Cycling tour around Hotton

This River Interpretation Centre is the perfect place to discover the secret world of our rivers and their plentiful fauna and flora. Riveo offers educational areas, aquariums, a pond, a reconstruction of an arm of a river, and a thematic exhibition. Riveo also boasts 5 splendid themed gardens and a truly original crazy golf course!www.riveo.be

This water mill from 1729 really takes you back to times gone by! It was built alongside a watercourse, the second tributary of the Ourthe, that created an island (the island of Oneux) in the heart of the town. It used to be the town mill and all the inhabitants were under the obligation to resort to this mill (that belonged to the lord of the fiefdom) to have their corn ground. With this came a second obligation; that of paying a tax, called “multure” that was proportional to the quantity of grain or corn.The mill functioned up to the 1960’s and bears the name of its last owner, Mister Lucien Faber, who wished to open the mill to the public. In 1989, the mill was acquired by the Hotton council.Inside the mill, spread out over 4 floors, you can admire the ingeniousness displayed by the millers in times gone by : the machinery, the millstones, the bolter, the granary…Outside, you can admire the two wheels that are driven by a tributary of the Ourthe…You can visit the mill upon prior request ; please contact the Hotton Tourist Information Office.More information? Take a quick peek at our website: www.si-hotton.be

Towering out above the river Ourthe, the majestic Renissart rocks are a firm favourite with rock climbers The small beach at the foot of the rocks, is the perfect place for a relaxing family-day with the children !The rocks are located on the right bank of the Ourthe, stream upwards from the bridge in Hotton.There are 17 climbing routes on the « Fré DJamé » , are managed by the local potholing club and are equipped with bolting anchors.Both the rocks and the beach are listed sites

Nestling in the heart of a beautiful verdant valley, with two babbling brooks winding their way through the village, Ny boasts many traditionally built and beautiful houses and elongated farm houses, most of which date back to the 19th century.www.famenneardenne.be/en/hades_offre/ny-one-of-the-most-beautiful-villages-of-wallonia/

Nearby the Werpin church, there is picnic table ; the pefect place for a short break.

Make small detour and head towards the far end of the rue de la Vierge.The statue of the Holy Mary overlooks the village and is quite an intriguing sight. The statue is 7 meters high (11,30 if you include the base) and towers above this small rural village. It seems that the statue was erected after an epidemic plagued the village of Werpin. The statue was inaugurated on 2 September 1931, in the presence of eight to ten thousand pilgrims. Legend has it that since times immemorial the Holy Mary has protected the village and the villagers, especially during times of war.

The church is a classical edifice, that was built in 1835 in limestone and sandstone. In 1887, the choir and neo-Romanesque transept are extended.

Not far from here, you can visit the fairy-tale caves of Hotton; definitely essential sightseeing! This extraordinary natural heritage is the only cave to be fully listed as a protected site, and was even awarded two stars in the Michelin guide. Visit this cave in the entrails of the earth, and discover a variety of rooms and galleries packed with multi-coloured stalactites and stalagmites in all shapes and sizes.Caves of HottonChemin du Spéléo Club de Belgique, 1 – 6990 HottonT. +32(0)84/46.60.46info@grottesdehotton.be – www.grottesdehotton.be

Did you know that? These stunning caves were discovered by accident, when a controlled explosion in the quarry revealed the cave network and its stunning concretions. Caves of Hotton Chemin du Spéléo Club de Belgique, 1 – 6990 Hotton T. +32(0)84/46.60.46 info@grottesdehotton.be – www.grottesdehotton.be

Picnic table located in the arboretum, near the observation tower.

In this cemetery, young soldiers from across the Commonwealth rest in peace. Most of them were killed trying to fight back the Germans’ last major offensive of the war. This marked the beginning of the Battle of the Ardennes (known on the other side of the pond as the “Battle of the Bulge” in December 1944.The cemetery hosts the graves of 88 Canadians, 41 Australians and ten New Zealanders, as well as a British war correspondent and a Polish airman.