Province of Hainaut

- 66 KM -4 h

PROVINCE OF HAINAUT

Regional products an heritage

in the “Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse”!
On the move all summer!

In BRUSSELS, from 25 June to 3 September, the “Tourism and Gastronomy" exhibition will offer you a chance to discover the many assets and treasures of Wallonia. Every two weeks, one Province will be given pride of place. However, we know there’s nothing like getting out and about if you’re looking for an in-depth experience, so why not try one of our “Gastronomic Treasure Trails"?

All the treasure trails are free and available from 25 June to 16 September 2012, (except for the Charleroi Pays de Geminiacum Treasure Trail). Simply turn up on one of the dates mentioned below and enjoy a delicious free welcome treat to send you on your way!

Province of Walloon Brabant
NIVELLES / Along the streets / On foot / Free breakfasts on Sundays 1 and 8 July
Rural excursion / By bicycle
Rural excursion in the “Roman Païs” / By car
Province of Liège
LIEGE
EUPEN / The historic centre of Liège / On foot / Free breakfasts on Saturdays 14 and 21 July
An encounter with Tchantchès and Simenon / On foot
The Eastern Cantons: nature, lakes and regional specialities / By car / Free breakfasts on Sundays 15 and 22 July
Province of Namur
NAMUR / Namur for the inquisitive and for gourmets / On foot / Free breakfasts on Wednesdays 1 and 8 August
Castles, vineyards and farms around Namur / By car
Province of Hainaut
CHARLEROI
MONS
TOURNAI / The Charleroi region, as you have never seen it before! / On foot / Free breakfasts on Saturdays 11 and 18 August
Regional products and heritage in the “Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse” / By bicycle or car
Pays de Geminiacum treasure trail / By car or bicycle / Treasure trail available only on Wednesdays 15 and 22 August
Heritage, Tourism and Gastronomy at the heart of Mons / On foot / Free breakfasts on Saturday 11 August – Free afternoon snacks on Saturday 18 August
From the “Château Montois” to “Caillou-qui-bique” / By car / Free breakfasts on Saturday 11 August
From “Caillou-qui-bique” to the “Château Montois” / By car / Free afternoon snacks on Saturday 18 August
The historic heart of Tournai / On foot / Free breakfasts on Saturdays 11 and 18 August
Landscapes of the Escaut plain / By car
Province of Belgian Luxembourg
ARLON / A small breath of Arlon air / On foot / Free breakfasts on Saturday 25 August and Sunday 2 September
A large breath of Arlon air / On foot

INFORMATION: – Freephone: 0800 11901 (in French)

or 0800 11902 (in German)

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SNCB BELGIAN RAILWAYS, TRAVEL SMART!

Travel to the starting points of our treasure trails with a “Weekend” ticket, which offers you a 50% discount on the price of a return journey by train.

If you are doing one of the treasure trails on a weekday in July and August, opt for the “Summer” ticket which also offers you discount on the price of a return journey by train.

For more information, visit

THE SUMMER GASTRONOMY TREASURE TRAILS

Discovering Wallonia, from Tournai to Eupen,

from Nivelles to Arlon...

Does the summer sunshine make you want to get out and about?

Starting at the Espaces Wallonie, roads, streets, paths and tracks will lead you over hills and down valleys to discover the treasures of Wallonia. Heritage, gastronomy, landscapes and outstanding historic sites - there is something for everyone.

To ensure all participants, especially the gourmets, get off to the best of starts with a full stomach, free breakfasts or afternoon snacks will be available on certain days.

And, before starting your trails, why not find out more about the wealth of services offered by the Espaces Wallonie: from information about housing to debt conselling, from Equal Opportunities to the regional, federal and community mediation services, plus a range of regional publications and exhibitions. In short, a modern administration, close to your needs and ready to answer all your questions.

But, enough said, now it’s time to get on your bicycle, pull on your walking boots, or climb inro your car and take to the road...

COMPETITIONS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER...

for those who enjoy a challenge...

The guide to each treasure trail includes a set of questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided, drop it off at the Espace Wallonie reception or letterbox when you have finished and you could win a prize!

Prizes

Every month:

A gourmet basket worth €60 will be awarded to the first correctly completed answer form pulled out of the hat at the end of July, end of August and end of Septembe in each participating Espace Wallonie.

(Except for the Pays de Geminiacum treasure trail, where the prize draws will be held on 15 and 22 August only for a gourmet basket worth €50).

On the days when free breakfasts or afternoon snacks are offered (see table)

A voucher worth €150 for accommodation in Wallonia.

The prize draws will take place on the first working day following these days.

Two free return tickets for second-class travel on Belgian railways

offered by SNCB Belgian Railways. The prize draws will take place on the first working day following these days.

Prize winners will be informed by email, telephone or post.

Will you be the “Gourmet treasure trail (wo)man” of the summer?

There will be another prize draw for a special prize for participants who submit completed questionnaires for at least one treasure trail per province between 25 June and 16 September. To enter this draw, please ask for your entries to be validated at each Espace Wallonie.

The prize is a voucher worth €500 for accommodation in Wallonia and the draw will be held at the end of September.

PROVINCE OF HAINAUT

Regional products and heritage inthe Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse

Bonus!

Free breakfasts on Sundays 11 and 18 August, from 9am to 10am at the ESPACE WALLONIE DE CHARLEROI, 3 Rue de France, 6000 CHARLEROI.

On these days, final departure at 4pm. Completed answer forms must be placed in the box at the Espace Wallonie before 6pm.

This treasure trail is free of charge and is open to all from 25 June to 16 September

Treasure trail by bicycle or car

Duration: about 3 hours

Length: 65 km (Starts at Charleroi and ends at Gerpinnes)

Accessible by accompanied reduced-mobility participants

On two or four wheels, this 65km treasure trail will take you to the heart of the magnificent Entre Sambre-et-Meuse district, a short distance from Charleroi. The district is famous for its colourful folklore processions and for the L’Eau d'Heure Lakes Centre: this time we will introduce you to its heritage buildings and regional gastronomic specialties. Peaceful country roads will lead you to remarkable historic buildings (including castles, churches and shrines) and to places where you can enjoy a glass of buckwheat beer on a sunny terrace, taste some delicious cheese or enjoy a meal at a famous restaurant. This half-day circuit will take you to farms, shops and restaurants in the region. Armed with your map, accompanied by your family or friends, follow your heart’s desire...

INFORMATION and CONTACTS:

• From Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 5pm: ESPACE WALLONIE DE CHARLEROI, 3, Rue de France, 6000 CHARLEROI. Tel: +32 (0)71206 080, e-mail:
• At weekends:
• PAYS DE CHARLEROI TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE, 20, Place Charles II, 6000 CHARLEROI. Tel: +32 (0)71861414, e-mail:
• CERFONTAINE TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE, 9, Place de l’Eglise, 5620 CERFONTAINE. Tel: +32 (0)71644667

MISCELLANEOUS:

• For groups of more than 10 people:

Please let us know in advance that you will be doing the treasure trail by e-mail or telephone.

ROAD BOOK

Regional products and heritage of the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse

Important note:

Although this treasure trail can be followed at any time, the farms, restaurants and shops along the way have their own opening hours. To ensure you enjoy the treasure trail as much as possible, please check these opening hours when planning your journey. For more information, please consult

The complete road book may be downloaded in gpx format from

Start at the Espace Wallonie in Charleroi.

Make your way down the Rue de France and turn left into the Boulevard de l’Yser, then the Boulevard Audent. At the roundabout, take the third exit (Rue du Pont Neuf) and at the second roundabout, take the first exit (towards Philippeville).

At the Couillet roundabout under the R3 motorway, take the second exit (towards Philippeville). After a few kilometres, you will come to the statue of a drum-major at the Bultia roundabout, where you should take the first exit towards Gerpinnes.

After 5km, you will arrive at the Place des Combattants in Gerpinnes.

Park your vehicle and go into St Michael’s church.

(If you prefer, you could also start the treasure trail at the Tourist Information Centre in Cerfontaine, near the L’Eau d'Heure Lakes Centre.)

Question 1: The relics of which Saint are preserved in a shrine visible in St Michael’schurch?

Km 0With your back to the church, turn left into the Rue Albert Bernard. Pass the Rue de la Régence and the Musée des Marches (folklore processions museum) on the left. The Museum is open every weekend from May to September, from 2pm to 6pm (except in July). At the end of the street, turn left onto the Rue Reine Astrid (N975), then left again onto the Rue du Parc Saint-Adrien which becomes the Rue Albert Bodson, and then the Rue des Flaches (heading towards Charleroi). On the right, at N°42, you will find Raz-Buzée Farm.

Km 1.5:Local produce shop at La Ferme de Raz-Buzée.

42, Rue des Flaches, 6280 Les Flaches

Tel: +32 (0)71 504497

Local cheeses on sale include Rigodon, Tomme de Raz Buzée, Mistigote, and Brie Belge.

The farm shop is open every day except Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 6pm, and from 1pm to 6pm on Wednesday and Friday. Group visits by prior appointment only.

Km 3.3: Leave the farm and return to the Rue des Flaches, then turn left at the crossroads (Rue Joseph Van Brusselt) then, at the next crossroads, turn left again onto the Rue de Tarcienne, which becomes the Rue Py des Tiennes. Turn right onto the Rue des Acquois, then left onto the Rue Sainte-Face, then right on to the Rue du Centre. Pass through Tarcienne and, next to the castle, turn left onto the Rue Chauvrée.

Question 2:Between Flaches and Tarcienne, you will see several discreet red and white paint marks, waymarking a long-distance footpath (Grande Randonnée or GR). What number is the GR which crosses Gerpinnes from West to East?

Km 7.6:At the crossroads, turn right towards Somzée (N978). Go straight over the next two crossroads, and continue straight ahead along the Rue de l’Espenne. At the white chapel, follow the sign to Gourdinne and turn right along the Rue de Bellevue, making sure not to miss the beautiful views over the Thyria valley on the left. Pass through Gourdinne along the Rue d’En Haut and the Rue de la Brasserie.

Question 3:As you leave Gourdinne, not far from the Old Brewery, what date can be read on the attractive chapel dedicated to St Roch?

Km 12.7:Enter Thy-le-Château by turning left onto the Rue du Fourneau, then take the Rue du Chéniat and drive past the Saint-Eloi rolling mills, all that remains of large-scale industrial activity in Thy-le-Château. At the centre of the village, cross the RAVeL“green path” and turn right onto the Rue des Marroniers and make your way to the castle.

Heritage point: The Castle of Thy-le-Château.

A fortress has existed here since the twelfth century and, according to legend, it was to the same plan as Tyre Castle (today known as Sour in Lebanon) according to details brought back by a crusader knight. What is certain is that,by 1380, the castle was associated with the name of the village: Thier-le-Chastiau (“Castle-on-the-hill”), as it was called then. However, the the castle was burned down by French revolutionaries in 1790 and remained a ruin for many years before being turned into a barn and then a brewery. Entirely rebuilt between 1928 and 1931 by Louis Piret, the owner of the rolling mills at the bottom of the valley, which were the main source of wealth in the village at the time, the castle was again severely damaged in 1940 when an ammunitions convoy exploded and it was later restored again to its present-day condition.

Go past the castle gatehouse and drive around the castle wall along the Rue Massart, then take the hairpin bend to the right onto the Chemin des Menuiers, towards Rognée. Along the way, you will see Lorge Farm.

Km 15:Local produce shop at La Ferme Lorge

42, Rue des Meuniers, 5650 Thy-le-Château

Tel: +32 (0)71611217

Dairy and other farm produce.

Question 4:What is special about the butter available at Lorge Farm?

Km 16.3:Continue along the Rue des Meuniers, passing Thy-le-Château Mill, a listed building, on the right.

Question 5:What is the name of the waterway spanned by a small bridge shortly after the Mill?

Km 17:Turn left onto the Rue du Souvenir, towards Pry. Pass through the village, go past the former town hall, then take the Rue du Paucras and the Rue de Pry. At the crossroads, turn right along the Route des Barrages towards Walcourt.

Km 21.9:Just before the bridge over the road, turn right onto the narrow Rue du Cour du Juge, which becomes the Rue du Jardinet, then follow signs to theHostellerie Dispa. Cross the bridge and make your way to the Dispa Inn.

Km 22.3:Local produce sales point: Hostellerie Dispa.

The inn serves gourmet cuisine made with the best seasonal, regional produce.

7, Rue du Jardinet, 5650 Walcourt

Tel: +32 (0)71611423

Open every day for lunch and dinner, except Tuesdays and Wednesdays (advance booking recommended).

Continue along the Rue du Jardinet, then turn right onto the Rue de la Station, heading towards the centre of Walcourt. Make your way to the Grand’Place.

Km 23.2:Heritage point: Walcourt basilica church and ramparts

In the olden days, the grimaces of the gargoyles on the then collegiate church (not yet a basilica) served to scare away demons and evil spirits. You will see the castle walls 300m below the square in front of the church. In this small area, protected by Our Lady to the South and the lord of the manor to the North, are dozens of tiny houses tightly packed together and only separated by narrow lanes where pedestrians struggle to pass one another. This is because land was at a premium on this rocky outcrop above the confluence of the L’Eau d’Heure and the L’Eau d’Yves rivers. On the other bank of the river, fortified walls and a wide ditch protected the town from an attack from the plain. In a short walk, you will be able to spot tell-tale signs of the town’s history: the narrow streets below the arches of the medieval walls, the outline of one of the town gates in the wall and the ruins of defence towers.

Question 6:Which historical character does the fountain on the Grand'Place refer to?

After enjoying some refreshments on the terrace of one of the bars on the Grand'Place, go back to your vehicle and continue through Walcourt along the Rue Notre-Dame, then turn left onto the Route des Barrages towards Cerfontaine (N978) and continue as far as Silenrieux.

Km 26.7:Local produce sales point: Silenrieux Brewery.

Rue Noupré, 5630 Silenrieux

Tel: +32 (0)71 633201

Wide range of beers on sale, including Sara, Sara Bio, Joseph, Joseph Bio, Pavé de l’Ours and Autruche. Tastings available.

Group visits by prior appointment only.

Continue along the Route des Barrages towards Cerfontaine. Pass the Ri Jaune Lake, then the road changes its name to the Rue de Falemprise. Pass the Falemprise Lake.

Question 7: In total, how many lakes make up the L’Eau d’Heure Lakes complex?

Question 8: How many kilometres of shoreline are there at the L’Eau d’Heure Lakes? (Clue: it’s more than the Belgian coastline!)

Created in the 1970s to maintain water levels in the River Sambre, the L’Eau d’Heure Lakes Centre is home to the largest dam in Belgium and boasts a watersports centre covering 600 hectares, 600 hectares of forest and 600 heactares of meadows. The L’Eau d’Heure Lakes Centre recently joined Durbuy, Ath and Viroinval, as a European Destination of Excellence (“EDEN”). The watersports activities take place in three centres: the Aquacentre, the Plate-Taille Visitor Centre and the Relais de Falemprise. Visitors can enjoy more than 25 varied activities (including sailing, water-skiing, diving, mountain biking, catamaran sailing, and much more). The Lakes Park is also crossed by several waymarked tourist trails and is open all year round.The Reception Centre provides information to visitors and is open every day of the year. Please note that some activities are only available at certain times of the year.