts 3 independent gîtes, one being Au Soleil Couchant, fit for up to 26 guests. Its stone walls and vaulted ceiling, add to an enchanting atmosphere... visitwallonia.com/en-gb/3/accommodation/eco-labelled-accommodation/au-soleil-couchant-a-farm-gite-in-grandhan/11191

Grandhan is a delightful village in the Ourthe valley, just 5 km from Durbuy. At its very heart, a 19th-century dairy farm hosts 3 independent gîtes, one being Au cap. Nestled in the former hay barn, this comfortable, furnished lodging for 2 guarantees the most peaceful stay. Settle on the terrace and enjoy the lovely view on the nearby meadows and woodlands... walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/3/accommodation/eco-labelled-accommodation/au-cap-gite-a-farm-gite-in-grandhan/13032

Grandhan is a peaceful village in the Ourthe valley, just 5 km from Durbuy. At its very heart, a 19th-century dairy farm hosts 3 independent gîtes, one being Au Soleil Levant, fit for up to 24 guests. Set in the former barn, its large bay window proves perfect to admire nature along the seasons... walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/3/accommodation/eco-labelled-accommodation/au-soleil-levant-a-farm-gite-in-grandhan/13201

Discover a holiday resort awarded the label "Tourism for all", offering quality stays for individuals and groups. The site can also help organise seminars and private celebrations for a wide range of budgets. visitwallonia.com/en-gb/3/accommodation/eco-labelled-accommodation/mont-des-pins-asbl-fraternite/12305

A peaceful camping along the Ourthe, ideal for nature lovers visitwallonia.com/en-gb/content/durbuy-international-camping

This 17th-century farm, in the Ourthe valley, was beautifully renovated into a guesthouse. www.ferme-houard.be