The point of view of N.D. de Lorette

The N.D. de Lorette lookout point offers a magnificent panorama over the Lomme valley, from which you can just make out the industrial buildings of the Lhoist quarries in the distance. The main focus here, however, is the course of the Lomme itself. Clearly, here it is following the limestone strip very closely, with both sides of
the valley similar in appearance and fairly steep. Between the two slopes lies a vast horizontal area, the alluvial plain of the Lomme, through which the river snakes. Note that the course of the Lomme has been altered on numerous occasions by the hand of man, particularly during the building of the railway. The alluvial plain is made up of pebbles and fine sediments. At high water, the valley will flood, performing its natural function of accommodating the floodwaters. It will be no surprise that this area is designated a floodplain by the Wallonia Public Service (SPW).