Winning EDEN destinations in Belgium

What makes La Louvière special?

The fifth largest city in Wallonia, La Louvière has a unique appeal for foreign visitors with attractions such as:

• 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites
• 6 museums
• the largest boat lift in Europe

Green areas and waterways crossing the city make it a great place for boat rides and being on the water. This ‘city of wolves’ has folklore and events that animate the city all year round. From carnival to ‘Week-end au Board d'Eau’, Heritage Days to ‘Décrocher la Lune’.

Cultural tourism

‘Culture is in my nature’ is La Louvière’s slogan, evidenced by its industrial past, local folklore, waterways, heritage, museums and cultural events.

Cultural tourism, cultural and creative professions are driving forces in the City of Louvière's development strategy. La Louvière was named Cultural Metropolis in 2012 and was a partner of Mons as part of ‘Mons 2015’. In recent years, many investments were made and there are future programs in place to maintain and create quality facilities (e.g. Keramis, Central and its theatre, artists' studios, a cultural economy centre etc.).

Sightseeing tips

Discover the hydraulic boatlifts that have been operational for a century, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tree-lined canal-du-centre hosts these lifts, each of them with a difference of 17 meters in level, using water as their energy source!

The mining village of Bois-du-Luc is a real live snapshot in time of the industrial heritage of the reason. This UNESCO World Heritage site Is renowned for its integrity and authenticity. Explore this working village where you can get a sense of industrialisation in a technical, architectural and social context. Walk around and immerse yourself in the daily life of a miner where improvement of well-being and social control intersect, a growing community under the watchful eye of the manager’s castle.

Visitors of La Louvière can also delight in high quality museums such as:

• Keramis, home of ceramics. The museum also supports artists and serves as a preserver of knowledge
• The Daily-Bul & Co centre, a publishing house founded by André Balthazar and Pol Bury in 1957
• The Lanchelvici museum, dedicated to the Romanian-born sculptor with a permanent collection of 50 pieces, as well as drawings centred on the human figure
• The Centre de la Gravure, the Centre of Printmaking and the Printed Image displays international artists and organises events on various aspects of print

More information

• La Louvière website (in French only)
• EDEN video about La Louvière
• EDEN contact for La Louvière: maisondutourismelalouviere [dot] be (maisondutourisme[at]lalouviere[dot]be)

Local gastronomy

In Waimes, emphasis lies on multi-sectoral gastronomic tourism offering great collaboration between the private and the public sectors, between restaurants and producers, and between gastronomy and tourism.

Waimes food tourism is based on the creation of new products and producers. Among them are two new local products: Truite d'Ondeval (trout from Ondeval) and the Valèt cheese. Here you can also sample the rare Rouge Pie de l'Est (the Eastern Belgium Red) meat.

The experience reflects the professionalism of and solidarity between all the links in the food tourism chain. Moreover, Waimes has been able to take advantage of existing sites to combine local gastronomy with them, in order to offer a coherent and unique experience for visitors.

Sightseeing tips

Enjoy a unique experience combining nature and gastronomy in Waimes.

• Outdoor and nature activities in Waimes. Take advantage of a large hiking network, notably in the High Fens area, the most extensive nature reserve in Belgium. This plateau (including the Signal de Botrange, the highest point in Belgium) features forests, lakes, and peat bogs, and plays host to unique fauna and flora, which visitors can discover during walks on duckboards.
• Year-round activity. In summer, fishing, boating, pedalos and swimming in the pure waters of Lac de Robertville will delight you. Many people also go cycling in the area. In winter, get out on the pistes – both downhill and cross-country skiing pistes are located in the area. Is it raining? Fit in a tour of the Château de Reinhardstein, or discover the wealth of what the area has to offer at the Fania exhibition.
• Foodie heaven. In Waimes, products made from local ingredients are varied and are combined with natural assets. Out-of-the-ordinary culinary activities are the result. Don't miss the foodie cruise on Lac de Robertville or the flavours festival in the park of Le Domaine des Hautes Fagnes

More information

• The official Waimes website
• The website for gastronomic experience in Waimes
• The EDEN video for Waimes
• EDEN contact for Waimes: s [dot] noelfrw [dot] be (s[dot]noel[at]frw[dot]be)

Accessibility

Louvain-la-Neuve was designed and built with the idea of making the city accessible to all. The town centre is entirely pedestrianised and the city has an approach to accessibility and mobility that takes everyone into account, whatever their age or disability. This policy is ongoing and each year a budget is earmarked for improving the city's accessibility. This includes:

• refurbishing city-centre pavements
• gradually removing inappropriate drop kerbs
• ensuring that buildings provide disabled access
• adding access ramps to certain buildings.

The tourist office offers activities and walks which are open to senior citizens, children, families and people with disabilities. The museums offer activities open to various groups, such as children and the visually impaired, without forgetting site accessibility for people with reduced mobility and children in pushchairs.

A selection of marked walks welcome families with children in prams and people with reduced mobility. A Joelette off-road wheelchair enables people with reduced mobility to take part in other walks.

Sightseeing tips

• Go on one of the many guided theme tours and discover Louvain-La-Neuve, a new pedestrian city where architects’ dreams and works of art come together.
• Follow one of the marked walks, suitable for families and persons with reduced mobility.
• Spend a day at the Bois des Rêves Provincial Estate, either relaxing at the beach, swimming pool, playground, fishponds, woods, or discovery trails, or working out at the health course, or on a mountain bike trail or walk.
• Visit the Louvain-la-Neuve Museum to discover art across civilisations and eras.
• Explore the Hergé Museum to learn about the world of the master of 'clear line' comics in a journey through Hergé’s life and works.

More information

• Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve website
• Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve EDEN video
  • long version (3 minutes)
  • short version (1 minute)
• jl [dot] rolandolln [dot] be (EDEN contact for Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve)

Regeneration and revival

Regeneration and maintenance of urban and rural sites in Marche-en-Famenne has been a major priority for the local authorities. Ten of the municipality’s most prominent landmarks have now been restored, including many architectural monuments which had suffered severe damage.

The Juniesse Tower, the only remaining section of the medieval fortress of the city, is now a lutherie school and museum, and the medieval castle of Jemeppe in the village of Hargimont is now a venue for seminars and conferences.

Several historical buildings, like the former church and college of the Jesuits, the Old Granary House or the Dochain House were converted into hotels or restaurants, offering remarkable hospitality to the thousands that visit the town.

These are just a few examples of how the local authorities are breathing new life into old sites and, through a carefully monitored restoration and redevelopment programme, are ensuring the survival of the town’s rich cultural history.

Sightseeing tips

• Visit the Museum of the Famenne, located in a beautiful 18th century house. It offers a fascinating insight into the town’s history, from prehistoric times to the present.
• Discover the stringed-instrument school and learn about the different stages involved in creating string instruments. While you’re there, don’t forget to take a look at the impressive collection of violins on display.
• Enjoy a walk in Fond des Vaulx – a valley perfect for discovering the local flora and fauna. A circuit has been specifically adapted for the needs of disabled visitors. Take a picnic and relax in the sunshine.

More information

• Marche-en-Famenne website
• Marche-en-Famenne EDEN videos
  • long version (3 minutes)
  • short version (1 minute)
• EDEN contacts for Marche-en-Famenne: infotourismemarche [dot] be (infotourisme[at]marche[dot]be )and marianne [dot] dielsmarche [dot] be (marianne[dot]diels[at]marche[dot]be)

The uniqueness of the Lacs d'eau d’heure

This site strikes an ideal balance between man-made lakes and the natural heritage that Mother Nature has granted to this region. They seem to complement each other perfectly and visitors can enjoy endless water planes, as well as the silence of the woods and the roughness of the Ardennes.

Water plays a crucial role in the region. This is also reflected through the sustainability policies employed to protect the natural heritage. The waters in the five lakes are almost stagnant, which makes the ecological balance particularly fragile. This makes water management a top priority.

Before leaving, don’t forget to...

• visit the forest adventure 'Natura Park'
• join a guided tour around the Plate Taille dam
• take a ride on the 'Red Crocodile' amphibious bus whose route goes partially on the ground and partially on the water.

More information

• Official Lacs l'eau d'heure website
• Lacs l'eau d'heure EDEN videos
  • long version (3 minutes)
  • short version (1 minute)
• infolleh [dot] be (EDEN contact for Lacs l'eau d'heure)

What makes the Viroinval Nature Park special?

The park is a walker's paradise, offering some of the most technical and spectacular jaunts through valleys and hillsides. The vista points are well-placed and the area is extremely family-oriented with picnic and barbeque areas.

For a romantic getaway, the nature park is home to Les Jardins d'O de Nismes, a fully restored campsite surrounded by brooks and streams.

Unique events and festivals throughout the year give visitors a taste of the special heritage this unmatched region has to offer.

A dedicated structural plan has been implemented to maintain the rural appearance of the villages. Several initiatives have also been adopted to keep out any intrusion of non-native plant life and measures have been taken to preserve the natural limestone grasslands.

The land and waters, along with the species that inhabit them, are of prime concern to the Viroinval Municipality. Policies have been put in place to keep visitors on marked walking paths to protect the natural habitats.

Fishing is also a major tourist attraction. This has led to a fish-breeding management plan to protect the aquatic habitat from over-fishing. The locals want their land and waters to keep its charm for many years to come.

What to look for in...

• spring - flocks of sheep grazing in picturesque meadows
• summer - countless barbeques, picnics and smiles
• autumn - fruit and wine festivals with a wonderful ambiance
• winter - brisk hikes through the dusted white hillsides.

Highlights of Viroinval Nature Park

• Romantic strolls through endless greenery
• Birds singing in the enchanting forests
• The sweet-savoury aroma of a freshly-poured bottle of beer
• Watching a meteor shower under the Milky Way.

More information

• Viroinval Nature Park website
• Viroinval Nature Park EDEN videos
  • long version (3 minutes)
  • short version (1 minute)
• secretariatpnvh [dot] be (EDEN contact for Viroinval Nature Park)

Culture

The people of Ath bring the 'Ducasse' to life. The Ducasse of Ath is a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage, according to UNESCO. The Ducasse is a procession of giants - a parade of characters that have been gathering for over five hundred years that draws watchers into a charming medieval festival.

Although the event only lasts a few days, its effect is felt in the months leading up to it – it is the key to the city’s identity. Folklore inspired from the giants and related traditions were a solid starting point for an urban revival campaign to boost the city’s image. In 1996, a project for quality tourism infrastructure presenting folklore tradition all-year round was born. That year, the city of Ath acquired a handsome town house located in the historic city centre. It was renamed the 'Giants’ House', becoming a museum of the folklore giants and it opened in October 2000.

The Giant’s House has provided Ath with a first-class way to welcome tourists, and has attracted more than 60 000 visitors since it opened. The city collaborates with the Ath tourist office and the Giants’ House to promote the Ducasse with an official poster, promotional flyers and a tourist guide.

Exploring Ath’s history, culture and traditions

Ath’s historic city centre boasts several landmarks, the oldest of which dates back to the 12th century:

• the middle-age Burbant tower, one of the major historical assets of Wallonia
• the main market square
• St Julian’s church of the late 14th century, rebuilt in a neoclassic style after being destroyed
• St Martin’s church, a gothic building dating back to the 16th century.

Four museums occupy prestigious buildings in Ath’s city centre and are worth visiting to get a taste of the local customs and traditions:

• the Gallo-Roman space combining historic treasures, reconstructions and cutting-edge technologies
• Ath's History and Folklore Museum
• the Museum of Stone and the Maffle quarry site that recalls the mining community’s memories of Maffle
• the National Museum of Real Tennis located in the 17th century town hall – tennis was practiced in Ath as early as the end of the middle ages.

One of the ways visitors can immerse themselves in the local way of life and discover its peculiarities is by paying a visit to the Giants' Brewery (Brasserie des Géants), to the mills (Moulin de la Marquise in Moulbaix or Blanc moulin in Ostiches), and to certain thematic paths dedicated to stone cutting and castles.

More information

• Official website of Ath
• Ath EDEN videos
  • long version (3 minutes)
  • short version (1 minute)
• ldubuissonath [dot] be (EDEN contact for Ath)

Personal touches

Durbuy is already a well-known destination and sees large numbers of overnight stays. The accommodation sector, mainly managed by small family businesses, offers a range of accommodation adapted to different tastes, length and type of visit. There are classic hotels, or those with an unusual personal touch, charming or unique guestrooms, camping areas, group accommodation, places for businesspeople on seminars or team-building exercises, rural cottages, farms, and holiday villages.

Even so, for several years the area has been implementing a strategy aimed at a more evenly spread out tourism season, a better targeted public and a more extensive spread of tourism activities throughout the region.

Additionally, a quality procedure has been implemented by the local administration, with tourism stakeholders acting in close partnership with citizens. This collaboration, forged over several years, has a dual objective: satisfying customers’ needs and instigating sustainable development.

Sustainable tourism

Durbuy is leading the way in efforts to establish a real policy of sustainable tourism that makes valuable use of all the material and immaterial resources in the area in terms of tourist activities. It is also trying to manage the impact of tourism and develop a dynamic communication strategy using the internet.

To ensure the tourism sector is managed flexibly and to allow on-the-ground stakeholders to mantain a sustainable partnership, Durbuy made the first steps in 2004 towards a participative approach in managing tourism. This led to a contract-inventory of 29 operational objectives being drawn up, along with 150 progress indicators.

Among these operational objectives, the following can be highlighted:

• In improving the range of tourist activities on offer:
  • improving the welcome of tourists
  • raising awareness among clients
  • offering a range of walks
  • raising Durbuy’s profile
  • making tourist reception areas more visible and more similar to each other
  • encouraging tourism stakeholders to abide by quality standards in their sector
  • taking into account the opinions of clients in improving the service provided
  • drawing up a training policy for welcome staff.
• In local development:
  • supporting the local economy through tourism
  • keeping stakeholders and citizens informed on how tourism is evolving
  • making tourist taxes more viable.
• In sustainable development:
  • favouring out-of-season tourism
  • protecting the quality of the natural environment for each attraction and activity
  • managing visit fluctuations during peak periods
  • reducing the pressures on fragile areas from tourism
  • guaranteeing the water quality in river areas suitable for bathing
  • stimulating cultural tourism
  • mitigating the various types of urban and visual pollution within the territory.
• Ethics:
  • raising awareness among tourists of their responsibilities.

More information

• Durbuy website
• Durbuy EDEN videos
  • long version (3 minutes)
  • short version (1 minute)
• adldurbuy [dot] be (EDEN contact for Durbuy)