Around the Bois de La Haye du Roeulx

Parking at Grand'Place in Le Roeulx.

(S/E) Opposite the Town Hall, turn right towards the former Saint-Jacques Hospital.

(1) At the bottom of the street, at the crossroads, turn right onto Rue du Château Saint-Pierre. Continue right along Chemin des Croix. Cross the Chaussée de Mons (watch out for traffic) and, at the next crossroads, continue to the right.

(2) At the crossroads, turn right and, when you reach the Sainte-Anne Chapel, turn left onto the dirt track. Cross Rue de la Reine and continue straight ahead through the Bois Saint-Joseph.

(3) Cross Chaussée de Soignies and continue straight ahead on Rue des Ecaussinnes.

(4) Just after the IBDE reservoir, turn left onto the small path that runs alongside the houses and continue on the path to the right. At the end of the path, turn right. Cross the crossroads and continue straight ahead.

(5) At the bottom of the hill, take the path on the left that leads to the Bois de la Haye du Roeulx. Then turn left near a pond and cross part of the woods. At the next crossroads, turn right towards the Grand Étang.

(6) At the crossroads, turn right and walk along the Grand Étang. Pass the old railway station and continue along Rue de la Station.
At the Y-junction, continue straight ahead and, at the next junction, turn left into Rue Sainte-Gertrude.

(7) Cross Square Mabille on the right and turn right onto Rue de l'Ange Gardien.

(8) At the traffic lights, turn right and cross Rue Nivelloise to head towards the castle. Turn left onto Rue Verte and then left again to head towards Saint-Nicolas Church.

(9) At the end of Place de la Chapelle, continue straight ahead along Grand Rue to return to the starting point (S/E).

This route is marked with green signs. At various points along the route, QR codes will give you additional information about where you are via your smartphone.

(S/E) The Grand'Place. Already mentioned in the 15th century, it is located on the old Nivelles-Binche road. It was, of course, a space where the market was held. "Su l'marchiet a Roes" was how it was referred to in 1469. Triangular in shape, it ended at one end with a "wel", a water basin that served as a municipal drinking trough for passing livestock. There are some remarkable buildings here:

• At No. 35, the Spanish house dating from 1727. This residence is located on the site of the old market halls. Opposite this residence was a public fountain.
• At No. 30, the Hostellerie du Cornet, which was once a small inn with stables that could accommodate around fifteen horses.
• At No. 28, the Saint-Nicolas hostel dates back to 1745. This inn, already mentioned in the 15th century, had "rooms, stables, a granary and a garden".

The Old Saint-Jacques Hospital. The founding charter of this former hospital dates from June 1202. Baudouin, a soldier, squire and bailiff of Lord Eustache du Roeulx, decided to go on a crusade. It would be the fourth of its kind, led by Baudouin IX, Count of Flanders and Hainaut.
Before his departure, in order to ensure the salvation of his soul, our bailiff gave his house and its outbuildings to his lord to establish a hospital to welcome the poor and pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
During the first four centuries, sisters and brothers of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem managed the hospital, providing care and hospitality as well as running the farm.
In 1625, the hospital service was entrusted to Augustinian sisters from Ath. They continued in this role until 2000, with the slight difference that after the French Revolution, the hospital became a civil hospice. Today, this architectural complex is owned by the CPAS. In 1974, the Royal Commission for Monuments and Sites listed the façades and roofs.

(3) Just before Montauban, it is worth stopping to enjoy the splendid view over the whole valley towards Naast and Soignies. The term Montauban is a contraction of "mont aux banalités" (mountain of banalities). During the Middle Ages, a windmill stood on this spot, which is the highest point in the area (152 m).

You cannot miss the SWDE water tower, followed by an IBDE reservoir, whose waters flow towards our capital. The town of Le Roeulx is renowned for the quality of its groundwater.

The hamlet of Rouges Terres takes its name from the red-coloured soil due to the iron oxide it contains.

(6) La Haye or Haie du Roeulx is a large wooded area dotted with ponds that stretches between the municipalities of Le Roeulx and Mignault.

The sheds and other warehouses on the edge of this woodland are a reminder that, until the early 1960s, a railway line ran through Le Roeulx. This railway line connected Houdeng and Soignies. Various factories had therefore been set up near the station. Today, this building is used by the public works department of the town of Le Roeulx. Take the time to approach one of the side walls of the old station and observe the fresco bearing the inscription 'Roeulx'! This 'sgraffito', from the Italian graffiare, is a wall decoration typical of the Art Nouveau period! In addition to the word 'Roeulx' and floral decorations, the upper part features a winged wheel, the first emblem of the Belgian railways, and, on either side, the coats of arms of Belgium and the town of Le Roeulx.

Square Mabille was conceived and designed by Léon Mabille, deputy mayor of Le Roeulx (late 19th, early 20th century). His bust stands in the centre of the park. Two commemorative plaques are scattered throughout the park. They commemorate two young resistance fighters who died on 4 September 1944 while, with a few comrades from the Secret Army, they were ambushing retreating German troops.

Le Roeulx Castle has been occupied continuously by the Princes of Croÿ-Roeulx family since the early 15th century. Antoine de Croÿ was at the time the Grand Chamberlain of Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy. In gratitude for his services, he was given the land of Le Roeulx in 1433. Illustrious figures have stayed there, including Charles V, Marie de Medici and Wellington before the Battle of Waterloo. The current brick façade dates from the mid-18th century.

In 1441, Jacqueline de Croÿ decided to found a chapel here. She was the sister of Antoine de Croÿ, the very first lord of this noble family, which had been established in Le Roeulx for nearly six centuries! This chapel, Notre-Dame de la Fontaine, was demolished during the French Revolution. However, its location has been preserved with this flowerbed adorned with two lime trees. The Church of Saint Nicholas dates from 1869, while the very first religious building dates back to 1181.
The current church, which is therefore fairly recent, is in the Neo-Gothic style. It is shaped like a Latin cross with three naves and four bays.