Architectural and historical patrimony

Throughout your walks in Herbeumont and its surroundings, you will find various buildings, fountains, classified houses or crosses marking a souvenir. Discover the architectural and historical heritage of Herbeumont and the region.

The future Ravel on the old railway line Bertrix-Herbeumont-Muno

Herbeumont is marked by the disused railway Herbeumont-Bertrix-Muno: it was built from 1902 to 1914 in a specific way to avoid crossings, with many bridges and 3 tunnels (Orgéo, Mortehan and with its 1396m the longer one, Sainte-Cécile, which is closed for security reasons). It served the Germans during the two wars to resupply their troops to Verdun. It is for your walks, riding and cycling in the direction Herbeumont – Bertrix

The medieval ruins of Herbeumont Castle

The medieval ruins of Herbeumont Castle are located at the top of a rocky ridge overlooking the village and the meanders of the Semois River, nestled in a green natural setting.

The castle was built by Jehan de Rochefort, son of the House of Walcourt, in 1268. Other families occupied it over time: the House of Orgeo (1268–1420), the House of La Marck-Rochefort (1420–1544), the House of Stolberg (1544–1574), and the House of Löwestein (1574–1796). The natural steepness of the mountain long made the castle inaccessible from three sides.

This irregular quadrilateral structure, about 60 m by 40 m, with six towers and a strong keep to the north, was modified many times. Its walls were reinforced during the 15th century and, to the south, flanked at each end by a solid circular tower. A second curtain wall (wall linking two towers) was added to reinforce the first one.

The castle was set on fire and destroyed by French troops under Marshal de la Ferté, on the orders of Louis XIV, on August 21, 1657.

The systematic clearing of the ruins and their surroundings was undertaken from 1973 to 1976 by the National Archaeological Service. Since 1993, the archaeological site has been listed as Exceptional Heritage of Wallonia. A first restoration phase began in 1994. Located in the south-eastern section, it consolidated the corner tower, the ramparts and the curtain walls. A second phase, started in August 1996 and located in the north-east, continued the work using the same consolidation techniques (explained during guided tours). Other phases are currently under study and should complete this large-scale restoration.

The ruins offer many remarkable viewpoints over the Semois River.

Classified as “Major Heritage of Wallonia”.
Classified as a monument and site by Royal Decree of 24-10-1938 and by Decree of the Walloon Regional Government of 07-08-1989.

Information:

Les Amis du Château ASBL – 33 rue de la Plite – B-6887 Herbeumont

Michel LEPERE: +32(0)61/413085
lepere.michel@skynet.be
http://www.amisduchateau-herbeumont.be/

Herbeumont celebrities

Herbeumont also counts a few famous names:

Serge Reding, weight lifter, silver medallist at the Mexico Olympic Games. He is buried in the cemetery of Herbeumont. A birch tree was planted in his honor near the calvary, a commemorative stele is located in the "Vivy" park.

Jean Perlot left in 1849 for California and the gold rush and returned 20 years later, his fortune made.

Marcel Leroy, a poet who evokes in his stories the Semois, his Ardennes forest ...

Georges Deleau made his career in Paris. The French government called on him for boat design. He also decorated the house of the writer Arsène Alexandre, located Ravignan place and a lounge of the basque house of Edmond Rostand.

Guy Bosquet, renowned painter, was an illustrator for the railway magazine « Le Rail ».

Saint-Roch's chapel

rue du Château 30
6887 Herbeumont

Ancien viaduc sur la Semois

rue de Bravy
6887 Herbeumont

Pierres levées en schiste

6887 Herbeumont

Eglise Saint-Nicolas

6887 Herbeumont

Moulin du Nawès ou Moulin du Deleau

6887 Herbeumont

Ancien prieuré de Conques

rue des Conques 2
6887 Conques

Fortified Castle of Bouillon

Esplanade Godefroid 1
6830 Bouillon

Originally built in the eighth century, the castle is among the oldest in Belgium. It was certainly already complete by 988 AD. Its most famous resident was Godfrey of Bouillon, leader of the First...

The Abbey of Orval : its ruins and its museums

Route d'Orval 1
6823 Villers-devant-Orval

The Abbey of Orval is one of the most remarkable Cistercian abbeys of Belgium. Come and discover this place full of History and famous for its trappiest beer in one of the most regions of Belgium :...